17 Field Application Scientist Interview Questions and Answers

Field application scientists are the link between a company’s product and its customers. They provide training and support to customers on how to use the company’s products, as well as collect feedback to help improve the products.

To be successful in this role, you need to have strong people skills, as well as technical knowledge about the products you’re working with. You also need to be able to think on your feet and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

If you’re applying for a field application scientist job, you can expect to be asked a mix of technical and behavioral interview questions. In this guide, we’ll give you some examples of field application scientist interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

Are you comfortable working with potentially hazardous chemicals or other materials?

Field application scientists often work with chemicals and other materials that can be hazardous to their health. Employers ask this question to make sure you are aware of the risks involved in the job and whether or not you feel comfortable working with these types of substances. In your answer, explain how you will take necessary precautions when handling potentially dangerous materials.

Example: “I am fully aware of the risks associated with working with hazardous materials. I have taken a class on proper safety procedures for handling hazardous materials and know what steps to take if something goes wrong. For example, I always wear protective gear when working with toxic chemicals and keep them locked up in a safe place when they aren’t being used.”

What are some of the most important skills for a field application scientist?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to share two or three of the most important skills for a field application scientist and explain why they are important.

Example: “The most important skill for a field application scientist is communication. This role requires me to work with many different teams, including marketing, sales and customer service. I need to be able to clearly communicate my ideas so that everyone understands them. Another important skill is problem-solving. Field application scientists often work on projects where we’re trying to solve problems. It’s important to be able to think critically about these issues and come up with solutions.”

How would you handle a situation where a product or technology didn’t work as expected?

Field application scientists often work with new technologies and products. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the problem-solving skills needed for this role. In your answer, explain how you would troubleshoot the issue. Explain that you would first try to understand what went wrong. Then, you would find a solution or alternative.

Example: “I once worked on a project where we used a new technology. The product was supposed to be more efficient than other options on the market. However, when I tested it in the field, it didn’t perform as well as expected. I would first determine why the product wasn’t working as planned. Then, I would figure out if there is an alternative way to use the product. If not, I would go back to the drawing board to see if there is something else we can do to improve the product.”

What is your experience with using or developing pesticides?

Field application scientists often work with pesticides, which are chemicals that kill or repel insects. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with these chemicals and understand the safety precautions required for their company. In your answer, explain what types of pesticides you’ve worked with in the past and how you used them. Share any specific knowledge you have about the type of pesticide the company uses.

Example: “In my previous role as a field application scientist, I was responsible for testing new pesticides before they were released to the public. I would test each pesticide’s effectiveness on different crops and its safety for humans and animals. I also had to ensure that our team followed all necessary safety protocols when applying the pesticides.”

Provide an example of a time when you trained others on the proper use of a new product or technology.

Field application scientists often train other employees on how to use new products or technologies. This question helps employers understand your training skills and ability to communicate with others. In your answer, explain the steps you took to ensure everyone understood the product or technology.

Example: “When I first started working for my current employer, they were developing a new software program that would help streamline their sales process. My team was responsible for testing the software’s functionality and reporting any bugs we found. During our initial training, I explained each step of the software and demonstrated how it worked. Then, I had my team complete several practice exercises so they could become familiar with using the software.”

If hired, what would be your area of focus as a field application scientist for our company?

This question helps employers understand your goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or initiative that you would like to work on.

Example: “If I were hired for this position, my primary focus would be developing new products for our company. I have experience in researching the needs of customers and finding ways to meet those needs through product development. In my last role, I helped develop a new line of insect repellent that was more effective than other brands on the market.”

What would you do if you noticed a field of crops you treated with a new product appeared to be dying?

This question can help an interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for how you would investigate the situation, identify the cause of the issue and implement a solution.

Example: “If I noticed that a field of crops I treated with a new product appeared to be dying, I would first inspect the plants to see if there were any other signs of damage or disease. If the plants looked healthy but were still dying, I would collect samples from each plant and send them to a lab for testing. Once I received the results back, I would determine whether the product was causing the death of the plants and take action to resolve the issue.”

How well do you understand the local regulations related to the use of pesticides or other chemicals?

Field application scientists must understand the regulations in their area to ensure they’re using chemicals safely. Your answer should show that you know how to follow local laws and regulations, including any training or certifications required for your job.

Example: “I have a certification from the state of California that allows me to apply pesticides and other chemicals. I also completed an online course on pesticide safety before getting my certification. In addition, I always read the labels carefully when applying these products so I can make sure I’m following all the rules.”

Do you have experience writing technical manuals or other documents that explain complex concepts in a clear way?

Field application scientists often need to write reports and other documents that explain their findings in a way that’s easy for non-technical people to understand. The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your writing skills and how they might apply to the job. Use your answer to describe your experience with technical writing and highlight any specific skills or tools you use when doing so.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for creating all of our company’s technical documentation. This included everything from user manuals to training guides and even some marketing materials. It took me a while to get used to writing at such a low level, but now I find it quite enjoyable. I’ve also learned many different ways to make complex concepts easier to understand.”

When testing a new product or technology, what is your process for determining whether or not it’s successful?

Field application scientists are responsible for testing new products and technologies to determine if they’re successful. This question allows you to demonstrate your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to make decisions based on data.

Example: “I start by identifying the goals of the product or technology I’m testing. Then, I develop a plan that outlines how I will test it in the field. For example, when testing a new herbicide, I would apply it to different types of plants at various times during the growing season to see which ones show signs of damage. If there is no visible damage after two weeks, then I know the herbicide was successful.”

We want to be environmentally friendly as a company. How would you implement environmentally friendly alternatives to our current products or services?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of environmentalism and how you can help companies make environmentally friendly decisions. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the importance of being environmentally friendly and provide specific examples of how you’ve helped other companies implement more eco-friendly alternatives in their products or services.

Example: “I believe that we should always be looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. In my last position, I worked with a company that was looking for an alternative to one of its products because it contained harmful chemicals. We found a natural substitute that would work just as well but without any harmful side effects. This allowed the company to continue selling its product while also reducing its impact on the environment.”

Describe your experience with using or developing software programs.

Field application scientists use software programs to create and test formulas for their company. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using or developing software programs. Use your answer to explain which software programs you’ve used in the past and what your level of expertise is. You can also mention any specific skills you have that make you a good fit for the job.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with Microsoft Excel, Access and Project. I’m very familiar with how to use these programs to organize data and perform calculations. In my last role as a field application scientist, I developed an Excel formula that helped our team save time when calculating product costs.”

What makes you the best candidate for this field application scientist position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this position. Use examples from your experience and education to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities.

Example: “I am a highly motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment. I have excellent communication skills and can work well with others. My attention to detail and problem-solving skills make me an ideal candidate for this role. In my previous role as a field application scientist, I was responsible for testing new products before they were released to the public. I developed a system of testing that helped me identify any issues or defects within the product. This allowed our company to release only high-quality products to consumers.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your background and experience. It can also show them what industries you are familiar with, which may be beneficial if they’re looking to hire someone who has experience in their company’s industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the industries you have worked in and why you enjoy working in those fields.

Example: “I’ve mostly worked in the pharmaceutical industry, but I also have some experience in the food processing industry. In my last position, I was responsible for creating new products that would improve the quality of life for patients. For example, I helped develop a drug that could treat multiple sclerosis symptoms without causing as many side effects. Working in both of these industries is interesting because I get to work on projects that can make a big difference in people’s lives.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when using or developing new products or technologies?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of safety when working with new products or technologies. Use examples from your experience to explain how you ensure the safety of customers and other users of a product.

Example: “The most important thing I think about when developing new products or technologies is ensuring they are safe for both the environment and the people using them. In my last role, we were creating a new type of fertilizer that would be more environmentally friendly than traditional fertilizers. We had to make sure it was safe for plants, animals and humans before releasing it to the public. It took us several months to develop the right formula.”

How often do you test new products or technologies?

Field application scientists often test new products or technologies to determine how they work in the field. This question helps employers understand your testing process and whether you have experience with it. In your answer, explain what types of tests you’ve done in the past and why you chose them.

Example: “In my previous role as a field application scientist, I tested several different types of pesticides on crops. We used small-scale trials to see which ones worked best for our company’s needs. For this type of testing, we would plant two separate fields of crops that were identical except for one variable. Then, we would apply different pesticides to each field and monitor their growth over time. After about three weeks, we could tell which pesticide was most effective.”

There is a lot of competition in this industry. How do you stay motivated to do your best work?

Field application scientists often work in teams, so employers may ask this question to see if you have strategies for motivating yourself and your colleagues. In your answer, try to explain how you stay motivated even when working with challenging projects or clients.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I set goals for myself. For example, at my last job, I would set a goal of finding solutions to problems by the end of each day. This helped me focus on getting things done rather than worrying about all the work I had left to do. It also made it easier to motivate my team members because I could show them what we were accomplishing each day.”