Student Employee, Biology/Chemistry Lab Assistant
Posted Sep 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026
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Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you had to be very careful and precise with a task. What did you do to avoid mistakes?
What they are checking: Whether they have habits like double checking and keeping notes that matter in lab prep.
The job runs 10 to 20 hours a week, weekdays from 8 to 4. How does that fit your class schedule?
What they are checking: Whether they can reliably cover prep hours when labs actually need materials ready.
What would you do
You notice a container with no label in the prep room. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they stop and ask rather than guessing or tossing something that may be hazardous.
Part of this job is maintaining cadavers. How do you feel about that, and how would you approach it?
What they are checking: Whether they can handle cadaver care respectfully and calmly, following the supervisor's procedures.
You're caring for aquariums, plants and live specimens. What would you do if you came in and found a tank looking unhealthy?
What they are checking: Whether they notice problems with living specimens and report them quickly to the lab supervisor.
You break a piece of glassware during cleanup. What do you do next?
What they are checking: Whether they handle broken glass safely and own up to it instead of hiding it.
About the work
Have you used an autoclave or practiced aseptic technique before? Walk me through how you'd prepare media for a microbiology lab.
What they are checking: Whether they understand sterile technique well enough to prepare media that won't contaminate a class's results.
You're asked to make a chemical solution at a certain concentration. How do you go about it?
What they are checking: Whether they can do basic lab math and measure carefully, since a wrong solution ruins a whole lab section.
What does following the JJC Chemical Hygiene Plan mean to you in day-to-day work?
What they are checking: Whether they take written safety procedures seriously, including labels, PPE and where to find safety data sheets.
How would you dispose of a used chemical solution or biological waste after a lab?
What they are checking: Whether they know hazardous and biological waste go to specific containers and never down the drain without approval.
How would you keep track of inventory so instructors don't run out of supplies mid-semester?
What they are checking: Whether they can keep simple, accurate counts and flag low stock before it becomes a problem.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Joliet Junior College.