Ettiquet Question: RA Interviews

[BiopsychStudent]

At the start of the summer when I was more aggressively seeking out research assistant positions, prior to application season, one of the most common phone interview questions I had was "How long do you plan to work?" - I used to answer that I was considering graduate school, so possibly one to two years.

Now that application season is over and I have more free time on my hands I'm out looking for RA jobs again- and I have a phone interview later in the week. The question "How long do you plan to work?" will come up again. Only now... I don't know how to answer it: Maybe six months? Maybe longer? It doesn't sound like the answer they want to hear- so I've got a bit of a dilemma.

1) Be open: Inform them I applied to graduate school and might be able to work for 6 months, or 2 years. This seems like the right thing to do. However... I'm sure I'll be passed over for someone who can definitely commit.

2) Don't disclose that I have applied: Even though I did all I could to get into PhD programs there's no guarantee of acceptance, and its prudent to have a backup plan such as working as an RA for a few years. Its really more likely that I will be rejected: So I really am planning to work at the lab in question for at least 1 year. But If I do get into a program I'll need to resign at the end of the summer in order to attend graduate school, if I don't... I've secured a job which will help me get where I want to go.

I don't like the idea of omitting my application to PhD programs as it seems extraordinarily dishonest and impolite at the very least. But I think its going to be highly detrimental to me if I place a potential employer's convenience ahead of myself.

Any thoughts? Should I hold off my search for an RA position until I find out if I'm accepted?

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[Student4Life0]

At the start of the summer when I was more aggressively seeking out research assistant positions, prior to application season, one of the most common phone interview questions I had was "How long do you plan to work?" - I used to answer that I was considering graduate school, so possibly one to two years.

Now that application season is over and I have more free time on my hands I'm out looking for RA jobs again- and I have a phone interview later in the week. The question "How long do you plan to work?" will come up again. Only now... I don't know how to answer it: Maybe six months? Maybe longer? It doesn't sound like the answer they want to hear- so I've got a bit of a dilemma.

1) Be open: Inform them I applied to graduate school and might be able to work for 6 months, or 2 years. This seems like the right thing to do. However... I'm sure I'll be passed over for someone who can definitely commit.

2) Don't disclose that I have applied: Even though I did all I could to get into PhD programs there's no guarantee of acceptance, and its prudent to have a backup plan such as working as an RA for a few years. Its really more likely that I will be rejected: So I really am planning to work at the lab in question for at least 1 year. But If I do get into a program I'll need to resign at the end of the summer in order to attend graduate school, if I don't... I've secured a job which will help me get where I want to go.

I don't like the idea of omitting my application to PhD programs as it seems extraordinarily dishonest and impolite at the very least. But I think its going to be highly detrimental to me if I place a potential employer's convenience ahead of myself.

Any thoughts? Should I hold off my search for an RA position until I find out if I'm accepted?

Personally, I would still do the phone interview and be honest. After that, I would stop looking for RA jobs until you know if you have gotten in or not.

I do know how you feel though. I am currently applying, and I know that the chances are high that I will not get into any of the programs of my choice (meaning funded). If I do not, I am considering taking a year off to be an RA.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Just as an FYI, most full time RA positions will expect a two year-ish commitment. Plus, a few months of RA experience before you apply is unlikely to add anything truly substantial to your app. Applying with a year-plus of that experience (and maybe some presentations from it), on the other hand....