I was just wondering what people's interview experiences were like. I had 4 interviews, and most of them went ok. Some places we're really friendly and welcoming, but at other places people just seemed to be up themselves which is why I won't be going there. Has any one had a traumatic experience?

Yeah I know what you mean! There is such a difference between a warm and friendly dept which makes you feel at ease and one which is at the opposite end! My mine started when none of us being interviewed realised there were 5 people on the panel which we all thought was excessive!!! The first person came out and said she it was a horrible experience as they just grilled you especially the female interviewer who wouldn't let things drop when you said you didn't know the answer!

I certainly got a good grilling to an inch of my life as they asked lots of questions and I didn't even get time to think! The worse part was when they picked on a specific point in my dissertation and tore it to shreds! I only mentioned it as a passing comment when they asked me to summarise my project! They kept going on and on about it until it was very obvious I didn't have a clue what I was talking about and admitted it!

So that's how not to do an interview or how to look like an idiot in one easy step!!! I hope it hasn't put you off but I think it was only that place which is quite up itself! I've been to an interview with 4 people elsewhere who were really nice and not aggressive and made you feel very relaxed, almost too relaxed that you can forget (if that is possible) that you're at an interview!!

Good luck and hope you survive the interviews! I always try to console myself by saying if only they knew what I was really like as interviews are so unnatural! It's all about who performs best on the day! So what have your experiences been like?

My 40 minute interview went really well apart from my obvious nervousness. Questions were the usual 'why do you want to do this particular PhD?', 'tell us about a time when you achieved something really special', 'what aspects of your degree do you enjoy most and why?' I spent 15 minutes talking about my 3rd year project. A post-doc student then showed me around the department and I spoke to some PhD students, which I presume may be reporting back to the panel! I am confident I will receive an offer soon! Good luck.

Andy
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My worst experience was when they put me in a room with two Professors who weren't even in a related field. I tried talking about my project and they clearly didn't understand the terminology and tried to change the topic to nonsense (non-science, get it?). They decided to ask questions like "name some of the most intelligent people in history who you admire". They then turned around and said "define intelligence"!!! WHATEVER. Instead of asking why I want to do a PhD, they asked "what is a PhD?"!!!! Horrible horrible interview. It was my first one too.

My worst experience was when they asked really detailed genetics questions - I knew the answer, but when you are so nervous it is difficult to get the words out. You will improve in interview technique as you have more practice of it. I got there in the end after 4 interviews. Good luck!!

I did get offered two of the positions in the end, and luckily one of them was the place where I really wanted to go. I just think a lot of people need to brush up on their interviewing techniques. I was just a bit annoyed that at some of the interviews they didn't even bother asking about my research experience and why I wanted to do a PhD.