Interviewing:Interviewing:Graduate School and BeyondGraduate School and Beyond

Created by Susan D. Croll, PhD Created by Susan D. Croll, PhD Presented by Richard J. Bodnar, Ph.D.Presented by Richard J. Bodnar, Ph.D.

Psi Chi Talk, February 15, 2006Psi Chi Talk, February 15, 2006

Interviewing ContextsInterviewing Contexts

Graduate StudyGraduate Study

JobsJobs

AwardsAwards

Preparing for an Interview in Preparing for an Interview in AdvanceAdvance

Learn as much as possible about the Learn as much as possible about the place you’re visitingplace you’re visiting

Be prepared to ask questions about the Be prepared to ask questions about the environmentenvironment

Be prepared to answer questions about Be prepared to answer questions about yourselfyourself

Information to Gather: Information to Gather: ProgramProgram

What is the orientation of the program?What is the orientation of the program?

– ClinicalClinical: psychoanalytic, behavioral, : psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive?cognitive?

– BasicBasic: empirical, theoretical, theory-: empirical, theoretical, theory-driven in what way?driven in what way?

What are the program requirements?What are the program requirements?

What is required of the students outside What is required of the students outside of coursework?of coursework?

Information to Gather: Information to Gather: FacultyFaculty

Who are the research-active faculty?Who are the research-active faculty?– LiteratureLiterature: look for recent articles: look for recent articles

Contact faculty members to ask about Contact faculty members to ask about their research and lab (e-mail best).their research and lab (e-mail best).Try to arrange visits with faculty of Try to arrange visits with faculty of interest during interview.interest during interview.

Preparing for an Interview in Preparing for an Interview in AdvanceAdvance

Learn as much as possible about the Learn as much as possible about the place you’re visitingplace you’re visiting

Be prepared to ask questions about the Be prepared to ask questions about the environmentenvironment

Be prepared to answer questions about Be prepared to answer questions about yourselfyourself

Good questions for you to askGood questions for you to ask

Questions that show you are eager, Questions that show you are eager, scholarly, and informed.scholarly, and informed.

Good questions for you to askGood questions for you to askExamplesExamples

Will I get an opportunity to learn things about other labs?Will I get an opportunity to learn things about other labs?

Is there an opportunity to interact with alumni or more Is there an opportunity to interact with alumni or more advanced graduate students for peer mentoring?advanced graduate students for peer mentoring?

What is the average time of completion of the degree?What is the average time of completion of the degree?

How soon can I start working on my research?How soon can I start working on my research?

How are your library facilities/journals, etc.How are your library facilities/journals, etc.

What are your research facilities like?What are your research facilities like?

If relevant: What sorts of internships or clinical experiences If relevant: What sorts of internships or clinical experiences will be available to me?will be available to me?

Bad questions for you to askBad questions for you to ask

Questions that make you sound Questions that make you sound uninformed, greedy, lazy, or unsure of uninformed, greedy, lazy, or unsure of goals.goals.

Bad questions for you to ask:Bad questions for you to ask:ExamplesExamples

How much money will I get as a stipend How much money will I get as a stipend (eventually, but not right up front)?(eventually, but not right up front)?

How much money should I expect to make in How much money should I expect to make in my first year out of the program?my first year out of the program?

How many hours per week of research do I How many hours per week of research do I have to do?have to do?

Could you explain to me what I/O psychology Could you explain to me what I/O psychology (or whichever…) is really all about?(or whichever…) is really all about?

What are the program requirements?What are the program requirements?

To avoid bad questionsTo avoid bad questions

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE APPLYINGAPPLYING

1.1. Read every word written on the program’s Read every word written on the program’s website before going to the interviewwebsite before going to the interview

2.2. Conduct a search on every member of the Conduct a search on every member of the graduate faculty (PubMed or PsychInfo) and graduate faculty (PubMed or PsychInfo) and choose 2-3 that really interest youchoose 2-3 that really interest you

3.3. Carefully research your options for fields to Carefully research your options for fields to pick from – if pick from – if unsureunsure, delay graduate , delay graduate application – work in the field for awhileapplication – work in the field for awhile

Preparing for an Interview in Preparing for an Interview in AdvanceAdvance

Learn as much as possible about the Learn as much as possible about the place you’re visitingplace you’re visiting

Be prepared to ask questions about the Be prepared to ask questions about the environmentenvironment

Be prepared to answer questions about Be prepared to answer questions about yourselfyourself

Common questions encounteredCommon questions encountered

Why are you interested in this program/place?Why are you interested in this program/place?

What do you have to offer this program/place?What do you have to offer this program/place?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Tell us about your research.Tell us about your research.

What are your short-term and long-term goals?What are your short-term and long-term goals?

Common questions encounteredCommon questions encountered Why are you interested in this program/place?Why are you interested in this program/place?

1.1. Understand why you have chosen the field Understand why you have chosen the field of study you have applied forof study you have applied for

2.2. Understand the strengths of the Understand the strengths of the particularparticular program you have applied forprogram you have applied for

3.3. Be ready to talk about a few faculty Be ready to talk about a few faculty members with interesting research (esp. members with interesting research (esp. PhD)PhD)

Common questions encounteredCommon questions encountered

What do you have to offer this program/place?What do you have to offer this program/place?

1.1. What are your special skills (computers, What are your special skills (computers, people skills, etc.)?people skills, etc.)?

2.2. How would these skills be of benefit in this How would these skills be of benefit in this environment?environment?

3.3. Why are you interested in this field?Why are you interested in this field?

Common questions encounteredCommon questions encountered

What are your strengths and weaknesses?What are your strengths and weaknesses?1.1. What are your personal and academic What are your personal and academic

strengths? (don’t brag, just be prepared to say strengths? (don’t brag, just be prepared to say you “think” you…..)you “think” you…..)

2.2. What are your weaknesses?What are your weaknesses?1.1. This is a common question – really think about your This is a common question – really think about your

weaknessesweaknesses2.2. Select a few weaknesses that can either:Select a few weaknesses that can either:

1.1. Be also viewed as a strength (workaholic, etc.) or Be also viewed as a strength (workaholic, etc.) or 2.2. That you have shown progress in overcoming (eg. That you have shown progress in overcoming (eg.

shyness). shyness).

3.3. Do not talk about inherent, serious personality Do not talk about inherent, serious personality defects that are hard to overcome (depressive, etc.).defects that are hard to overcome (depressive, etc.).

Common questions encounteredCommon questions encountered

Tell us about your research.Tell us about your research.Few PhD programs will select students without Few PhD programs will select students without

research experience. MA, MS, PsyD, MD, research experience. MA, MS, PsyD, MD, JD are more likely to do so (though it’s a JD are more likely to do so (though it’s a plus for all graduate training). Be prepared plus for all graduate training). Be prepared to:to:

1.1. Describe your researchDescribe your research2.2. Show that you understood the goals of your Show that you understood the goals of your

researchresearch3.3. Be able to discuss your research within a Be able to discuss your research within a

larger context larger context (what it means to theories or to the world at (what it means to theories or to the world at large)large)

Common questions encounteredCommon questions encountered

What are your short-term and long-term goals?What are your short-term and long-term goals?1.1. Pick some short-term goals for yourselfPick some short-term goals for yourself

1.1. research goalsresearch goals2.2. academic goalsacademic goals3.3. experiential goals (clinical, etc.)experiential goals (clinical, etc.)

2.2. Have a sense for where you see yourself Have a sense for where you see yourself in your professional career (okay to say in your professional career (okay to say you haven’t selected a particular you haven’t selected a particular

specialization, so long as its WITHIN the specialization, so long as its WITHIN the field of study – have a few thoughts, field of study – have a few thoughts, though)though)

Days to Weeks Before:Days to Weeks Before:

Make sure that you select a suit or other Make sure that you select a suit or other professional outfit, professional outfit, UNLESS TOLD UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISEOTHERWISE (honor requests) (honor requests)

Make sure that you have made several Make sure that you have made several copies of your CV/resume and/or copies of your CV/resume and/or manuscripts, even if you sent them in manuscripts, even if you sent them in advanceadvance

Prepare your list of questionsPrepare your list of questions

Be sure that you know where you’re going Be sure that you know where you’re going – it’s not good to be late!– it’s not good to be late!

That morning:That morning:

Wear your professional clothingWear your professional clothing

Pack copies of your CV and Pack copies of your CV and manuscripts/abstracts/honorsmanuscripts/abstracts/honors

Pack your list of questionsPack your list of questions

Be tidy, well-groomed, and Be tidy, well-groomed, and well-restedwell-rested

At your interviewAt your interview

Don’t be demanding – it’s ok to accept Don’t be demanding – it’s ok to accept offers of coffee, water, etc.; but don’t offers of coffee, water, etc.; but don’t ask unless offeredask unless offered

Greet each new person with a warm Greet each new person with a warm smile and out-stretched handsmile and out-stretched hand

Shake with a short, firm handshakeShake with a short, firm handshake

What they’re looking forWhat they’re looking for

Clinical or Business Programs (especially)Clinical or Business Programs (especially)– Good social skillsGood social skills– Appropriate, professional demeanorAppropriate, professional demeanor– Good carriage under duress (calm, confident)Good carriage under duress (calm, confident)

Basic Programs (especially)Basic Programs (especially)– Dedication to researchDedication to research– Scholarly skills, orientationScholarly skills, orientation

All ProgramsAll Programs– IntelligenceIntelligence– Communication skillsCommunication skills– Understanding of program and fieldUnderstanding of program and field

Be sure to show your best selfBe sure to show your best self

Be friendly, forthcoming, Be friendly, forthcoming, honest, and enjoy the honest, and enjoy the

interviewinterview

At the End of InterviewAt the End of Interview

Always smile, shake hands, and Always smile, shake hands, and thank hostthank host

Leave your contact informationLeave your contact information

Express enthusiasm about what you Express enthusiasm about what you saw/learned/heardsaw/learned/heard

After the interviewAfter the interview

Follow-up letter is nice, not essential Follow-up letter is nice, not essential (express interest, gratitude, and give contact (express interest, gratitude, and give contact information).information).

After awhile, one follow-up call is acceptable After awhile, one follow-up call is acceptable – don’t harass– don’t harass

E-mail if you have further questions – this is E-mail if you have further questions – this is less intrusive than callingless intrusive than calling