Summer Program Phone Interview

[laxgirl06]

Hey everyone,
What's up? I was invited to two phone interviews so far, and was wondering if you have any advice for me to "stand out" during those interviews.

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[NickNaylor]

If you try to "stand out" not only will you likely not succeed but it may very well make you "stand out" in a bad way.

If this is a research program, be normal, clearly articulate what you hope to gain from the program (I'm guessing they will ask you this), be able to talk about any previous research experiences in detail (again, assuming they will ask you this), and hope for the best.

Don't do anything wonky to try and make yourself "stand out."

 

[eteshoe]

On a less serious note, you could just conduct the interview "standing up" - it'll definitely make you "stand out" compared to all those other interviewees sitting down.

 

[laxgirl06]

If you try to "stand out" not only will you likely not succeed but it may very well make you "stand out" in a bad way.

If this is a research program, be normal, clearly articulate what you hope to gain from the program (I'm guessing they will ask you this), be able to talk about any previous research experiences in detail (again, assuming they will ask you this), and hope for the best.

Don't do anything wonky to try and make yourself "stand out."

Thanks for your advice, Nick. I didn't necessarily mean "stand out", I meant make a good, memorable, impression. Thanks for the advice, though. I appreciate it.

 

[laxgirl06]

On a less serious note, you could just conduct the interview "standing up" - it'll definitely make you "stand out" compared to all those other interviewees sitting down.

Hahahahaha.................... 😀 Thanks, but no thanks. I want to be able to jot down notes if necessary. xD

 

[Beyonce2.0]

Congrats on the interview offers! As people have said before, just act naturally. Make sure you understand and are able to talk clearly about your research experience, and could answer any questions the interviewer may ask. Be able to talk about some of the things you do outside of the classroom, what your interests are, etc. Don't focus too much on trying to stand out in some new and spectacular way--it will likely end up seeming forced/not genuine, and thus hurt you more than it hurts you. Just do you, and come across as a mature, driven, articulate young adult, and you'll be fine. If it helps, I recently had a successful phone interview for a program I was later accepted into, and I didn't do anything to make myself *stand out*. Good luck! 🙂

Also, as a side note, it helps to have some notes beside you on things you want to mention while your talking. For example, for my interview, I had an brief outline of all my research experiences, and questions I wanted to ask the interviewer.

 

[laxgirl06]

Congrats on the interview offers! As people have said before, just act naturally. Make sure you understand and are able to talk clearly about your research experience, and could answer any questions the interviewer may ask. Be able to talk about some of the things you do outside of the classroom, what your interests are, etc. Don't focus too much on trying to stand out in some new and spectacular way--it will likely end up seeming forced/not genuine, and thus hurt you more than it hurts you. Just do you, and come across as a mature, driven, articulate young adult, and you'll be fine. If it helps, I recently had a successful phone interview for a program I was later accepted into, and I didn't do anything to make myself *stand out*. Good luck! 🙂

Also, as a side note, it helps to have some notes beside you on things you want to mention while your talking. For example, for my interview, I had an brief outline of all my research experiences, and questions I wanted to ask the interviewer.

Hi Beyonce 😀 Thank you! Congrats on your acceptance! What would be some examples of questions I want to ask the interviewer? Do you remember any specific questions they asked you? 😀

 

[Beyonce2.0]

Hi Beyonce 😀 Thank you! Congrats on your acceptance! What would be some examples of questions I want to ask the interviewer? Do you remember any specific questions they asked you? 😀

I asked my interviewer questions like "What have past students gotten out of the program?" and "What have students who have participated in the program gone on to do?". My interviewer asked me pretty basic questions, like describe your research, why do you think you are a good fit for this program, what are your research interests, etc. If you are being interviewed by the person whose lab you would be joining , I would also be ready to ask more about the lab's research, to show that you are already invested, interested in, and thinking critically about their research.

Also, while my advice assumes that this is a research program, I think it would still be generally applicable for other summer science programs. Good luck, I'm sure you'll kill it! 😀

 

[laxgirl06]

I asked my interviewer questions like "What have past students gotten out of the program?" and "What have students who have participated in the program gone on to do?". My interviewer asked me pretty basic questions, like describe your research, why do you think you are a good fit for this program, what are your research interests, etc. If you are being interviewed by the person whose lab you would be joining , I would also be ready to ask more about the lab's research, to show that you are already invested, interested in, and thinking critically about their research.

Also, while my advice assumes that this is a research program, I think it would still be generally applicable for other summer science programs. Good luck, I'm sure you'll kill it! 😀

Hey, thank you so much for all of your advice. Yes. It is a research program! Good luck in all of your endeavors!