How do I prepare for a Ph.D. Personal Interview (PI)?
Author: DR.N.V. Srinivasa Rao Post Date: 17 Nov 2023
The format of the interview will vary from institute to institute. In some universities it may be held as an informal talk and in some universities it will be before a panel. Some universities may conduct one-on-one interviews with the supervisor. Whatever may be the format the candidate should utilise this opportunity to show his/her strengths and skills to the committee. Good communication skills are very important. Talk firmly but politely. Don't show your hesitation or nervousness in your communication. Dress properly and give a formal presentation of yourself to the committee.
Performance in the personal interview makes a very strong impact on the professors who will be on the committee. These members will be generally, the Dean of the stream in the university, the Head of the Department, the Research Guide and other Professors or scientists if it is a research laboratory with whom the candidate will be associating during the PhD program. So candidates should not take it lightly and take all precautions so that they will perform well.
The first thing will be self introduction. The candidate should mention his / her name in full. The candidate should also mention about his educational qualifications with the rank obtained. While giving the introduction, the candidate should talk confidently and there should not be any hesitation and fear. If necessary the candidate can ask his colleagues or other members of the house to conduct dummy interviews so that they will get accustomed to the process of interview.
The candidate should be able to mention very clearly the interest he/she is having in doing research. The candidate should give a brief description of the PhD project and explain how this work will be useful to the scientific community. If necessary and allowed a PowerPoint presentation can be made and presented to the committee. When the presentation is made, the candidate should not read what is written on the screen. The candidate should take a hint from the point written on the screen and explain in his/her own words.
After the presentation, the candidate should hear the questions that are posed by the members of the panel and should give proper answers. No guesswork. Answers should be correct and if not known. telling the same is better than trying to guess and give a wrong answer.
The format of the interview will vary from institute to institute. In some universities it may be held as an informal talk and in some universities it will be before a panel. Some universities may conduct one-on-one interviews with the supervisor. Whatever may be the format the candidate should utilise this opportunity to show his/her strengths and skills to the committee. Good communication skills are very important. Talk firmly but politely. Don't show your hesitation or nervousness in your communication. Dress properly and give a formal presentation of yourself to the committee.
Performance in the personal interview makes a very strong impact on the professors who will be on the committee. These members will be generally, the Dean of the stream in the university, the Head of the Department, the Research Guide and other Professors or scientists if it is a research laboratory with whom the candidate will be associating during the PhD program. So candidates should not take it lightly and take all precautions so that they will perform well.
The first thing will be self introduction. The candidate should mention his / her name in full. The candidate should also mention about his educational qualifications with the rank obtained. While giving the introduction, the candidate should talk confidently and there should not be any hesitation and fear. If necessary the candidate can ask his colleagues or other members of the house to conduct dummy interviews so that they will get accustomed to the process of interview.
The candidate should be able to mention very clearly the interest he/she is having in doing research. The candidate should give a brief description of the PhD project and explain how this work will be useful to the scientific community. If necessary and allowed a PowerPoint presentation can be made and presented to the committee. When the presentation is made, the candidate should not read what is written on the screen. The candidate should take a hint from the point written on the screen and explain in his/her own words.
After the presentation, the candidate should hear the questions that are posed by the members of the panel and should give proper answers. No guesswork. Answers should be correct and if not known. telling the same is better than trying to guess and give a wrong answer.
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