20 PerkinElmer Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. However, some companies also like to ask interviewees questions that are specific to their company.

If you’re interviewing for a position at PerkinElmer, you may be wondering what kinds of questions you’ll be asked. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common PerkinElmer interview questions, along with sample answers.

PerkinElmer Interview Process

The interview process at PerkinElmer can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Manufacturing Technician, there is only one interview that lasts around 30 minutes. For other positions, like Applications Scientist, there may be multiple rounds of interviews that last up to an hour each. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers asking questions about your qualifications and experience.

1. How would you explain the difference between HPLC and UHPLC?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company’s products and services. When you answer, try to use examples from your experience that highlight how each process works.

Example: “UHPLC stands for ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. It uses high pressure to separate compounds in a sample by their size and shape. HPLC stands for high performance liquid chromatography. It separates compounds based on their polarity. The difference between UHPLC and HPLC is that UHPLC can be used to analyze more complex samples than HPLC.”

2. Would you be comfortable working in a lab environment with hazardous materials on a regular basis?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience working in a lab environment and how comfortable you are with hazardous materials. If you do not have any experience, consider describing your comfort level with the idea of working with hazardous materials.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a lab environment with hazardous materials on a regular basis. In my previous role as an environmental scientist, I worked with hazardous materials every day. I was responsible for ensuring that all safety precautions were taken when handling these materials. I also had to dispose of them safely after testing.”

3. What do you know about PerkinElmer Inc.?

This question is a great way to show your research skills and knowledge of the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include information about PerkinElmer’s history, products or services and its current goals.

Example: “I know that PerkinElmer Inc. was founded in 1967 by two scientists who wanted to create an easier way for labs to measure radiation. The company has grown significantly since then, and now offers many different types of equipment and software solutions for measuring radiation, chemicals, gases and more. I also know that PerkinElmer recently acquired another company called EnviroScience, which focuses on environmental testing.”

4. Are you familiar with designing experiments for automated instrumentation?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate has experience with PerkinElmer’s products. If you have worked with these instruments before, explain how you used them and what your results were.

Example: “I’ve worked with automated instrumentation in my previous role as an environmental scientist. I was responsible for testing water samples for pollutants using automated equipment. The process of designing experiments for this type of equipment can be challenging because there are so many factors that need to be considered. However, I am familiar with the process and know how to design effective tests.”

5. Why are you interested in working at PerkinElmer?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When preparing for this interview, read through the job description and highlight any aspects that you are passionate about. Use these as talking points in your answer.

Example: “I am interested in working at PerkinElmer because of its mission to improve health and safety around the world. I have always been passionate about science and technology, so I would love to work on projects that help people. In my last role, I worked with a team of scientists who were developing new ways to detect disease. It was very rewarding to see our hard work make such a difference.”

6. In your experience, how is quality control managed?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with quality control and how you apply it in your work. Use examples from your previous job or a time when you applied quality control measures to ensure the accuracy of your work.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for ensuring that all equipment used during testing procedures were calibrated correctly. This included calibrating our spectrometers, gas analyzers and other instruments we use to test samples. In addition to calibration, I also performed daily checks on these devices to make sure they were functioning properly. If any device wasn’t working as expected, I reported it immediately so maintenance could fix it.”

7. Tell me about a time that you had to make an important decision quickly.

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to make a decision quickly, but also highlight the steps you took to ensure that it was the right one.

Example: “In my current role as a quality assurance specialist, I have to make important decisions quickly on a regular basis. For example, if there is a discrepancy in a product’s packaging or labeling, I need to determine whether it should be sent back for reworking or sold at retail. In these situations, I first take detailed notes about the issue and then compare them with the original specifications. If they don’t match up, I will send the product back for reworking.”

8. Provide an example of a time when you worked independently.

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to work independently and how you manage your time. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your skills in working independently.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for testing samples of water at a local park. The job required me to test the water every day, which meant I had to be able to complete the task on my own without any assistance. I developed a system where I would take pictures of the water before testing it and then record the results after testing. This helped me keep track of all the data I needed to report back to my supervisor.”

9. Do you have any experience using liquid handling systems?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company’s products and services. If you have experience using liquid handling systems, describe how they helped you in your previous role.

Example: “I’ve used PerkinElmer’s OpenLab software for my entire career as a chemist. I find it easy to use and helpful when troubleshooting problems with our equipment. In my last position, we had issues with our centrifuges that were causing inaccurate results. Using OpenLab, I was able to determine which parts needed replacing and order them before any clients noticed.”

10. What tools or processes would you use to debug software?

Debugging is a common task for software developers, and the interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience with debugging. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to debug software effectively.

Example: “I would first use my knowledge of the language I’m working in to identify what type of bug it is. Then, I’d try to replicate the bug by changing one variable at a time until I find the cause. Once I’ve identified the root cause, I’ll fix the issue permanently so that it doesn’t happen again.”

11. Have you ever been responsible for the health and safety of others? Describe.

This question is designed to assess your ability to work in a team and ensure the safety of others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any specific projects you worked on that helped improve health or safety for people or the environment.

Example: “In my current role as an environmental scientist, I am responsible for ensuring our company’s compliance with state regulations regarding air quality. This includes monitoring emissions from industrial facilities and making sure they are within safe levels. In addition, I also have to report any violations we find to the appropriate regulatory bodies.”

12. What would you say is the most difficult thing about being a field service engineer?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can handle challenges and adapt to different situations. Your answer should include a specific example of how you overcame this challenge in the past.

Example: “The most difficult thing about being a field service engineer is having to work with challenging clients. I have had to deal with many upset customers, but my communication skills help me diffuse tense situations. In one situation, I was working on a project for a client who kept changing their requirements. I explained to them that it would take more time and money to complete the project if they continued to change their specifications. They understood and we were able to finish the project.”

13. What is your familiarity with chromatography instruments?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the company’s products and services. If you have experience using chromatography instruments, describe how they helped you in your previous role. If you don’t have direct experience with these instruments, explain what you know about them and why you’re interested in learning more.

Example: “I’ve used PerkinElmer’s Agilent Technologies HPLC system for my research at the University of California Berkeley. I was able to use this instrument to identify compounds that were present in different types of wine. This information can help winemakers improve their product by identifying which grapes produce the best wines.”

14. What kinds of tests do you think should be performed before releasing software?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of software testing and how it can impact an organization. When answering, you should provide examples of the types of tests that are performed before releasing software and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I think all levels of testing should be completed before releasing software because each test provides valuable information about the quality of the product. Unit testing checks for errors in individual components of the program while integration testing ensures that different parts of the program work together properly. User acceptance testing allows users to try out the software and give feedback on its usability.”

15. If I were looking at your resume right now, what would stand out most to me?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done some research on the company and are familiar with its values. It also gives them an opportunity to see what skills or experiences you value most in yourself.

Example: “I would say my education, as it shows I am dedicated to lifelong learning and development. My work experience, because it shows that I can apply theoretical knowledge into practical situations. And my volunteer experience, because it shows that I care about making a difference in the world.”

16. Talk about a situation where you had to give constructive feedback to someone under your supervision.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle giving feedback to your team members and employees. It can also show them how you might give feedback to their own team members if you’re hired for the position.

Example: “In my last role, I had a colleague who was always late to meetings. This made it difficult for everyone else in the meeting because we would have to wait for them before starting. I talked with this person about their lateness and explained that while I understood they were trying to be on time, it was disrupting our ability to start the meeting on time. They agreed to work on being more punctual.”

17. What has been your biggest challenge as an engineer so far?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you’ve overcome challenges in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific challenge you faced and what steps you took to solve it.

Example: “My biggest challenge as an engineer so far has been learning all of the different software programs I use on a daily basis. There are many different types of engineering software that I have to know how to use, which made it difficult at first to remember everything. However, I created a study schedule where I would spend 30 minutes each night studying one type of program until I felt comfortable using it.”

18. What was one project you worked on that didn’t go well, describe how it played out.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about the situation but also highlight what you learned from it.

Example: “I once worked on a project where I was in charge of creating a new marketing campaign for one of our clients. The client loved the first draft of the campaign, however, when we presented it to the public, they didn’t respond as well as we had hoped. We went back to the drawing board and created a second campaign that was more successful than the first.”

19. What programming languages are you proficient in?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your technical skills. If you have experience with a specific programming language, list it in your answer. If not, consider listing the languages that you are familiar with and explain how you would learn them if hired.

Example: “I am proficient in C++, Java and Python. I also know some HTML and CSS coding. In my last role, I was responsible for creating new programs and testing existing ones. My team and I worked together to create an efficient system of testing and debugging.”

20. What type of work environment do you prefer?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their company culture. When answering, try to describe a work environment that is similar to the one at PerkinElmer. If you have never worked for a particular type of company before, think about what you would enjoy most.

Example: “I prefer working in an office where everyone gets along well and there are plenty of opportunities to collaborate on projects. I also like when companies offer flexible schedules so employees can balance work and life outside of the office.”