Two Minutes with Department Chair During Interview- What do I say?

[AmysApp]

I'm interviewing somewhere next week that apparently gives each of it's candidates a "suggested but optional" opportunity to mean with the department chair. This will be my first in person interview, so I'm a little nervous. What should I say? I don't want to waste her time with dumb questions (especially since I'll have just gone on a tour right beforehand) or my general "tell me about yourself" answer. Any input would be appreciated!

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[Elauz]

I'm interviewing somewhere next week that apparently gives each of it's candidates a "suggested but optional" opportunity to mean with the department chair. This will be my first in person interview, so I'm a little nervous. What should I say? I don't want to waste her time with dumb questions (especially since I'll have just gone on a tour right beforehand) or my general "tell me about yourself" answer. Any input would be appreciated!

First off, congratulations on your interview!! I too had my very first interview with the department chair (didn't know until I showed up that that's who my interviewer was), and it went really well because I had done a lot of research on the school and on several of the faculty members. I would suggest researching your school and the Dept Chair very well, so that you can ask questions about his/her specific research, what makes them most proud of their program, or even something like, "What habit or behavior has most improved your life since beginning your PT career path?" I think this sort of question can yield helpful and thought-provoking advice, and who better to ask than a wise and successful Dept Chair?

I hope this helps! Good luck to you!!

 

[AmysApp]

First off, congratulations on your interview!! I too had my very first interview with the department chair (didn't know until I showed up that that's who my interviewer was), and it went really well because I had done a lot of research on the school and on several of the faculty members. I would suggest researching your school and the Dept Chair very well, so that you can ask questions about his/her specific research, what makes them most proud of their program, or even something like, "What habit or behavior has most improved your life since beginning your PT career path?" I think this sort of question can yield helpful and thought-provoking advice, and who better to ask than a wise and successful Dept Chair?

I hope this helps! Good luck to you!!

Thank you so much for your advice. That was very helpful!

 

[DavJ]

The first interview is always the most nerve wracking, but you'll get through it. Just be yourself and g

I'm interviewing somewhere next week that apparently gives each of it's candidates a "suggested but optional" opportunity to mean with the department chair. This will be my first in person interview, so I'm a little nervous. What should I say? I don't want to waste her time with dumb questions (especially since I'll have just gone on a tour right beforehand) or my general "tell me about yourself" answer. Any input would be appreciated!

Congrats on the interview!

@Elauz's advice is sound, but some other questions you could ask the department chair are: "How has this program changed since its commencement or since your arrival to this program?"; What are some things that you wish you knew prior to entering this field or position?"; "What do students typically do well in this program?"

I asked a variation of these questions in my interviews and have found success in them because they demonstrated my interest in the program and the PT field as a whole.

Best wishes!

 

[AmysApp]

The first interview is always the most nerve wracking, but you'll get through it. Just be yourself and g


Congrats on the interview!

@Elauz's advice is sound, but some other questions you could ask the department chair are: "How has this program changed since its commencement or since your arrival to this program?"; What are some things that you wish you knew prior to entering this field or position?"; "What do students typically do well in this program?"

I asked a variation of these questions in my interviews and have found success in them because they demonstrated my interest in the program and the PT field as a whole.

Best wishes!

Great, thank you for sharing!