Interviewing Isn’t Everything, It’s the Only Thing

It’s the only thing that’s left It’s a potent factor

1. Overview point performance check 3. Graduate school interview 4. Key considerations 5. Summary

Overview It’s a Whole New Ball Game Purpose of the interview- to be personable! make up lots of ground, covers lots of “sins”

Overview Relax: And Here’s Why 2. Most programs interview 2-3 times as many applicants as they have positions for -Interviews consume real resources -Not too many, and not too few 3. Chances are that they will offer to the majority of those that they interview

Example Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Example: Five available positions: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 Yield Rate= Ratio of Acceptances to Offers

Overview Know the Program’s Yield Rate General indication of program quality Critical information if wait-listed

Overview Types of Interviews Individual on-site Telephone Telephone conference call Group interview or “Open House”

Overview Group Interview or Open House One-day visit Group orientation meeting Series of individual interviews (~30 min each) Lunch Reception or Final Session

Overview Interview Questions and Answers Interview is a 2-way street You are invested in getting an offer and the program is invested in having you accept an offer So be sure to collect information over the course of your interview to inform your decision making Take notes after every interview or interaction

Questions You May be Asked: General why do you want to be a psychologist? why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.? what attracts you to our program? what do you see yourself doing after graduation?

Questions You May Be Asked: Clinical describe any clinical experience you may have had, and what you liked about it what kinds of people or issues are particularly difficult for you to work with? describe any supervisory or employer-employee relationship that you have had and what you have liked and disliked about it what features or characteristics about yourself do you think would enable you to become an effective clinician?

Questions You May be Asked: Research what research interests do you have? who on our faculty could you see yourself working with? describe a successful research project you have completed so far what is the most challenging or frustrating thing about research to you? describe your research skills- methods, statistics, computer skills

Questions You Can Ask Faculty How is the curriculum structured? What would you view as the programs’ greatest strengths? What kind of elective courses are available and what do students usually take? Are undergraduates available to serve as research assistants? How are advisor or supervisor appointments made? What do students do after graduation? Would I have opportunities to teach? What opportunities would I have for doing research?

Questions You Can Ask Students Do faculty and students have good relationships ? Are faculty available? What is the quality of teaching? What opportunities are available to teach and do research? Is the environment competitive/supportive? Do students participate in policy decisions or governance? What is the broader community like? What kinds of things do students do in their free time? What kind of careers do students pursue after graduation?

Three Tips for Interviews 1. Your questions send signals. You will be evaluated in relation to the questions that you ask as well as the answers you give 2. Phrase questions in positive or neutral, rather than negative or critical ways e.g., "Can you tell me a bit about the theoretical orientations of your faculty”, rather than, “You are mostly cognitive/behavioral/systemic aren’t you?” 3. Use the name of the program -e.g. “at the University of Florida”

10-Point Performance Check

1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance

1. Dressed for Success 1. Most conspicuous but least significant 2. Dress for success, not to impress (avoid extremes) 3. “Nice casual” or “casual business attire -women: dress, business suit or pants suit -men: dress pants and shirt (and tie or jacket) 4. “Comfort is king”

2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself About your interests, pastimes, future directions, and goals About your strengths and weaknesses About your professional or research interests Litmus test: -“ Tell me a little bit about yourself….” -“Give me three words that you might use to describe yourself…”

3. Communication Skills 1. Listen and respond 2. Reciprocity- don’t talk too much or too little 3. Feel free to ask questions 4. Try to approximate a conversation, rather than a formal interview

4. Interested 1. Don’t assume they know you are interested 2. “I could easily imagine myself being here” 3. “I would love to get an offer to join the program” 4. “I’m really excited about the possibility of doing my graduate work here”

5. Informed 1. Knowledgeable about program 2. Knowledgeable about faculty 3. Knowledgeable about the broader community 4. university or sports programs is not essential

6. Inquisitive 1. “If you don’t have any questions, you may have a problem” 2. Develop a set of questions to ask

7. Interactive with Others 1. Relationships are critical components of graduate training programs 2. Other interviewees are your peers, not your competitors 3. Be polite, engaged, and interactive with them 4. Nothing is ever “off stage”

8. Likeable 1. The more your interviewers enjoy themselves, the more favorably they will evaluate you 2. Humble, respectful, positive, sincere, excited, enthusiastic, etc. 3. Avoid being bored, bellicose, boastful or bizarre

9. Goodness of Fit 1. Determine how and where you feel that you “fit in” best 2. Faculty 3. Students 4. Overall program

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance

10. Overall Performance Evaluation Poor Excellent

10. Overall Performance Evaluation Poor Excellent 1 to 4 = gradations of “Poor”

10. Overall Performance Evaluation Poor Excellent 5 to 6 = OK 5

10. Overall Performance Evaluation Poor Excellent 7 to 8 = Good to Very Good 88

10. Overall Performance Evaluation Poor Excellent 9-10 = Excellent

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

Graduate School Interview

Graduate School Interview: Evaluating the Interview

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10)

10-Point Performance Check 1. Dress for Success 2. Comfortable Talking About Yourself 3. Communication is Key 4. Interested 5. Informed 6. Inquisitive 7. Interactive with Others 8. Likeable 9. Goodness-of-Fit 10. Overall Performance (1-10) 7-8

Key Considerations Be yourself Say what you mean and mean what you say Write a thank you note (or ) -no new information -no response demand -e.g. “I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks for the opportunity to interview with you. I appreciate all of your efforts and I am even more excited about the prospects of potentially joining your program as a result of my visit. Thanks again, and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.” Allow your Ranks to float (up or down) Thanks!

Summary Interviewing is the most exciting part of the graduate admissions process- enjoy it! Make sure you collect enough information to make informed and effective decisions; if you are admitted into one program, the chances are very high that you will be admitted into 2 or more programs You should plan on releasing lower-ranked programs as you gain admission into higher-ranked programs Good Luck!