[Histonet] Interview Questions

Thu Jan 26 15:39:59 CST 2012

Joe,

I would never wear a denim miniskirt!

Regards 
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) 
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist 
Tel: 612 9845 3306 
Fax: 612 9845 3318 
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Joe Nocito
Sent: Thursday, 26 January 2012 11:14 AM
To: joelle weaver; trathborne <@t> somerset-healthcare.com; billodonnell <@t> catholichealth.net; sbreeden <@t> nmda.nmsu.edu; Histonet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Interview Questions

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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