What to wear to a lab interview?

Introduction

Labs are spaces of research and are home to elements both safe and otherwise. Working at a lab would ideally mean that you are expected to be very careful and vigilant. Multiple responsibilities fall on the shoulders of a lab technician. Starting with the proper storage of chemicals and specimens to their disposal in the right way. They have to ensure that all the elements in the lab are safe and kept in a place that is accessible without any trouble. In this article, let’s see What to wear to a lab interview?

It is the responsibility of the lab technician to clean up after the session in the lab. They must be aware of the effects of all the elements in the lab. They have to assist students, faculty, and working members with cleaning, sorting, and drying test tubes, beakers, Petri dishes, and other containers. They are also responsible for the safekeeping of the elements and the entire lab. They are to make note of losses in the lab and ensure that these losses are reported.

How to dress for a lab interview

• The most important aspect to keep in mind when you dress for a job such as this is to not overdo it. You want to leave an impression that makes them feel confident that you are a good candidate and your work in supporting them in the lab can prove very helpful.

• Your clothes are the first thing that is observed by your interviewer. It is ideal that your outfit is crisp and simple. Clean and well-pressed pants, proper jackets, skirts that reach up till your knee. Your hair is very clearly seen by the interviewer, clean and pulled back hair essentially says that you are a smart, responsible person. 

• Always carry a handkerchief with you, your nails both toe and finger should be clipped deep. They should also be cleaned so there’s no dirt stuck between your fingernails. Your skin should be well moisturized and clean. Keep in mind, a lab technician is supposed to portray the utmost level of cleanliness and responsibility therefore your dressing and bearing should be equally good.

• Color-coordinated suits also give a strong, responsible outlook. Apart from this, it is ideal to wear toe-covered shoes or ballet shoes. Your body should be clean and ensure that you use very subtle deodorant. The smell of the deodorant that you use should not overpower the smell of elements in the lab.

• It is often suggested that interviewees have a watch on them and they are prepared to be prepared for movement at all times. They are not to wear heavy jackets, they should be light and comfortable. During the winters, it is ideal that you wear a jacket but warmers inside in order to prevent the usage of the jackets during work. They are expected to be dressed in a proper manner both in the lab and in their offices.

• During the interview, manners are of the highest regard. If you are painting your nails, choose a subtle color. It is recommended that everyone working in the office should wear clothes made of cotton in order to prevent the onset of fire if the situation arises. 

Common mistakes

• Interviewees often tend to wear very casual outfits to lab interviews forgetting that they are being evaluated on many aspects and not just their experience. They tend to wear casual jeans and an untucked t-shirt with sliders that are barely holding onto your feet. If you have been rejected from such interviews despite having incredible credits, it is probably your bearing.

• People also tend to wear dangly earrings, make-up, and other unwanted accessories on your body. It is important that you remember that your job requires you to be on your toes constantly, showing up at an interview in very sophisticated outfits would give the impression that you are more of a desk person as opposed to a vigilant personality.

• Other common mistakes that are made are by being too high-strung. It is important that you understand that if you are hired, you will be working under a lot of people and your character should be approachable and one that does not panic very fast. Your outfit should ideally be one that helps you move around and doesn’t tire you out.

• Ensure that you do not wear anything that might in any way restrict movement. Like heels, bags, and clothes with tassels on them are all highly restrictive accessories. It is ideal that you carry a simple bag that has enough pouches and therefore can serve its purpose. 

• There are other particular things that interviewees do that are not very admirable. They tend to wear sliders, which is a big letdown in a lab interview. The reason behind the emphasis on not wearing sliders is to prevent any accidents. 

• Labs are places of storage and activity of highly reactive chemicals and burns are not rare. More than often, labs deal with highly reactive chemicals and the technicians play a major role in helping with the control of the reaction of the chemical. 

Conclusion

• Dress codes are very important when it comes to interviews since it is the first thing that actually catches the eye of the interviewer. It is important that an individual appearing for an interview is presentable and dressed in the smartest way possible. 
• It is not necessary that you wear suits and such, a proper outfit, one that is clean and crisp. They should ideally prevent wearing accessories that are heavy and dangly. 
• The shoes that you choose to wear also play an important role in your outfit setting. You cannot wear peep-toes and sliders. You are expected to wear shoes that cover your entire feet. 
• You also have to tie your hair up, it should be pulled back in order to prevent the falling of any loose hairs. Your nails should also be clean, properly clipped. If you choose to wear nail paint, it should be subtle. 
• These are basic dressing etiquettes during a lab interview.