Tips from @Dr_DeeWatt & more PIs during our #BlackInNeuro workshop on preparing for virtual interviews: a thread

•limit distractions
•TEST YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION
•dress for the interview (something that makes you feel confident & comfortable!)

#BiNInterviews

•PRACTICE your responses to common questions (there are tons of interview lists online or just ask around )

•develop questions to ask (ask about things important TO YOU - ex: mental health services, attitudes towards teaching& outreach)

•send a follow-up thank you note

Assume the other person is EXCITED to hear about you and your work! So relax and tell them how cool what you do is

“It’s not scary. It’s an opportunity”
-Ariel Levine @ArielJLevine

“You are an interviewer as much as an interviewee. “

You need to find out if the program is a right fit FOR YOU!

The program wants you as much as you want them (evidenced by them taking time to interview you because YOU’RE AMAZING )

-Ramesh Raghupathi @raghupathirames

How to find if it’s a good place for you to thrive:

-talk to faculty

-have side conversations with current students (is it a supportive or toxic environment?)

-talk to PAST students (especially recent graduates) because they may be more honest

-Mariam Aly @mariam_s_aly

Anytime you talk about a challenge or weakness, talk about how you’ve grown/changed from it and what you learned. Don’t leave it as a negative.

Everyone has weaknesses. But emphasize how it’s made you better.

-Taraz Lee @TarazLee

If you talk about specific methods/techniques that drive you and make you excited about research, be sure to explain how that relates to the program you’re applying for.

Connect the dots on how it can be applied to work with future PIs

-Jeremy Hogeveen @JeremyHogeveen

Be natural. Don’t give extremely rehearsed questions because people can tell. Let the conversation flow

-Alfredo Spagna @SpagnaPhD

Some interviewers prefer hearing about the research question; not the methods you did.

What question were you trying to answer? What interests you about that research?

Think of the bigger picture
-Julie Haas

“In academia, there are few opportunities where you have someone’s undivided attention - so use this as an opportunity to show your excitement about your work!”

-David Clewett @DavidClewett

Be concise in your responses so you can leave time for professors to talk about their research. Because they LOVE talking about themselves & their research

-Julie Siegenthaler @SiegenthalerLab

If you’ve served on an grad school admissions committee, feel free to add any advice!