Interview Calls

[serotonin]

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Do they call you out of the blue and expect you conduct the interview right then and there? Or do they call to schedule to speak with you?

Should I not answer my phone for the next couple of months if it's from a number I don't recognize and wait for the voicemail so I can prepare to speak with them?

 

[Sorg1123]

Do they call you out of the blue and expect you conduct the interview right then and there? Or do they call to schedule to speak with you?

Should I not answer my phone for the next couple of months if it's from a number I don't recognize and wait for the voicemail so I can prepare to speak with them?

Absolutely.

Lately, when my phone rings and I don't recognize the number, I go into a brief panic, swerve (if driving) and escape to a happy place where anxieties about my future are not present. If I do answer I put on a fake Canadian accent and pretend I'm the applicant's distant cousin, in town to try some exported Molsen. Some people might say that this approach is "unprofessional", "juvinile" or "dangerous". They might even say that I should be prepared to interview by phone at all times, or, at the very least, have some sort of excuse prepared to make the conversation as brief as possible and schedule a more comfortable time. Hogwash. Panicing is a part of life and if they don't expect me to panic in response to stressors, then I'm not sure what I have to offer.

Just my two cents.

 

[joetro]

They usually just offer an invitation for the interview (communicated by e-mail or phone, usually) or send an e-mail/call to see if you could set up a time to talk on the phone. Then, if that goes well, they'll ask you to the interview.

 

[Sorg1123]

They usually just offer an invitation for the interview (communicated by e-mail or phone, usually) or send an e-mail/call to see if you could set up a time to talk on the phone. Then, if that goes well, they'll ask you to the interview.

So, far I've had one offer via email and one by phone. In the phone offer the professor called me directly, asked me some questions about my interests, where I work, if I have a research or clinical preference and what attracted me to his lab. Then, he extended the interview offer. So, that's why I think it's best to be prepared, but I hardly think they'll deduct points for calling you at a bad time, say while driving or getting a manicure.

 

[serotonin]

haha, I think I understand.

I guess I'll prepare an info cheat-sheet I can keep on my to refer to... 13 schools with several names each is quite a bit right now to keep in my head.

 

[Barca16]

is it more common for the professor to call you and ask a few questions before inviting you to interview... or just to receive an e-mail inviting you to one a few weeks before the interview date? aka... should i be worried if professors aren't e-mailing me to "chat"?

 

[clearcolor]

I had two prof call and chat before deciding whether or not to interview me. However, neither of them surprise-called me and chatted right then and there about my interests (that is scary, I would always say I'm busy and need to call back if someone tried to do that to me).

Every other school/prof invited me for interview via email with no phone communication whatsoever.....this was often an email sent to the entire group of invited applicants. So I would say "most" do not call, but cleary this may be dependent on ind. prof/schools.