Research assistant interview TIPS

[dach]

Hey guys,

 

Sorry, but I am not a grad student. I am an undergrad going into my second year.

 

I have been e-mailing many profs for a research position for 2014-2015 academic year, and a prof messaged me back saying that he wants to meet me next week.

 

However, I have no idea how I should prepare for this meeting/interview. What kind of questions do they ask?

 

Also, I have some questions I want to ask regarding one of their papers, but I am afraid that I would forget them during the interview due to nervousness. So I am planning on bringing a physical copy of the list of questions I have, as well as physical copies of their paper(s).

Would that be acceptable? Or would the prof think it's stupid to bring physical copies?

 

Thank you very much in advance!

 

I appreciate any help, and I hope the best for your future endeavors!

 

- Dach

 

[Vene]

I've not done interviews like that with a professor, but I have some experience with job interviews. Here's what I'd suggest. Dress nicely, for academia that doesn't mean you need the equivalent of a suit, but wear a nice shirt and slacks (or skirt) with nice shoes, if for not other reason than as a sign of respect and that you're taking it seriously. And bringing physical papers is not a bad idea. I don't know how useful the professor's published work will be though I do think it's a good idea to being a notepad of some sort where you can have your questions written down and you should bring a pen so you can scribble down any notes.

[Gvh]

I interviewed for my lab job and I agree with Vene's comments. I would also add to make sure you read 2-3 of the prof's latest/most prominent papers. 

I don't know what field you're in, but I would also brush up on the main methods (e.g. stats) that are used in the field. 

[TakeruK]

These types of meetings can go a lot of different ways, depending on how the prof is and how the group works etc. When I was a second year student emailing a bunch of profs to look for my first research position (if this is what you are doing), my meetings were really just meetings, not formal job interviews. It was basically me and the prof sitting down and learning more about each other--mostly him trying to figure out what I was interested in, what I knew how to do, and what I could do in his group that would be a good learning experience for me as well as provide useful stuff for him. 

 

If it's this kind of meeting/interview, then I think the most important thing is to be prepared and interested in what research they are doing. Reading a paper and having questions is a good way to do this. Definitely bring something to write with and it's perfectly fine to have a few notes about what questions to ask. I think you should be able to articulate your interests clearly and concisely. It is fine for a second year student to just say something like "I just want to do research to see what it's like", because that's probably the truth, just make sure you convey the enthusiasm and passion sincerely. You don't need to approach this like a full job interview where you have to sell your skills (because it's rare for a second year student to have many), but you do want to portray an image of someone they would like to mentor/advise. Ask intelligent questions, be knowledgeable in the subject area they are working on (make sure you know the stuff you should be expected to know from your coursework), be well prepared, be professional, and have enthusiasm! It would not hurt to assess your own abilities though and make sure you know how to bring up any relevant skills though, especially if you have developed in courses or lab classes.

 

Another type of RA interview I had was when I was applying for a specific job posting that was advertised. I think these meetings/interviews are a lot more like "real job" interviews. You should have already submitted a cover letter and resume--make sure you bring an extra copy with you to the meeting. Definitely bring a notepad and a pen too. For academic jobs, these interviews tend to begin with a few introductory questions about you and what you know (classes you took, skills you have, etc.) and then they usually spend some time explaining the fine details of the project to you. This is where you can really shine if you did your background research and if you are applying to a job that fits your knowledge. In my experience with these interviews, they will often also describe the kind of work they are looking for a student to do and then ask if you have done something like that before. So, if you are well prepared and know how to sell the skills you have, you can do really well here.

 

When I was an undergrad, I added the co-op option to my degree, which was an extra year (actually 16 months) where you do full time paid work in your field. You have to interview for new jobs every 4-8 months so I have gone through a lot of undergrad RA position interviews of both kinds!

[dach]

Thanks a lot to all of you, very helpful comments!

[victorydance]

Three things:

 

1) Read their recent work, especially any working papers they may have currently. You should understand the basic methods behind the research and what they are trying to accomplish with it. But also more of the nuanced things behind the theory. The better you know it, the easier it will be to improvise on questions/discuss it 1 on 1.

 

2) Relax. Most of these things are super informal (although it depends on the prof). Think of this as kind of like a coffee date or something; they are going to ask you who you are, what you study, then transition to research/what kind of position is available. Just be yourself, and show that you are interested in doing research. Chances are, as a second year undergrad, you are probably just going to be doing a shit load of lit reviews at first (depending on what discipline you are in), so there isn't a crazy screening process if you show that you are interested/understand research as a good level for your status.

 

3) I agree to bring a notepad, but I disagree to take notes/and or read questions. You are talking to someone 1 on 1, this isn't a lecture. Make eye contact and be expressive and positive. A second year undergrad that comes in and starts reading notes and jotting down a bunch of things is so stereotypical it's not funny. Be prepared with questions sure, but make it seem natural. This is good preparation for interacting with profs in general, you want to make office hours a time where it is an actual conversation not an extension of a lecture.

[TakeruK]

3) I agree to bring a notepad, but I disagree to take notes/and or read questions. You are talking to someone 1 on 1, this isn't a lecture. Make eye contact and be expressive and positive. A second year undergrad that comes in and starts reading notes and jotting down a bunch of things is so stereotypical it's not funny. Be prepared with questions sure, but make it seem natural. This is good preparation for interacting with profs in general, you want to make office hours a time where it is an actual conversation not an extension of a lecture.

 

Sorry, I should have been way more clear about the notepad thing. Yes, bring it, but don't take notes as you talk. Keep your pen in your pocket or someplace out of the way! Only use it if you need to draw a quick diagram to explain something, or jot down a paper reference they want you to read, or if they tell you to talk to X or Y etc. Basically, only write down explicit instructions from them to show that you are serious about what they are saying--and also so you won't forget!!

[Vene]

Sorry, I should have been way more clear about the notepad thing. Yes, bring it, but don't take notes as you talk. Keep your pen in your pocket or someplace out of the way! Only use it if you need to draw a quick diagram to explain something, or jot down a paper reference they want you to read, or if they tell you to talk to X or Y etc. Basically, only write down explicit instructions from them to show that you are serious about what they are saying--and also so you won't forget!!

Those are actually my thoughts with a notepad as well. You're not attending a lecture, there's no reason to take notes in the same manner. But, if a professor says their current project is based on an idea they got after reading a paper by Smith et al, jot down the name of the paper. Or, if you have several questions you want answered write them down on a page, but don't stare at your notepad as you mechanically read it. Instead, glance down to refresh yourself on what you want to know, you should already have an idea of what questions you want to ask. Maybe you want to know what your role in the group will be and if you will be mentored by a grad student, post-doc, or the PI; so you write down a statement on your notepad so you don't forget it when under pressure.

[victorydance]

^ Agreed.

[someth1ng]

The first time I went to meet my supervisor for a major project (semester long) during my first year, I pretty much wore ordinary university student clothing - nothing fancy. Most of the talk way very relaxing and was just to know each other better and to get a better grasp of what each of you do, would like to do, and possibly your timetable.

 

When I met the research group after the first short meeting, I had a look at their research and their results. I found interesting things and designed my own experiment along a different path which was different to the original project but it worked out well. You don't need to worry too much, they know that you're a university student and they are fully aware of what you need to do so they usually understand.

[spec789]

Don't forget that in a sense, you are also interviewing the professor to see if he would be a good mentor/adviser for you.

 

If the RA position is starting to appear like a sure thing during the conversation, you should ask questions about his expectations of you. I just had an interview with a professor about starting in his lab for my first rotation and some questions I asked were:

 

- expected work hours/schedule

- how often does he meet with his students

- how often does he go on sabbatical/travel

- suggested coursework (if any)

 

The last thing you want is a case where you work long but strange hours, and so the professor who never sees you, thinks you are doing no work and tells you that you need to work more, and you who are actually working insane hours, thinks he's being an unreasonable asshole.

 

If you want to go even further with this, you might even want to ask if you can meet his grad students. The surest indicator that the professor you are meeting with is not as great of a mentor as he appears, is that he has a tense unhappy lab environment.

[Calorific]

In addition to what everyone has already said, I think you should go through the following blog post if you have the time before your interview: fancylittlerobots.blogspot.com/2014/07/so-why-bother-with-phd.html?m=1

Best wishes!