<p>Hi, so recently I've been starting to apply to various part-time lab positions and internships during the school year, but I've actually never been to a job interview so I was wondering how they are like, specifically for lab jobs? I have had though extensive research experience and training though, and I have been called back for an interview. For example who you're interviewed by, what questions they would ask, if and how would they test your skills? Do they ask very specific lab procedure questions, etc? I was wondering since though I've had some lab experience but I'm a little rusty, like for example I've used a PCR machine a bunch of times but now I couldn't on the spot recall the specific temps and cycles you'd use for a certain length etc. So would I have to like study up if I said I had that experience?</p>
<p>The intensity of interviews varies a lot between employers. Some are happy to have an extra set of hands around and will teach you from the ground up, others would prefer someone who knows what they’re doing.</p>
<p>Just be honest. You can say you’ve done PCR on your resume, but if they ask you to elaborate, you need to tell them whether you did it once as part of a lab class (and the TA did all the machine programming) or you’ve done it dozens of times where you could literally whip up a PCR mixture in your sleep. Don’t fib!</p>
<p>And for your specific question, this is a general PCR cycle :)</p>
<p>step 1 - denature 94C for 30 sec
step 2 - denature 94C for 30 sec
step 3 - anneal anywhere between 50-60C for 1 min
step 4 - extend 72C for 1 min per kb of product (some polymerases are faster, some req different optimal extension temperatures)
step 5 - repeat steps 2-4 for 20ish cycles
step 6 - extend 72C for 10 min
hold at 4C forever</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice astrina that was helpful :)</p>