20 Eurofins Interview Questions and Answers

Eurofins is a global leader in food, environmental, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics testing. As such, they have very specific requirements for their employees. If you’re interviewing for a job at Eurofins, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, qualifications, and skills.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Eurofins interview questions and answers. With these, you can be sure that you’re ready for anything the interviewer throws your way.

Eurofins Interview Process

The interview process at Eurofins is relatively long, taking about two months from start to finish. However, the difficulty level of the interviews is generally low, with most candidates finding them to be quite straightforward. Overall, the experience is positive, with many employees finding the staff to be friendly and helpful.

1. What is your background in chemistry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your chemistry knowledge and how it applies to this role. If you have experience in chemistry, share that information with the interviewer. If you don’t have any formal training or education in chemistry, explain what other science-related courses you’ve taken.

Example: “I graduated from college with a degree in biochemistry. I chose this major because I was always interested in biology and chemistry, so combining them seemed like the perfect fit. In my undergraduate program, I took several advanced chemistry classes as well as microbiology and organic chemistry. These courses helped me develop my skills in analytical testing and data interpretation.”

2. How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you before?

This question is a great way to see how well you can describe yourself in a few sentences. It also shows the interviewer that you are confident and comfortable with who you are as a person. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses while still being positive.

Example: “I am an extremely hard worker who always strives for excellence. I’m very detail-oriented and love solving problems. I have a lot of experience working on teams and enjoy helping others learn new things. I think my biggest weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on work that I forget to take breaks.”

3. Tell us about a time where you had to deal with a difficult team member or manager and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges in the workplace. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and leadership qualities.

Example: “In my previous role as a quality assurance specialist, I had a team member who was constantly late for meetings and often missed deadlines. At first, I tried to be patient with this employee because I understood that they were going through some personal issues. However, after several weeks of no improvement, I decided to have a one-on-one meeting with them to discuss their performance. They apologized and assured me that they would do better. After that conversation, I noticed an immediate change in their work ethic.”

4. Describe the steps you take when analyzing data.

This question is an opportunity to show your analytical skills. You can answer this question by describing the steps you take when analyzing data and how you use those skills in your current role.

Example: “When I analyze data, I first look at the overall results of a test or experiment. Then, I examine each individual result to see if there are any outliers that might affect the overall outcome. If there are outliers, I’ll go back through the process to determine what caused them. After that, I’ll rerun the tests with the outliers removed to get more accurate results.”

5. Provide an example of a project that you worked on with a team.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project that involved teamwork and collaboration.

Example: “In my last position as an environmental scientist, I worked on a team of five other scientists. We were tasked with testing water samples from different locations in order to determine if there was any contamination. My role was to test the water for heavy metals while another member of our team tested for bacteria. The rest of the team analyzed the data we collected and determined which areas had higher levels of contamination.”

6. Why do you want to work at Eurofins?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When preparing your answer, think about what attracted you to this role in particular and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example: “I want to work at Eurofins because I am passionate about food safety testing and believe that Eurofins is one of the best companies in the industry. I have been following your company for years and was excited when I saw this position open. I feel like my skills and experience make me an excellent candidate for this job, and I would love to be part of such a forward-thinking organization.”

7. Do you have any experience working within FDA regulations?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a government agency that regulates food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. The FDA has strict regulations for the safety of these products, which can include testing methods and documentation requirements. If you have experience working within FDA regulations, explain your role in the process. If not, discuss how you would approach this type of work if hired by Eurofins.

Example: “I’ve worked with the FDA before when I was employed at my previous company. We had to submit our test results to them on a regular basis, so we were very familiar with their guidelines. In fact, we often used those guidelines as a reference point for our own internal processes. I think it’s important to understand the rules and regulations set forth by governing bodies like the FDA because they help ensure quality control.”

8. How do you feel about working overtime if necessary?

This question can help the interviewer determine your willingness to work extra hours when necessary. It’s important to show that you’re willing to do what it takes to get the job done, even if it means working overtime or on weekends.

Example: “I understand that sometimes there are deadlines that require us to work longer than usual. I’m committed to getting my work done as quickly as possible so we can meet those deadlines and still maintain quality. If I know ahead of time that I’ll be working overtime, I make sure to plan my day accordingly so I have enough energy to complete my tasks.”

9. Give an example of a situation where you disagreed with a decision made by management, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle disagreements and whether you’re able to voice your opinion in a respectful manner. When answering, it’s important to show that you can disagree with management respectfully while also highlighting your ability to work well under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as an environmental scientist, I disagreed with a decision made by upper management regarding our testing methods. Management decided we would no longer test for certain chemicals because of budget constraints. However, I felt strongly about continuing to test for these chemicals due to their importance in detecting contamination. I approached management and explained why I thought it was important to continue testing for these chemicals. They agreed with me and allowed us to continue testing for those specific chemicals.”

10. What would you do in a situation where you were concerned about safety regarding lab equipment?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenging situations at work. Use your answer to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions under pressure.

Example: “If I was concerned about safety regarding lab equipment, I would first speak with my supervisor or manager about my concerns. If they were unable to resolve the issue, I would contact human resources to discuss my options for reporting the situation. In this case, I would also report my concerns to the regulatory agency that oversees the facility. I believe it’s important to follow protocol when addressing a potentially unsafe situation.”

11. Have you ever dealt with a customer complaint? If so, what was the issue and how did you resolve it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience working with clients. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my previous role as a lab technician, I had a client who was unhappy with our results. They claimed that we were wrong about their findings and wanted us to retest the sample. After speaking with my supervisor, we decided to rerun the test at no additional cost to the client. We found the same results, which satisfied the client.”

12. What are some qualifications that you think are important for a scientist to possess?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have the skills and qualifications needed for this role. You can list some of your own personal qualities, such as creativity, problem-solving skills or attention to detail.

Example: “I think it’s important for scientists to be creative thinkers who are able to come up with new ideas and solutions. I also believe they should possess strong communication skills so they can clearly explain their findings to others. Finally, I think it’s essential for them to have an eye for detail because even small mistakes could lead to inaccurate results.”

13. As a chemist, why do you think following company policies and procedures are important?

This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of company policies and procedures. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you understand why following these guidelines is important for the safety of yourself, your coworkers and the environment.

Example: “I think it’s important to follow company policies and procedures because they ensure everyone in the workplace is safe. In my last position, I was working with a new chemical compound that had never been tested before. My supervisor asked me to test the compound on small animals to see if there were any side effects. I followed all of the company’s testing protocols and found out that the compound was toxic to some animals. The company decided not to use the compound after hearing about its negative effects.”

14. What kind of experience do you have with chromatography?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of chromatography and how you use it in your work. If you have experience with this testing method, describe the process and what kind of results you got from using it. If you don’t have any experience with chromatography, you can still answer this question by describing other methods you’ve used to test for similar compounds.

Example: “I have extensive experience with chromatography because I worked at a pharmaceutical company that tested drugs for purity. We used several different types of chromatography to test for specific compounds like THC or cocaine. In my last role, we also used chromatography to test for impurities in food products.”

15. What is your typical approach to finding errors in data?

This question can help the interviewer understand your analytical skills and how you approach a task. Your answer should include an example of how you would use your critical thinking skills to find errors in data, including any steps you might take to ensure that you’re not missing anything.

Example: “I typically start by looking at the most obvious errors first, such as numbers that are out of place or incorrect values. I then look for patterns in the data to see if there is a logical explanation for why these errors exist. If I’m still unsure about whether the error is valid, I will contact my supervisor to discuss what I’ve found so far and ask for their input.”

16. Explain how you typically communicate results to clients.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with clients and other professionals. It can also show them your communication skills, which are important for this role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you had to explain results to a client or colleague.

Example: “I typically use both verbal and written methods of communication. I find that these two methods work well together because they allow me to provide more information than one method would on its own. For example, if I’m explaining results verbally, I will go over each part of the report in detail so my client understands everything. Then, I’ll send them an email with a copy of the report attached so they have a digital version as well.”

17. Can you tell me about a time that you experienced conflict while working in a team setting and how you resolved it?

When working in a team setting, it’s important to be able to resolve conflict and work together. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to collaborate with others and solve problems effectively. In your answer, explain how you resolved the conflict and what steps you took to ensure that you can work well with others.

Example: “In my last role, I had a disagreement with one of my coworkers about an assignment we were given. We both wanted to complete the task differently, but neither of us was willing to compromise. Eventually, we decided to meet with our supervisor to discuss the issue. My coworker and I explained why we each thought our approach would be better. Our supervisor agreed with me on the best course of action for completing the assignment.”

18. When evaluating products, what tests will you perform?

This question can help the interviewer understand your technical knowledge and skills. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your expertise in testing products.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for evaluating a product’s quality control before it went into production. I performed several tests on the raw materials used to create the product as well as the final product itself. This allowed me to ensure that the company met all of its customer requirements and standards. In addition, I also evaluated the packaging of the product to make sure it would hold up during shipping.”

19. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field of chemistry?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to learn new things and adapt to changes in the industry. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on challenges, eager to learn more about chemistry and have a passion for the field.

Example: “I am passionate about chemistry, so I try to read as many articles and studies as possible. I also subscribe to several newsletters from different organizations and companies in the field of chemistry. In addition, I attend conferences and seminars related to my work and actively participate in online forums where other professionals share their knowledge.”

20. Is there anything else we should know about you that we haven’t covered yet?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded individual. You can use this time to discuss any other accomplishments, awards or certifications you have earned in your career.

Example: “I am also an avid runner and I completed my first marathon last year. It was quite the accomplishment for me, but it’s something I’m very proud of. I’ve been training for another one this year, so I’ll be sure to keep up with that while working here.”