After sending your postgraduate course application, the next step is to wait for an interview call. Though all courses do not need an interview as part of their selection process, but most technical and management courses hold an interview to judge the knowledge and soft skills of a candidate first hand. Sometimes, it is also necessary as consideration for associated scholarships.
Why Interview?
The interview process is designed to determine whether a candidate will be able to cope with the requirements of the course. They will be looking for skills that will be relevant to undertake the study such as research and communication skills, IT skills, problem solving and analytical skills, work and practical experience and most importantly commitment and perseverance. So, try to think about these skills and attributes and mention them in your answers.
Interviews can follow different formats depending on respective university policy and location of candidates/university.
Formats of Interview
- Face to face interview: Here, you will have to be present at a location mentioned by the university. There might be just one interviewer or a panel of experts. Questions will be asked related to your decision for intended studies, motivations and previous experiences.
- Video/Virtual interview: This type of interview is generally carried out for international candidates who cannot attend the interview in person at the specified location. Questions will be similar to the above format. Make sure you have high speed internet, a good webcam and sit in a quiet, tidy, well- lit area. The interview can be held on any of the popular online platforms such as Skype.
- Informal discussion: This can be face-to-face or online. It is less rigorous and more relaxed. No matter how casual the discussion is, be sure to show your enthusiasm for the course and discuss your relevant experiences.
- Oral presentation: This format is mostly relevant for research based study and MBA courses. While presenting, be sure to have a clear outline of your research proposal and talk through your planned methodology. This also provides an opportunity to prove your public speaking and leadership skills.
- Written/aptitude test: A test might be required to prove your technical skills, specially for vocational courses. Make yourself acquainted with the format and length of the test.
Whatever be the format and structure of the interview, you will be asked questions to prove your enthusiasm and merit to undertake the study program you have applied for. The questions are similar to the ones you answered in your personal statement. So, always refer to your personal statement while preparing.
I am listing below a few common questions that you might be asked during your interview along with some guidance on preparing the answers.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself.
This question provides an opportunity to outline your previous academic qualifications and professional experiences. Highlight some important projects and achievements. Please dont assume that the interviewer has memorized your CV!!
This question provides an opportunity to outline your previous academic qualifications and professional experiences. Highlight some important projects and achievements. Please dont assume that the interviewer has memorized your CV!!
Q. Why did you apply for a course in this college/ university?
Be honest and mention the factors that drove you to apply, for example the international ranking of the university, modern equipment and latest technology in labs, great career development service etc.
Q. Why have you chosen this course?
If you do not have enough knowledge about the course or unfamiliar with it, you will not be able to give an impression of an enthusiastic and passionate candidate. Start reading about the objective of the course, details of the course modules and show your interest area aligned to them. Make a reference to your undergraduate study or any previous project that has inspired you to pursue this course. Additionally, if you have a career in mind, show how the course will help you to achieve your dreams.
If you do not have enough knowledge about the course or unfamiliar with it, you will not be able to give an impression of an enthusiastic and passionate candidate. Start reading about the objective of the course, details of the course modules and show your interest area aligned to them. Make a reference to your undergraduate study or any previous project that has inspired you to pursue this course. Additionally, if you have a career in mind, show how the course will help you to achieve your dreams.
Browse through some latest research in your field of interest, even better, a research carried out by someone connected to the course. This way you can prove your enthusiasm and interest.
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Universities like high-achievers and thus your answer should reflect your aspirations and a desire to continue work, related to the field of study. Its true that nobody is going to track you down in five years and check whether your aspirations have come true, so be bold but realistic with your answer. You should know that a vague and confused answer will not prove you to be driven and passionate enough.
Universities like high-achievers and thus your answer should reflect your aspirations and a desire to continue work, related to the field of study. Its true that nobody is going to track you down in five years and check whether your aspirations have come true, so be bold but realistic with your answer. You should know that a vague and confused answer will not prove you to be driven and passionate enough.
Q. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This provides an opportunity to discuss your strengths that will help you to excel in your course and be a good team member of the class. As for weaknesses, you have to be careful not to make yourself sound like a horrible candidate. Discuss about problems that you have come across in the past like organising your writing, confusions in reference styling and similar academic things. But also be sure to add what you've done to combat your weaknesses and how you are improving in those areas.
This provides an opportunity to discuss your strengths that will help you to excel in your course and be a good team member of the class. As for weaknesses, you have to be careful not to make yourself sound like a horrible candidate. Discuss about problems that you have come across in the past like organising your writing, confusions in reference styling and similar academic things. But also be sure to add what you've done to combat your weaknesses and how you are improving in those areas.
Q. Have you applied anywhere else?
Don't be scared of this question. The interviewer is not going to scrap your application just because you have applied elsewhere. So, be honest and make it look positive as you have decided to attend this university interview.
Don't be scared of this question. The interviewer is not going to scrap your application just because you have applied elsewhere. So, be honest and make it look positive as you have decided to attend this university interview.
Q. How do you intend to fund your study?
Have this answer worked out before going to the interview. If you have managed to bag a scholarship or have applied for one, let them know. If not, show that you will fund it personally through savings or through study loan. Also, let them know if you have plans for part- time work which can further help in your career development.
Have this answer worked out before going to the interview. If you have managed to bag a scholarship or have applied for one, let them know. If not, show that you will fund it personally through savings or through study loan. Also, let them know if you have plans for part- time work which can further help in your career development.
Q. Which person from your field do you admire the most and why?
The answer will reflect something about you, so be careful with your choice and explain it properly. The admired person can be somebody you know personally or whose work you admire or you want to follow. Whatever be your choice, it should have justifiable reasons to inspire you. Other similar questions like about your favourite book, is also a way to know more about you. Your reading choices will indicate your interests, beliefs and goals. So, answer wisely!
The answer will reflect something about you, so be careful with your choice and explain it properly. The admired person can be somebody you know personally or whose work you admire or you want to follow. Whatever be your choice, it should have justifiable reasons to inspire you. Other similar questions like about your favourite book, is also a way to know more about you. Your reading choices will indicate your interests, beliefs and goals. So, answer wisely!
Tips for the Day of Interview
Tip 1: Prepare commonly asked questions
You can refer to the above questions and prepare your answers beforehand. But be sure not to make them sound like parrot-talk, rather be natural!
Tip 2: Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer
At the end of the interview, you will be given an opportunity to ask questions. As you don't want to bombard them with tens of questions, choose at the most three questions. Make sure you read the prospectus well enough and ask only what is missing. Questions can be regarding available funding/grant arrangements, tutorial arrangements, employment prospects etc.
Tip 3: Dress smartly
As for clothing, treat this interview as a job interview. Generally there is no dress code, but stick to formal dressing. This even applies to online video interviews. Smart and clean clothes will help to make a good impression.
Tip 4: Carry your CV, Personal Statement and a Portfolio of past work
Carry some of the documents that you have already submitted. A portfolio will make it easy to discuss your past work with the interviewer.
Tip 5: Be confident and full of enthusiasm
You can refer to the above questions and prepare your answers beforehand. But be sure not to make them sound like parrot-talk, rather be natural!
Tip 2: Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer
At the end of the interview, you will be given an opportunity to ask questions. As you don't want to bombard them with tens of questions, choose at the most three questions. Make sure you read the prospectus well enough and ask only what is missing. Questions can be regarding available funding/grant arrangements, tutorial arrangements, employment prospects etc.
Tip 3: Dress smartly
As for clothing, treat this interview as a job interview. Generally there is no dress code, but stick to formal dressing. This even applies to online video interviews. Smart and clean clothes will help to make a good impression.
Tip 4: Carry your CV, Personal Statement and a Portfolio of past work
Carry some of the documents that you have already submitted. A portfolio will make it easy to discuss your past work with the interviewer.
Tip 5: Be confident and full of enthusiasm
The interviewer needs to see your passion and interests in the course. You also have to provide reasonable and well-described answers to the questions asked to show your thinking, speaking and convincing qualities.
Some universities wait for completion of interviews of all potential candidates, whereas some offer places right after individual interviews. So be patient and wait for some time to hear back from them via email, phone or letter.
Good luck and give your best!!
Professionally I am a Conservation Architect. That means I spend most of my time snooping dilapidated and haunted buildings. I love the smell of old damp lime washed walls. Sorry to put you off with all the unpleasant details.
Now for the fun facts. I have been living in this extremely cold socialist country (Its Finland, for the people who are still guessing!) for a few years now. But I was also in London doing my second post-graduation (University College London) and working on a few projects for the last 1.5 years.
Being a culture enthusiast, I have travelled far and wide in Europe learning the culture and trying the unique local cuisines. Yes, I am a foodie too!
Cheers to Life!
Some universities wait for completion of interviews of all potential candidates, whereas some offer places right after individual interviews. So be patient and wait for some time to hear back from them via email, phone or letter.
Good luck and give your best!!
Sohini Nandi
Hello from the Land of Santa Claus!!Professionally I am a Conservation Architect. That means I spend most of my time snooping dilapidated and haunted buildings. I love the smell of old damp lime washed walls. Sorry to put you off with all the unpleasant details.
Now for the fun facts. I have been living in this extremely cold socialist country (Its Finland, for the people who are still guessing!) for a few years now. But I was also in London doing my second post-graduation (University College London) and working on a few projects for the last 1.5 years.
Being a culture enthusiast, I have travelled far and wide in Europe learning the culture and trying the unique local cuisines. Yes, I am a foodie too!
Cheers to Life!
Just one appreciation for this very useful article - " Excellent"
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
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