Thread by @sjay_yayy

The INTERVIEW between you & your potential PhD supervisor before formally applying

is really CRUCIAL⭐️⭐️⭐️

But you may blow off this opportunity by not preparing the right way:

A long 🧵 on how to do it RIGHT

@olumuyiwaayo @Oludeewon @PhDfriendSana @baba_Omoloro @PhDVoice

1. Don’t stress too much

If you’ve been invited for a zoom/Skype call, it’s a SOLID sign that they like your research ideas sufficiently.

They may want to assess additional things over the call such as:

• Your ability to articulate your research ideas orally

As a PhD scholar, you need to have engaging oral and written communication skills.

While they are certainly impressed with the way you write about your research, they want to know whether you can speak about it as well.

To practice speaking well, hold a mock interview session with your current supervisor

where you explain to them the research work you have done so far

and why those experiences make you fit for a PhD.

• You can use this opportunity to highlight any unusual circumstance…

that affected your profile in both good or bad ways.

For instance, I told mine that I was really looking forward to my internship in Germany but I couldn’t travel because of COVID-19.

I then told him how it shaped my profile in a better way because it allowed me explore…..

things that were different from what I would have explored in Germany.

Because I didn’t go to Germany, I had the time to write a review paper and publish it in a top journal and it taught me a lot about academic publishing.

2. In a notebook, write any particular finding or project of theirs that has really fascinated you.

Maybe you could ask them questions about the project and steer the conversation by giving your ideas about the same or similar projects in the future.

This will give them an….

impression that you have the ability to build ideas on existing work that’s going on there.

It’s a huge PLUS for them from an investment point of view.

3. Be ready to share a small presentation of your ideas/current project with them in case they ask for a few details.

It’s always helpful to make these PPTs because it helps you organise your data in your recent memory.

If they don’t ask for too many details, don’t show…..

But it doesn’t hurt to make one.

Instead it makes it easier for you to remember what all work you’ve done in the process of preparing the slides.

4. Be prepared to answer questions related to your

•Motivation to pursue your PhD
•Long-term career goals
•Work ethic………

•Research preferences
•Family status (👨‍👩‍👦/👩‍❤️‍👨/🧍🏻
•Plans for funding (in case there’s no internal funding)
• Managing stress

5. Keep tracking their website/google scholar to see if they’ve published anything new, won any awards or grants etc. and congratulate them on that..

A student who keeps themselves updated with their PI’s professional life exhibits a genuine interest in working with them.

6. Make quick notes on a notebook about any information that you might consider important (such as deadlines, SoP tips, grad student contacts etc.) while

you’re in a meeting with them.

Avoid bugging them via email requesting them the information that they have already shared over the call.

7. Ask them over the call:

• What opportunities exist for collaboration with peers, other departments & universities.

• What kind of learning opportunities will I get during the program? Grant writing/authorships/conference presentations & so on.

• What are your expectations from your grad students?

• What is the bigger/long-term aim of your lab?

• Harassment redressal policies

• Mental health services

You could ask them if they (and they mostly will) offer you to ask questions to them.

If you feel they are not very open to entertain your questions (this may be a thing to worry about, but do email them your concerns).

If they reply via email….

adequately, nothing to worry about then!

Also, be prepared to answer a few technical questions.

For instance, you may be asked (depending on your field):

• Difference between A and B (like curiosity & interest)

• Who’s your favourite researcher in your field?

• Why do you think technique A has traditionally not worked, what would you suggest to bring improvements?

• Why do you think data in this field lacking?

and so on.

A few dos and don’ts

- Don’t try to record the meeting unless they ask ❌
- Don’t fake anything

-Don’t sit in places with a bad internet connection.
-Don’t wait for the last moment to open the laptop. Be prepared to join the meeting as soon as they let you in.
-If you’re the host of the meeting, be inside the room at least ten minutes before the start so as to prepare…..

yourself.
- Don’t dress up in an unusual manner. Wear formals or semi-formal clothes.
-Don’t sit in a noisy or a poorly lit area. Book a spot for you 2 days before to avoid any knocking on the door/disturbances.

Remember to:

-Thank them for their time at the end.

- Also send them a sweet and short email about what all you liked in the meeting and thank them again for meeting with you.
-If they said that they’ll send you some documents for reference, send them a reminder if they haven’t followed up for a week.

And lastly, Chill! ❤️