Getting Prepared for PhD Interviews

Train of Thoughts

PhD programs are typically long-term and you are stuck with something in particular. They are also challenging but not well-paid. Do whatever you can to show that you are committed to the particular PhD position because their is always a risk that the student/candidate will drop out at some point. This is particularly important if the position is funded.

Ask yourself what the interview committee seeks to learn about you through their questions. Identify the different categories of information relevant to the type of interview you are attending, and practice answers to each. Please note that even seemingly general interview questions like “Tell us about yourself” should be answered with relevance to the position in mind.

Prepare two versions of an answer for each category: a 30-second version and a two-minute version. The average speaking rate is 130 words per minute (WPM), so your answers should have roughly 65 and 260 words respectively.

The interviewer typically seeks to know six things about the candidate:

1. Is the candidate competent?
2. Can the candidate work with others?
3. Does the candidate demonstrate a range of interpersonal skills?
4. Does the candidate seem friendly?
5. Could I consider the candidate a colleague?
6. Will the candidate add something beneficial to our group?

Tips from Faculty

Pre-work

• Learn everything you can about the institution, the faculty, and the department.
• Have a sense about who in the department you might want to collaborate with.
• Gain an understanding about the students attending the institution.
• Be able to talk about yourself and your work in the past, present, and future.
• If interviewing by phone or Skype, practice with a friend to ensure your technology is working properly.
• Participate in a practice interview and ask for feedback on any distracting habits you might have.
• If having a virtual interview, arrange your space and dress formally to convey your professionalism.
• Practice out loud.

During the Interview

• Know your audience. Are all the interviewers in your field?
• Provide examples to feature your skills and strengths.
• Convey enthusiasm.
• Limit any distracting habits.
• Ask a clarifying question if you don’t understand what the interviewer is asking.
• Always talk about the experiences and skills that you do have to offer; don’t talk about what you don’t have to offer.

After the Interview

• Do something that you find relaxing.
• Begin drafting thank-you notes and/or emails to everyone with whom you interviewed.
• Use your thank-you notes to more thoroughly answer a question for which you felt you did not initially give the best answer.
• Use your thank-you notes to convey the ways that you feel you would be a good fit with the department and institution.
• Keep a log with any questions that you would like to practice answering with greater competency; also write down what you felt you did particularly well.
• Consider tweaking your presentations and documents based on your experiences using them.

PhD Interviews

Categories of Information

1. Your motivation for pursuing a Ph.D.

   • Why do you want to do a PhD?

   • What are your academic and professional goals?

   • How does a PhD fit into your overall career plans?

2. Your research interests and expertise.

   • What specific research topics are you interested in?

   • What is your current level of knowledge and experience in these areas?

   • What research methods are you familiar with?

3. Your fit for the program and department.

   • Why are you interested in this particular PhD program and department?

   • What can you contribute to the program?

   • How do your research interests align with the faculty’s expertise?

4. Your personal qualities and skills.

   • Are you independent and self-motivated?

   • Are you able to think critically and creatively?

   • Are you able to work hard and persevere in the face of challenges?

Common Questions

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Why do you want to pursue a PhD?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. Why do you think you are the right candidate for this PhD program?
5. Do you have any questions for me (interviewer)?
6. Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
7. What will you do if the research does not work as expected?
8. Why do you think you are the right candidate for this PhD program?
9. What do you plan to do after you have completed your PhD?
10. Why did you choose this particular PhD program?
11. Do you have any other offers?