LIKELY QUESTIONS
- Can you walk us through your diploma training and laboratory experience that prepare you for preparing media for germplasm production at KAGRC?
- What steps do you follow to prepare, label, and verify laboratory media and reagents to ensure consistency and quality?
- Describe your experience with receiving, recording, packaging, and dispatching biological or laboratory samples while maintaining traceability.
- How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail when conducting simple analytical laboratory work and documenting results?
- What laboratory records have you maintained before, and how do you make sure documentation is complete, clear, and audit-ready?
- This role involves preserving test samples and handling germplasm. What do you understand about sample preservation, contamination prevention, and proper storage conditions?
- Tell us about your proficiency in computer applications. Which tools or systems have you used for data entry, reporting, spreadsheets, or laboratory records?
- KAGRC works with scientists, veterinary officers, and technical teams. How have you collaborated with different stakeholders in a laboratory or technical environment?

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS
- Tell us about a time you detected an error or inconsistency in a laboratory process or record. What did you do?
Model approach: Situation - A reagent label, sample ID, or result entry did not match the logbook. Task - Prevent incorrect analysis and protect data integrity. Action - Pause the process, verify source documents, inform the supervisor, isolate affected samples/reagents, correct documentation, and suggest a double-check step. Result - Error prevented, records corrected, and process reliability improved.

- Describe a time you had to manage multiple samples or urgent tasks under pressure.
Model approach: Situation - Several samples arrived close together with strict timelines. Task - Process them accurately without delays or mix-ups. Action - Prioritize by urgency and sample stability, use a checklist, label immediately, update logs in real time, and coordinate with team members. Result - All samples handled on time, no identification errors, and smooth workflow maintained.

- Give an example of when you worked with a team member from a different technical background, such as a scientist, clinician, or field officer.
Model approach: Situation - Worked with colleagues who had different roles and priorities. Task - Support the shared objective while ensuring laboratory requirements were met. Action - Communicate clearly, confirm sample requirements, share updates, ask clarifying questions, and document handovers properly. Result - Better coordination, fewer errors, and successful completion of the assignment.

- Tell us about a time you had to follow a strict procedure or safety standard even when it was inconvenient.
Model approach: Situation - A task had time pressure, but SOPs and safety controls had to be followed. Task - Complete work while maintaining compliance. Action - Use PPE, follow SOP step by step, verify equipment readiness, avoid shortcuts, and document the procedure. Result - Work completed safely, no contamination or incident, and compliance maintained.

SMART QUESTIONS TO ASK
- How is laboratory work for this role divided between media preparation, sample analysis, record keeping, and germplasm handling?
- What SOPs, quality control standards, or accreditation practices are currently used in the laboratory?
- What would success in the first 3 to 6 months look like for a Laboratory Technician at KAGRC?
- What laboratory information systems, databases, or reporting tools does the team use for sample tracking and documentation?
- How does this role support KAGRC's broader livestock improvement and animal genetic resource conservation programs?

RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR
- Unclear answers about training, SOPs, biosafety, or supervision, which may indicate weak laboratory controls.
- Vague expectations around workload, overtime, or staffing across six positions, which may suggest poor resourcing.
- Little clarity on equipment availability, reagent supply, or record-keeping systems, which may make quality work difficult.