1. How to succeed at interviews
Lorna Dargan
PGR Careers Adviser

2. Session objectives Explore how to prepare for an interview
Hear from an experienced PhD interviewer
Understand what interviewers want to know about you
Examine the different types of questions you might be asked
Understand how to structure and deliver answers
Session will be participative, and confidential
Will be participative. I’m not here to tell you everything; we will learn from each other, and add to our body of knowledge as we go through

3. Types of interviews
Traditional face-to-face, including panel interviews
Phone interviews
Skype interviews
Also:
Presentation
Assessment centre activities

4. The key to successful interviews?
Most people fail to prepare properly for their job interview. Why? Lack of time, wanting to come across as natural, thinking they’re not that difficult.
What we’re going to do is look at how to research and prepare, we’ll try a bit of rehearsing, and then we’ll look at the day itself when you ‘perform’.
Research – Prepare – Rehearse – Perform

5. Research: what do they want?
CAN you do it?
Do you WANT to do it? Really?
Do you want to do your PhD with us? (will you FIT in?)
Research: the proposal, the field, institute, and interviewers
Talk to current PhD students. What is life as a PGR really like?
Remember to use good sources.

6. Research…yourself
We can be uncomfortable ‘tooting our own horn’, and whilst you don’t want to oversell yourself, you need to convince them that you’re a good choice
Who are you? Most people are unaware of what makes them great
What have you got that they want? Most people don’t know what makes them valuable
What are you lacking? What are your potential stumbling blocks?
Review your past work, particularly your dissertation(s)

7. Prepare: questions

8. Questions: general advice
Think about why the question has been asked
Ask for clarification if necessary
Answer the question with relevant and specific evidence of your achievements
Keep to the point
Focus on positive examples and comments.

9. Prepare: structure your answers
Why do you want to do a PhD? Why here?
What skills have you got?
Tell us about your research project
What are the most important issues/challenges in this field? How will your research contribute?
Tell me about a time when you have had to overcome a challenge
What are your strengths & weaknesses?
What do you want to ask us?
Draft and practice answers
STAR or CAR
Get them to draft one? Don’t overthink it. Bullet points only.
One group to call out their structure. Get rest of group to ask questions to help them flesh it out.
Remember that the interviewer wants to learn about how you think, so don’t just tell them what you’ve done, tell them how and why

10. Perform: the interview itself
Use your preparation effectively, to identify the right example, the right message
Think about why the question is being asked (can-want-fit)
Make sure you answer the question
Ask for clarification if necessary
Handle your nerves in the moment.

11. Perform: creating a good impression
Dress code: match up or step up
Turn up on time (what does that mean?)
Manners: mind them with everyone
Body language and tone of voice
Any cultural differences?
Dress code
Turn up on time (WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?).
Be polite/don’t assume/perform from when you leave your house/be respectful
Body language (likeability; cultural differences; tone of voice)
What does enthusiasm and engagement look like?

12. Perform: phone and Skype interviews
Telephone
Skype
Stand up? Sit down?
Speak clearly and slowly
Don’t interrupt
Have a pen and paper
Dress as if it was face-to- face
Have water
Be concise
Know the tech and how to fix it if it goes wrong
Clean, professional surroundings
Head and shoulders
Minimise background noise
Solid colour outfit
Look at the lens

13. Perform: what should you ask them?

14. My interview experience
Useful resources
An Academic Career
Vitae
Careers Service
My interview experience
Interview simulator

15. Connect with us Careers Service, Level 1, Kings Gate Careers Service
Join us on
facebook.com/nclcareers
Follow us on twitter #ncl_careers
Newcastle University Careers. Find us on YouTube
Careers Service
Level 1 of King’s Gate
Drop-in: 11-4:30
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