Preparing for an Interview or Dissertation Committee

Interviews become an increasingly important aspect of student life as you progress through the years of study. Interviewing skills are not just important for jobs but for scholarship and course entry applications as well as research funds, proposals and thesis defence. Some stuff is basic and you will already know that you should dress clean and tidy and be on time, for example. Some other skills for interview preparation include reviewing your information and practicing likely questions.

Reviewing your information a few hours before the interview will place in the forefront of your mind the most relevant details you are presenting. While it is important throughout the interview to maintain eye contact, appear mature, polite and so forth, it pays to remember that the most significant purpose of your interview is to sell yourself, yours skills and/or your ideas. Therefore read, re-read and then refresh your knowledge of your CV, scholarship application, thesis proposal or dissertation.

The questions you will be asked will depend on what the interview is for but in every instance you can be sure that those interviewing you will be interested in your goals, your anticipated outcomes, your personality and your work ethic. Practice answering questions that will help the interviewer(s) get to know these things about you and even set up some opportunities for yourself to offer this information if it isn’t requested. 

When you are presenting your work to a dissertation committee you will need to defend your arguments if asked and know your data inside and out. Preparation for this type of interview should include practicing questions that may be asked about your work and your findings. To prepare for this go through your entire thesis jotting down questions that might crop up and then be sure you are able to answer these confidently and comprehensively with facts to back up assertions. Good luck!