Interview?

[Azarashi1]

So, one of my PoI got in touch with me to have an informal "interview" (as I am an international student it will be on Skype). Just to give you a sense of how informal this is: the deadline for this school hasn´t even passed yet!

What kind of questions could come up? And I do know that there are several threads about Skype interviews in the apposite section, but

it is my very first interview with a US school, so I´d like to know a little bit more about what is usually asked specifically to psychology students.

If anyone had, in the past, an informal ´chat´with a PoI, could you please tell me how it played out?

Thank you very much

[DarwinAG]

I had one of those interviews. Here are some advice:

-Treat it as a formal interview. With that said, any questions that you would be asked in a formal interview. The open ones I was asked included "How did you get into emotion research?", "tell me about your research experience", "What do you like about my work?". This one threw me off: "What is the most compelling research you've done?".

-Dress as if it was a formal interview. I didn't wear a suit, but I wore a buttoned up shirt. Also, behave as if the person is right in front of you. Yes it's on skype, but you should act as professional as possible.

-I was freaking out about a skype interview also, and one of my advisors just told me that the POI (she happened to know her) is just trying to get a sense of "fit" between you two. She wants to know she can talk about research with you. With that said, I was very candid about what I liked about her research. We ended up chatting for about an hour and about 40 minutes of that we talked about research. I proposed three studies I think. I asked her four questions I have written out.

-I also think I may have somehow suggested that "we should" end the chat since I didnt want to take up too much of her time. That is the wrong approach. You should let them initiate when to end the conversation. Or if you want an idea of the duration, you can politely ask if you need to make room for an hour or two in your schedule. Phrase it like, "also, I do have XYZ engagement, but I would be happy to move it up so that we are not pressed for time." This may not be the best way to phrase it. Hopefully someone else can comment on that.

Edited December 19, 2012 by DarwinAG