Pursuing a PhD is a remarkable accomplishment in academia, but it requires a significant investment of time. If you have chosen to pursue this academic journey, your PhD interviewer must ensure that you are capable of meeting the challenge and have the academic capacity to reach this ultimate objective. The PhD interview is the means by which they evaluate your eligibility for the program when you apply for a PhD.
During your PhD interview, you will be asked a series of questions aimed at allowing your prospective supervisors to become more familiar with you, gain insight into your research interests and motivations, and determine if you are a suitable candidate for the PhD program.
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We have put together a list of Do’s and Don’ts for a PhD interview, with the aim of ensuring that you perform well when responding to the questions and starting your journey towards obtaining a Doctorate.
Do’s -
1. It is advisable for PhD candidates seeking postdoctoral positions in fields unrelated to their PhD research to read as many papers as possible on the subject. Reading several papers can provide a sound grasp of the subject matter, enabling candidates to have a meaningful conversation with the Professor they are applying to.
2. Simplify your presentation as much as possible. Ideally, limit it to four or five figures - slide that you have a firm grasp on and can respond to questions about.
3. Provide a brief overview of your career or accomplishments thus far. While the interview panel may have reviewed your CV, providing them with a concise summary of your education and successes on a single slide can leave a positive impression.
4. Anticipate questions about life after the PhD, such as how you handle failure. Consider how you would respond to potential difficulties that could arise during your PhD and anticipate questions on this topic.
5. Be sure to ask the interviewers questions during the interview. Doing so demonstrates your interest in the project.
Don’ts
1. Avoid citing Wikipedia as a source. It is advisable to have a solid grasp of the subject matter after reading research papers, enabling you to reference primary research papers or reviews on the topic.
2. Do not exceed the allotted time for your presentation. If you are given 15 minutes, use exactly 15 minutes. It can get challenging when presentations go beyond the scheduled time.
3. When asked about yourself, avoid giving a lengthy personal history. Stick to relevant details such as your hometown and perhaps an interesting hobby. From there, remain on topic, highlighting how your experience in college or lab makes you a strong candidate. Discuss what inspired you to pursue a PhD and why you selected this particular university.
4. Avoid providing simplistic responses during the interview. Your academic accomplishments alone will not be enough to impress the interviewers; it is important to articulate why you are the ideal candidate for the position.
5. If asked about your strengths and weaknesses, avoid providing simple responses such as being punctual and reliable. Provide detailed examples of situations where you exhibited these traits. When discussing weaknesses, do not be excessively critical of yourself; instead, identify areas where you would benefit from additional training.
It is essential to keep in mind that the advice provided here is not definitive. During your PhD interview, the panel may surprise you with questions you had not anticipated. However, by adhering to the do’s and don'ts discussed in this blog, you can increase your chances of success. As members of the PhD community, we understand the importance of the interview process for PhD researchers. Therefore, we hope that the tips provided in this article will assist you in making a strong impression during your PhD interview. Good luck!