Technician interview - advice please

hails

hails

Hey guys.
After teching for 3 years I left my post to give teaching a go. It wasn't for me so I'm back on the job market and have a science technician interview on Friday (because honestly, I just love this job)
As part of the interview I have a practical session where I have to make up a standard solution. To me that means I'll have to weigh out the correct amount of a solid and make a molar solution. But if anyone has any other interpretations of this I'd love to hear it.
The job is specifically for a Biology technician (my specialism) in an 11-18 school. Previously I worked in an 11-16 school across all three sciences. I've been reading up on the KS5 specification and associated required practicals (the school uses AQA for Science) but is there anything else I should do to prepare?
Basically, I really want this job and would be massively grateful for any advice you guys could give me. I'm nervous as hell about this interview and I'm worried I'll mess up somehow.
Thanks in advance x
 
If they have already mentioned that you are making a standard solution, the only other option I can think of would be to give you one concentration of a liquid chemical and get you to dilute to a specified concentration. But it sounds like you comfortably know what you are doing, good luck!
 
hails said:
Hey guys.
After teching for 3 years I left my post to give teaching a go. It wasn't for me so I'm back on the job market and have a science technician interview on Friday (because honestly, I just love this job)
As part of the interview I have a practical session where I have to make up a standard solution. To me that means I'll have to weigh out the correct amount of a solid and make a molar solution. But if anyone has any other interpretations of this I'd love to hear it.
The job is specifically for a Biology technician (my specialism) in an 11-18 school. Previously I worked in an 11-16 school across all three sciences. I've been reading up on the KS5 specification and associated required practicals (the school uses AQA for Science) but is there anything else I should do to prepare?
Basically, I really want this job and would be massively grateful for any advice you guys could give me. I'm nervous as hell about this interview and I'm worried I'll mess up somehow.
Thanks in advance x
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I'm sure it will be making up a molar solution as you described.

And tbh if a keen, experienced, specialist technician comes to interview most schools will be biting your hand off :) Good luck !
 
hails said:
Hey guys.
After teching for 3 years I left my post to give teaching a go. It wasn't for me so I'm back on the job market and have a science technician interview on Friday (because honestly, I just love this job)
As part of the interview I have a practical session where I have to make up a standard solution. To me that means I'll have to weigh out the correct amount of a solid and make a molar solution. But if anyone has any other interpretations of this I'd love to hear it.
The job is specifically for a Biology technician (my specialism) in an 11-18 school. Previously I worked in an 11-16 school across all three sciences. I've been reading up on the KS5 specification and associated required practicals (the school uses AQA for Science) but is there anything else I should do to prepare?
Basically, I really want this job and would be massively grateful for any advice you guys could give me. I'm nervous as hell about this interview and I'm worried I'll mess up somehow.
Thanks in advance x
Click to expand...
If I was the person conducting the interview I would expect the candidate to understand and know how to access the information to carry out this task safely . Health and safety first !

First you will need the Recipe sheet for this chemical . Follow the instructions on the sheet , all the information to make up the solution is on there . CLEAPSS

Do not forget water first then acid . Do not put in the acid then dilute with water assuming you are diluting an acid.

In conjunction you will need the Hazard card .

Before carrying out the task make sure you plan how you will do this safely . Correct PPE etc

Label the solution correctly with the correct hazard label.

Show the interviewer you know your subject and are prepared to ask if in doubt .

Understand

Health and safety
Safeguarding
Dealing with conflict if two teachers ask for the same item
Problem solving etc
 
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Hails you are right in your interpretation from what you are saying. Just to clarify, making a standard solution and standardizing a solution are different processes.

Making a standard solution involves the use of a solid (eg anhydrous sodium carbonate) to make a solution of accurately known concentration. This means accurate weighing, transfer and measuring using a volumetric flask.

Standardizing a solution involves finding out the accurate concentration of a solution using an already made standard. This will involve a titration.

Other than tips already given, I would say ensure you rinse out containers, funnel and any equipment like spatulas/glass rods carefully with distilled water and transfer the washings into the volumetric flask to ensure proper transfer of all the solid.
 
I'm Physics so I can't answer the solution aspects but.. as for the nerves and the worry of messing it up: try to relax because ironically, it's probably only the nerves that could mess it up for you.

A certain amount of nerves should be expected and it shows it matters to you. If you're experienced and keen, that puts you near, or at the front of the queue.
They'll know what they're looking for and if you have it, they'll see it.
Good luck!
 
Totally agree with paul r's reply!

We interviewed last week and gave them the task of making up an accurate solution. The one who got the job read the instructions carefully and followed them to the letter. This candidate talked us through what they were doing, and why, and wasn't afraid to ask a couple of things to clarify what was needed. They had researched the school, and came across as really keen and personable. Win win :)

Sounds like you have prepared thoroughly, so you'll be fine! All the very best, hails....and do let us know how you get on.
 
I am a lone science technician in a sixth form college, providing practicals for all three sciences. On my interview I was asked to prepare buffer solutions of a certain pH from given chemicals, also to prepare acid and base solution of a certain molarity. They were interested more in the maths skills as apparently a previous science technician was not very efficient.
 
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Good luck. Thanks for the tips on what to ask an applicant. I wasn't even shown round the place. The then HT (later sacked) was more interested in my M.Ed for the school brochure. Then again I was replacing an office worker who fancied a go at science and a retired shopkeeper come lunchtime supervisor who was asked to stand in for said office lady!
HOD has started the advert for my replacement, he asked if I thought someone as old as me could do the job or would he be better with a young person......ahahhah
 
Annie said:
Aside from the very badly considered remark, I'm pretty sure he isn't allowed to ask that anyway since he is suggesting it will influence his hiring decision...
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When at worked at the last place my head was looking to (long overdue) recruit a replacement to assist me, told me we needed to look for someone young as it'd be hard for me to work with an older person!

I was utterly shocked by that remark, he told me that we could never admit it but that was one of the criteria he'd have...

:serious:
 
CrowyTech said:
When at worked at the last place my head was looking to (long overdue) recruit a replacement to assist me, told me we needed to look for someone young as it'd be hard for me to work with an older person!

I was utterly shocked by that remark, he told me that we could never admit it but that was one of the criteria he'd have...

:serious:
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So in telling you he also (thought he) bound you to confidentiality with it? Nice touch...
 
Annie said:
Aside from the very badly considered remark, I'm pretty sure he isn't allowed to ask that anyway since he is suggesting it will influence his hiring decision...
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Indeed, he once told me that if he had been HOD at that time I wouldn't have been chosen because I'm overweight …...I can lose weight but he'll always be a ****. At the recent department meeting he told his colleagues that they needed to step up and do more and that they should be working at home as that is compulsory....I wonder if the new HT has noticed that he is last in and first out.
 
I set a task once for an interview where I asked them to set out one set of equipment for a dissection when given the sheet and the correct cupboard. They were told to ask if there was anything they were unsure of and that I would be in the next room.

The job went to the one who asked me for the piece of equipment that was missing from the cupboard.
 
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