monachos11

For those of you preparing for Skype interviews for research grants, here is what I wished I did differently on mine. Don't be distracted if the committee looks disinterested or if they're writing while you talk. They are paying attention. Try to limit your responses to a minute. The natural tendency is to prattle on, especially if the committee looks disinterested and you're nervous. Resist! And finally, what surprised me most, be prepared to summarize your application. I was expecting questions about the application, but all I got were questions that I had already addressed in the application, like language preparation and social engagement. It's not that the committee didn't read it. A major purpose of the interview (that I didn't realize) is to see if you can clearly articulate the project you proposed and the reasons you applied for that particular grant. Keep it basic, passionate, and succinct within a minute. 10 minutes goes fast! It's also not a bad idea to have a question for them. Check your Commission's social media accounts, see what they've been up to, and be ready to ask about it. Good luck everybody!!