157
votes
Accepted
Cheated on an exam when I was eight years old. Should I tell graduate admissions?
As noted in the comments, actions committed long ago as a child are (and should be) entirely irrelevant to graduate admissions.
It is well understood that children do not have same ability as adults ...
- 187k
117
votes
Accepted
Bombed an academic interview, should I do anything about it?
First of all, you should cool down before you take any action. Clearly, the interview was an emotionally intense event for you, so don't do anything in the spur of the moment (and "a few days later" ...
- 135k
111
votes
Accepted
A potential PhD supervisor wants me to visit campus for an interview before I know if I'm accepted
The solution here is honesty and candor. You should explain that you would like to visit the campus, but that your financial situation doesn't allow it at the moment. Any reasonable person would ...
- 3,635
101
votes
Should I ask my online PhD interview panel whether my partner can sit in?
I would find this odd and unprofessional. I recommend against this.
Also, I want to be able to talk freely and openly with you in an interview, and have you respond in kind, and I would be worried ...
- 109k
93
votes
Accepted
How to handle an interview out of my league
Be happy for the opportunity to meet with the PI who's invited you for an interview, and go to the interview with an open mind and attitude. Answer questions you receive honestly and without artifice. ...
- 173k
92
votes
Accepted
My interview went well but at the end the interviewer said "All the best for your future endeavours". What does it mean?
It doesn't mean anything, it's just a pleasant remark.
When you are accepted or rejected for the job, you will be notified formally, not by vague remarks at the end of an interview. In the meantime, ...
- 132k
88
votes
Accepted
Phd interview travel paid by interviewer - Is it bad form to ask to stay for the weekend?
If you make it completely clear at the time of asking that you would cover all additional expenses, then staying for a day or two extra would be regarded as perfectly normal and reasonable. (Academics ...
- 1,071
84
votes
Accepted
Why is a job interview needed if I am the only suitable candidate for a research-assistant position?
There are a few possibilities.
It may be that an interview is required by the policy of the institution.
It is also likely that they want to get an idea of how you would fit in personally. If they ...
- 345k
82
votes
I have a postdoc interview tomorrow and I think I have overstated my abilities in my CV. How do I address it during the interview?
It doesn't sound like you overstated anything. You mentioned relevant experience in a topic that you are currently working on as part of your thesis. You never claimed to be an expert, nor did you ...
- 1,111
82
votes
Got accepted to top-choice PhD program. Drop other interviews?
One caveat is the line "was just informed". Do you currently have a physical copy of a contract in your hand, signed by someone from that university?
Until you do, you don't have it.
So ...
- 6,772
78
votes
Called for a final interview with the university president after a notice of someone else getting hired for the position. Why?
Another possibility than those mentioned by Anton Menshov is that there is another position that might be open. In such a case it might be quite different from the one you applied for, especially if ...
- 345k
77
votes
Accepted
Did I make a mistake in being too honest in the PhD interview?
I want to make two points here, both are indirect answers to your question, but still open to interpretation with regard to your specific interview.
Interviews are less like taking an exam, and more ...
- 3,885
75
votes
How do I reassure myself that I am a worthy candidate for a tenure-track position, when department would likely have interviewed me even if I wasn't?
There are two things worth keeping in mind. First, while it might be the case that the committee is "forced" to interview a female candidate, it might not. You have no actual evidence in either case, ...
- 10.3k
75
votes
A PI gave me 2 days to accept his offer after I mentioned I still have another interview. Is this normal?
In negotiation theory, such a tactic is known as an exploding offer, and its adverse effects are well-known: rushing people into hasty decisions and giving them the feeling that they're disposable can ...
- 25.5k
72
votes
Accepted
Declining PhD Interview
Dear XYZ,
thank you for considering me for this position. Unfortunately, for personal reasons I am no longer considering this option. Hence, I have to decline this invitation.
With best regards, ...
- 135k
70
votes
Accepted
Include a mistake that cost extra when asking for reimbursement after faculty interview?
Assuming they liked your presentation, and consider putting you on the shortlist, but are not sure at which position compared to some other candidate; now, reflect, which impression this makes.
You ...
- 46.6k
69
votes
How to answer 'Is your research going to be in biology text books one day?' question during faculty interview?
The question is clearly not please accurately predict whether your research will be mentioned in standard graduate texts for biology students in the year 2050.
Rather, the question is presumably I am ...
- 9,078
67
votes
How to decline a postdoc interview if there is some possible future collaboration?
Don't go -- it's a waste of everyone's time if you go to an interview without any intention of taking the job. People get (rightfully) more upset about you wasting their time than you not wanting a ...
- 91.1k
65
votes
Accepted
Would a high Stack Exchange rep make a difference in a job interview?
I have seen Math.SE and MathOverflow activities mentioned by both grad students and faculty in connection with various applications and promotion-related materials. I don't see this as anything to ...
- 185k
65
votes
Accepted
Is it bad not to answer the "Tell me how you behaved in a situation of conflict with your previous supervisor" question in a PhD interview?
I think it would be worse to make up a story. I'm not particularly a fan of this sort of "trap" interview question (alongside other common ones like "what's your biggest weakness?")...
- 105k
65
votes
Accepted
Should I ask why they are interested in me in an interview for a faculty position?
I think a more traditional way to phrase it would be for you to ask what they are looking for in a candidate for the position or what they expect this position to add to their department. I'd expect ...
- 105k
63
votes
Is it rude to take all the time allowed to make an offer decision?
Not at all. You should go to the interview, see the competing offer, if you get it, and then decide. Note that you will likely not have time to have either school make a counter offer. Therefore, I ...
- 104k
63
votes
For interview questions about innovative or engaging teaching, is it OK to say I give lectures in the standard way?
When someone asks in an interview, no-matter what the topic, which cutting edge approaches interest you, they are subtly asking three entirely different questions (in order of severity):
Are you even ...
- 3,885
62
votes
Accepted
If the interviewer says "We have other interviews to conduct and then back to you in few days", is it a bad sign to not get the job?
It's not a bad sign at all. If they have more interviews arranged, they wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't interview them. They don't just hire the first person suitable for the job. They hire ...
- 1,207
62
votes
Accepted
How to politely turn down an on-site faculty interview offer
Dear [name of person you were communicating with],
I have an update about my job search. Since we last talked I‘ve received a tenure track job offer from another institution, and have accepted it. ...
- 185k
58
votes
Are political/ideological reasons for career moves acceptable in academia?
A political or ideological answer, albeit honest, is usually a missed opportunity to make a point about the move being a good academic fit.
Your goal as the candidate in this kind of exchange is not ...
- 109k
55
votes
Accepted
Comp Sci PhD Admissions: How often are Skype interviews requested?
Time is one of the most valuable resources for professors – I know no one who just offers interviews for fun.
- 13.1k
55
votes
Got accepted to top-choice PhD program. Drop other interviews?
If you know that you don't want to go to a specific school because you have a better offer already, then withdraw from the interview: You're wasting your time with it, and more importantly you're ...
- 91.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible