My Top 5 Tips From Being on a PhD Interview Panel

#1 Know your why

It is important to know your why: why this university? Why this training programme? Why this project? Why do a PhD?

Academics dedicate their time to designing training programmes to support your learning and creating PhD projects that further their field of interest. So you need to dedicate your time to considering what attracts you to this opportunity in particular. Aim to combine your passion for the project with detailed knowledge of your university/programme and your commitment will stand out in the interview.

#2 It’s all in the details

Interviewers will meet with multiple candidates, so the same vague and generic answers can become lost. Review your previous experiences and know them in detail. This will add credibility to your answers and demonstrate the variety of your key skills.

#3 Here for a long time, not just the good times

The interviewers are looking for someone who wants to commit several years to a project. They want to know that you understand what the life of a PhD student is like and how this may differ from your previous university experiences. It is tempting to answer these questions positively to show your enthusiasm, but research is filled with many highs and lows. Instead, a more realistic approach based on your previous experience will demonstrate that you are prepared for a PhD.

A great way to gain this insight is to speak with current students. Never met a PhD student? Supervisors are usually happy to connect you to one of their students over email or coffee.

#4 Any future plans? You don’t have to be a professor. . .

Take a moment to consider where a PhD might lead you and how this might change throughout your project. A simple answer like “professor” can indicate a lack of understanding of the career steps involved in academia. Take a more thoughtful approach and consider how a PhD might help you. Many roles in industry value the skills developed during a PhD and your interviewers will be keen to encourage this.

#5 You don’t have to know everything!

Academics want to find someone who can become a good PhD student. If faced with a challenging interview question, use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to problem solve and participate in discussion. These scenarios can also help you to assess what working with your prospective supervisor might look like. Take time to engage with your supervisor about PhD life, their expectations, and the project. Also consider what other questions you could ask to help inform your decision. This will ultimately help you to decide whether to pursue this exciting opportunity.