Preliminary Phone Interview

[EekVonBlergh]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've noticed that many programs often do a preliminary phone interview before extending an invitation to the on-campus interview. Aside from elaborating on experiences and interests discussed in the SOP, CV, and application, what is likely to occur during this time? How much do we need to know about the POI and their lab going into the conversation? Obviously it would proooobably be beneficial to know about their research interests and lab activities, but should we be well-rehearsed on their previous publications? How much should we know about previous publications on our research interest more generally?

I appreciate any insight on this topic SDNers!

 

[elpenguinoloco]

+1

I'm curious to hear about this as well. I feel like the conventional wisdom I've seen in lurking around here is that in-person interviews are offered to applicants who are good enough on paper to be admitted, with the goal of faculty assessing how they'd like working with the applicant for 4-6 years. It seems like the role of the phone interview is less clearly established. Who are they looking to weed out here?

 

[Member1928]

Its possible that they are looking to weed out folks with very poor interview skills. The phone interview is also a time for the student to find out more information about the faculty member's research and learn about the selection interview/process and the program more broadly. I would guess that many faculty members have their top picks identified before the phone interview.

However, some faculty members may be limited in terms of how many applicants they can invite for the in-person interview, and they may need to make a decision between two or more highly desirable applicants. The phone interview can help the faculty member start to assess 'fit' with his/her lab and the program more broadly, which may then play into who is invited to the in-person interview.

My advice: 1) be polite; 2) be knowledgeable about the faculty member's research and the program more broadly; 3) be inquisitive; 4) be able to describe your research interests and talk about questions that you might want to answer with research; and 5) be yourself.

 

[EekVonBlergh]

Thanks Member1928! I appreciate your insight. Good luck to you elpenguinoloco!

 

[parametric]

Is it customary to send a thank-you email? I just had one of these...feel like I should but don't want to be overkill, either (said thank yous, enjoyed talking to you, etc. on the phone already, won't hear back til next Friday if invited to actual interview day.)

 

[nessa34]

Is it customary to send a thank-you email? I just had one of these...feel like I should but don't want to be overkill, either (said thank yous, enjoyed talking to you, etc. on the phone already, won't hear back til next Friday if invited to actual interview day.)

Always a good idea to follow up with a (brief) thank you at this point... fine to restate what you've said at the end of the conversation.

 

[miyuesanh]

well done,The phone interview can help the faculty member start to assess 'fit' with his/her lab and the program more broadly, which may then play into who is invited to the in-person interview.

 

[Durz]

Is it customary to send a thank-you email? I just had one of these...feel like I should but don't want to be overkill, either (said thank yous, enjoyed talking to you, etc. on the phone already, won't hear back til next Friday if invited to actual interview day.)

I sent thank you emails to everyone I had prelim phone/video calls. I just kept it short and sweet - thanking them for their time and further expressing my interest and enthusiasm. A lot of mine happened right before the holidays so I got to sneak in a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year for good measure ;-D