interviewing

 


So in January and February, you WILL start hearing back from programs about next steps. Here are a few possibilities:

  • Decision with no interview (this is rare, but a handful of schools I applied to did this)
  • Fund you to come on-site for an all-day interview
  • Phone/Zoom interview
The last one is probably the most common one now in this COVID-19 era, so I will focus on that the most here. 

In general, I want to say, getting an interview is a HUGE deal. That means the program truly does want you in their program, especially if they are going to take the time to get to know you more. (Kind of like what I mentioned in the earlier page about professors agreeing to talk to you when they have such little spare time). I know easier said than done, but there is no reason to go into these interviews super nervous. You don't need to "impress them" by going above and beyond. The interview is more just to check that you are who you say you are in your application, there are no red flags, and you would be a good "fit" for their program. 

My strategy for preparing for these interviews was to not prepare for them at all.  I know, shocking! This partly comes out of my laziness, but also because these interviews really are very conversational and casual. The people interviewing you are nice professors, not intense consulting recruiters who will grill you with difficult questions. So you shouldn't go in with rehearsed answers or statements really. These interviews will honestly feel a lot like the networking calls where you spent a lot of the time discussing mutual research interests and projects, with maybe a little more structure in these interviews.

If you want to do some light preparation, I would at the most jot down a few bullet points to answer some common questions. Here are some questions I remember getting asked throughout my interviews and some example bullets: 

  • So tell me about yourself! (The usual opening question)
    • Quickly say where you are from, your pedigree
    • Broad overview of your research interests and experience
    • Briefly mention non-academic hobbie(s)
    • Tie things back to why you are passionate about pursuing a PhD
  • Tell me about your research experience/master's experience.
    • Try to just focus on 1 or 2 things, summer internship/master's thesis are good things to highlight
  • Why do you want to come to XX program specifically? / What are you looking for in a PhD program?
    • Mentors/Professors (discuss prior conversations/networking)
    • Focuses of the program/department (Interdisciplinary? Quantitative methods focus? Social justice?)
    • Location
  • Describe your quantitative research skills.
    • You can be honest here, most just want to know you are open to learning
  • Why do you want/need a PhD?
    • Love conducting independent research projects
    • Love teaching
    • Want to become a professor
    • Want to dive deeper into methods
  • What other schools did you apply to?
    • This can be a tricky one to answer - my default is to reveal what schools but don't say whether you have heard back or gotten accepted into any of them
  • Do you have any questions for me (the interviewer)?
    • Always say yes!
    • Ask questions about the program, their experience working with students, etc.
Some weird behavioral questions you might get asked (and I got asked at some point) are:
  • Tell me about 1 strength and 1 weakness
  • What is a challenge that you have overcome? Professionally or personally.
  • What difficulties to you expect to encounter?

The day before any interview be sure to relax, get a good night's sleep, and remind yourself that you are a rockstar! Remember they are trying to impress you just as much as you are wanting to impress them.