[Histonet] Interview Questions

Wed Jan 25 18:14:13 CST 2012

I used to give a 10 question test on general histology. I also had the 
expected answers written down and on my copy. Was accused once of being a 
racist. What saved me was having the answers in front of me. The person 
didn't get one answer correct. I had a couple of embedding questions, some 
cutting, special stains, immunos and some QC questions. I gave the 
interviewee the test while I was reviewing their resume. I would also see 
what their facial expressions were too. I had one person tell me they didn't 
do specials or immunos and didn't like embedding either. When I asked if 
they liked filing blocks and slides, they really would rather have a lab 
aide do it. This person didn't have to finish the test. Too make matters 
worse, she wore a denim miniskirt to boot. Just my three cents

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joelle weaver" <joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com>
To: <trathborne <@t> somerset-healthcare.com>; <billodonnell <@t> catholichealth.net>; 
<sbreeden <@t> nmda.nmsu.edu>; "Histonet" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:02 PM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Interview Questions

Love this! I always want to do demonstration during technical interviews, 
but usually get "shot down" from managers and argued with in general,  as in 
people don't feel that they should have to "prove" they can do histology. 
This perception,  I never got, because I always saw it as in a job 
interview-in what other situation are you more trying to "prove" or impress 
with your knowledge, attitude, skills and experience?  If you do bench work, 
you can tell in just a few minutes of observation much more information than 
you could get with quite a few questions. To be fair, I take into account 
nervousness, being closely observed, and lack of familiarity with equipment 
etc. I don't know, I think its fair if those are important skills to the 
position/role. Was not sure if Sara's job was mostly technical though, so 
thought I might keep it general.

Joelle Weaver MAOM, (HTL) ASCP

http://www.linkedin.com/in/joelleweaver

 > From: trathborne <@t> somerset-healthcare.com
> To: billodonnell <@t> catholichealth.net; sbreeden <@t> nmda.nmsu.edu; 
> histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:47:01 +0000
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Interview Questions
> CC:
>
> If your replacement will be doing actual histology, will your institution 
> permit the applicant to embed and cut? Can you sit down at a multi-head 
> scope and review slides with them?
> What will the person be responsible for? Do they have experience with all 
> of these tasks? What would they do in a crisis situation (you can make up 
> one yourself that would be plausible).
> People who volunteer in their personal lives, may do the same at work. Ask 
> how they juggle their schedule though, if there is a lot going on in their 
> personal lives. Be careful with how you ask these questions though. Your 
> HR department should be able to give you guidance in how to phrase things.
> Good luck.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, 
> Bill
> Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:19 PM
> To: Breeden, Sara; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Interview Questions
>
> It would seem that questions like "How do you feel about cannibalism?"
> might also be out but might be far more helpful; than "phone" questions.
>
>
> On the serious side, when I was much younger I hired a person who was able 
> to answer all the right "histo" questions and so I hired him. He turned 
> out to be a poser, who, shortly after I fired him showed up at a local 
> university with a lab coat that listed him as "Dr." He had indeed worked 
> in a histo lab, but as a lab assistant, and so the the understanding of 
> what a histologist does was well rehearsed. (BTW, it topok me about two 
> weeks to catch on, though the more experienced techs in the department 
> figured it out almost right away)
>
> To be fair, it was during a time in hiring history when HR departments 
> were not willing to give useful reference data and there were only a 
> handful of questions they would even ask when checking. None of them were 
> particularly useful or telling. For inistance, they would not ask if the 
> person was an histo tech, but would simply ask, did he indeed work at your 
> institution?
>
> The place where I worked required little or nothing for proof of 
> experience. There was no background check either.
>
> Today, however, reference checking is a lot easier and more reliable.
>
> I guess my point here is that a good reference check needs to be done as 
> well weeding them out by histo questions.  I'm sure your HR folks will do 
> a fine job of this.
>
> Also, once you have determined that they actually have the skills, or a 
> realistic potential of gaining them, questions concerning dynamics of 
> interaction are appropriate, though may lead to wrong impressions in the 
> mind of the applicant.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Breeden, 
> Sara
> Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:52 AM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Interview Questions
>
> So far, I am TOTALLY impressed and so grateful for your suggestions.
> And here's why... did I ever tell anyone out there what the FIRST
> question I was asked by the pathologist at my interview?   It was.....
> (wait for it....)
>
>
>
> "How do you feel about personal phone calls?".  Un-freakin' believable.
> I sure don't want someone to remember ME that way!!!
>
>
>
> Sally Breeden, HT(ASCP)
>
> New Mexico Department of Agriculture
>
> Veterinary Diagnostic Services
>
> 1101 Camino de Salud NE
>
> Albuquerque, NM  87102
>
> 505-383-9278 (Histology Lab)
>
>
>
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