Remember, they are testing you with those type of questions. They are almost tongue in cheek. If you respond in a way they think is appropriate, then it doesn't really matter what your answer is. If you get defensive or evasive, it won't go well. You need to be honest and open, not just give a basic response "A PhD isn't for me". Obviously they will continue to ask questions if you answer like that.

I think you are probably correct ToL. I still dont believe the gap is an issue but they still need to ask about it and perhaps the manner in which those questions is being answered is causing them to re-evaluate. A stumbling response or even an unusual gap in answering would raise flags because if I was interviewing, I would expect that iwan would know those types of questions were coming up and would have fully prepared solid answers for them. Any weak answer would set off loud alarm bells.

If I was being interviewed, my answer would depend on my circumstances and the reason why I quit. Only iwan knows the answer to both of these so it's hard to help. I remember going to one interview for a manual job after failing to get a graduate level job many years ago. Predictably the interviewer asked me why I was going for such a job when i had a degree. He said "how do I know you wont leave tomorrow if a better offer comes in?". I told him that whilst I could not turn down a better offer, none had come in for more than 3 months and i needed to pay my rent. I then said that for however long i was employed there, he would get 100% effort and committment from me. I remember him telling me that this was the only answer he would have accepted to that question and he asked me to start on the following Monday. Sometimes being blunt and honest is the best way to play it. By the way, it took me another 14 months to get out of that job into a graduate level role so he got his money's worth :-D

Bad decision! When you think to study Phd you should have understood many obstacles would come across. I finished my PHD in jan 2018 after 6 years struggling different issues but never thought to quit ! If you feel your decision was wrong dont waste time any more try to renrol again.
I have PhD but still jobless, but proud bout my achievement regardless any thing else!

Hi, Kamali,

I don't think it is anyone's position to judge on another person's decision to terminate their PhD. The other person may have many valid reasons which we may be unaware of: toxic lab environment, harassment from lab mates, health issues, family issues, major financial issues, etc. Termination of PhD is normally a last resort when all other actions to solve the issues have failed. The confidence of the person who has recently terminated his/her PhD is usually quite fragile while still recovering from the shock, so please use gentler words on this forum.

I am glad that you finished your own PhD and good luck with your own job search.

tru, I dont see anything offensive or particularly aggressive in the opinion Kamali has offered here. We are all adults and we shouldnt be treading on eggshells on behalf of other adults who are pefectly capable of fighting their own battles. In my opinion, we should allow people to be free to say what they want unless they are making an unwarranted personal attack on another poster.

That is not to say I agree with Kamalis advice. I dont. Telling someone they have made a bad mistake after they have formally quit is less than helpful.

On a serious note, if someone is so mentally fragile that a response like Kamalis causes them issues, they should consider quitting online forums and seek help from a trained professional.