I have been recruiting a post doc researcher this week. Applying for academic jobs is hard, and interviews are also hard (especially when on video call). Thought some general thoughts might be helpful to anyone who is starting out in the academic job hunt at present (1/10)

1. Interviewers love examples. Tell us about a situation, tell us your role in that situation, what you learnt, and what skills or experience it shows or has given you. We can all say 'I am organised' but better to show how you are organised through an example (2/10)

2. If someone has shortlisted you for a job they think you have the potential to do that job. You need to show them how you can do it. Yes it can feel uncomfortable talking about your self, but you will have amazing skills and experience and its your chance to share that (3/10)

3. Plan ahead for the types of things you might be asked in interviews, so that you can be ready with some ideas of what you might need to say. Use the person spec but also look at generic academic interview questions too, e.g. https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researcher-careers/pursuing-an-academic-career/applying-for-academic-jobs/commonly-asked-questions-in-academic-interviews (4/10)

4. Think about the questions you might ask in the interview too. Go for questions that show you are thinking about the role and have researched it, and that help you know more about the place you may be considering working. Its a chance to find out if the ole suits you! (5/10)

5. Tie your answers back to the specific role. The academic job market is brutal and the reason you are applying might well be 'I need a job'. Recruiters understand that...and demonstrating why you want that particular job will more likely help you get it (6/10)

6. Interviews are something which take practice.Try and get practice before the actual interview event, even if that's a friend or family member asking you a few practice questions, it helps you get into that frame of mind and allows you to focus on what you might do or say(7/10)

7. Nerves are normal. Interviewers know that, we've all been there where you feel like you've been put in a washing machine and cant think straight. Try and relax as much as you can, be confident that the recruiters want to hear more about you after reading your application(8/10)

If anyone wants more advice or has questions about interviews, I'm super happy to answer them and to offer any help I reasonably can (9/10)

I have been reminded yet again this week how incredible the early career research talent we have is. Academia should be nurturing you amazing people much more than current systems often allow for, you are the future of research and I for one know that we are in safe hand! (10/10)