I'm interviewing with a very prestigious interviewer. I'd really appreciate advice.

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

FergusonMO

Membership Revoked
Removed
7+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2015
Messages
13
Reaction score
6
I'm interviewing with a prestigious renowned interviewer with a 45 page CV, who has pretty much everything you can think of in his CV. It's pretty humbling, but how would you recommend handling an interview with such a person? I've been reading some of his research articles and I've gone through his resume and it's amazing. How would you recommend interacting with such an interviewer? I don't want to be thought of as sucking-up to him, but he's done amazing things, a lot of which i'm interested in, and at the same time I'd feel terrible if I didn't ask him anything because this is a once in a lifetime chance for me, and I don't want to get distracted from discussing the school which is also amazing. Also, any recommendations on how to handle my interview would be very much appreciated.

Should I still treat it as a simple conversation, where I'm trying to make a friend? It's hard not to get a little intimidated too. I don't want to come off as awkward. Has anyone been in a similar situation, if so how did you handle the interviewer?
 
If he's got a 45 page CV, then you can be sure he'll talk about himself and his work.

Ask him what motivates him?
 
What is the context of this interview?

It's a traditional medical school interview and my last of the season most likely. I was given a sheet with his information and he's very impressive like beyond very impressive. How would you handle such an interview if you were the applicant?
 
My PI has a 75 pg CV. He loves to talk. In an interview he will end up being the one doing most of the talking

Your post brings up a very interesting point: what if my interviewer does most of the talking? It's going to be a bit hard to be evaluated if I don't say anything or much of anything.
 
Your post brings up a very interesting point: what if my interviewer does most of the talking? It's going to be a bit hard to be evaluated if I don't say anything or much of anything.

Do the same thing you do with a chatty friend, just more respectfully
 
I'm interviewing with a prestigious renowned interviewer with a 45 page CV, who has pretty much everything you can think of in his CV. It's pretty humbling, but how would you recommend handling an interview with such a person? I've been reading some of his research articles and I've gone through his resume and it's amazing. How would you recommend interacting with such an interviewer? I don't want to be thought of as sucking-up to him, but he's done amazing things, a lot of which i'm interested in, and at the same time I'd feel terrible if I didn't ask him anything because this is a once in a lifetime chance for me, and I don't want to get distracted from discussing the school which is also amazing. Also, any recommendations on how to handle my interview would be very much appreciated.

Should I still treat it as a simple conversation, where I'm trying to make a friend? It's hard not to get a little intimidated too. I don't want to come off as awkward. Has anyone been in a similar situation, if so how did you handle the interviewer?

I would suggest you don't mention his CV unless you have a very good reason. Just try to listen well, articulate your answers eloquently and clearly, and try your best to pause for 3 seconds before you answer a question in case your interviewer isn't done speaking but is just pausing. This will make you seem more thoughtful.
 
That's a surefire way to rejection for OP.

From someone who truly has no idea what they're talking about. You have no real context or understanding who I am, so keep those comments to yourself.

I would suggest you don't mention his CV unless you have a very good reason. Just try to listen well, articulate your answers eloquently and clearly, and try your best to pause for 3 seconds before you answer a question in case your interviewer isn't done speaking but is just pausing. This will make you seem more thoughtful.

Will do, thanks for the advice.
 
I disappear for a couple weeks to go on vacation and a new banned alt resurfaces? Which one is this? ALoft hasn't floated back, has he?
It's mrh125 aka boltedbicorn, savithramma, veryborderlineapplicant. He's catching-up to his number of Reddit handles.
 
Last edited:
Top