Interview Guidance

Preparing for your Interview

Before the Interview 

  • Prepare The Provided Questions: Use the assessment criteria to ensure your response remains focused and aligned with the question. For situational questions, you can use the STAR Technique to structure your answers. To make your answers more personal and relevant, always conclude with the 3 Rs: Result, Reflect, and Relate. 
  • Review Your Application: The information provided in your DiveIn statement may assist you when preparing the interview questions.  
  • Research the DiveIn CDT: Understand our Mission Priority Areas and values related to diversity as a path to excellence. Familiarise yourself with our Catalogue of Possibilities.  
  • Clarify Your Research Interests: Be prepared to explain why you are interested in a PhD, how it aligns with your academic background, and what contributions you hope to make. 

Watch this How to Prepare for an Interview Video with helpful tips to prepare for your interview.  

Interview Set Up 

  • All panel members will join the interview online.  
  • Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and test your equipment in advance to make sure that your laptop, microphone and camera are working. 
  • Check that you are able to connect to the zoom link. Here you can find information on Joining a Zoom meeting.  
  • Find a quiet, well-lit space where you won’t be interrupted. Ensure your background is neutral and professional. 
  • Keep your notes ready to hand if you need to refer to them during the discussion.  

Tips for Answering Questions 

The interview panel’s goal is to help you showcase your best qualities and give the strongest possible answers. Here are some tips to help you prepare and give your best performance in the interview: 

  • Be Concise but Detailed: Avoid overly long answers but provide enough depth to demonstrate your knowledge. Use the guidance times provided to prepare your answers.  
  • Stay Confident and Professional: It’s okay to take a moment to think before responding. 
  • Avoid Generic or Overly Balanced Responses: You can use AI to help you prepare your answers but bear in mind that AI often aims for neutrality and inclusivity, sometimes resulting in vague, non-committal statements that try to cover all bases without strong personal nuance. 
  • Use Specific Personal Experiences: AI-generated answers can also integrate general knowledge and logical reasoning but typically lack genuine personal anecdotes or reflections that a human would naturally include. Whenever possible, relate answers to your past academic, professional or research experiences. 
  • Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Research: Convey genuine enthusiasm for your research interests. 
  • Engage with the Panel: Treat the interview as an academic discussion rather than a one-sided interrogation. If you are looking to make eye contact, remember to look directly into the camera of your laptop/PC, instead of your screen.  
  • Remember: The interviewers will be taking notes of the interview – don’t be surprised or put off if they break eye contact with you and write notes, particularly those who are not questioning you. 

Please visit the University of Glasgow’s careers website for more useful tips on preparing for an interview. 

After the Interview  

You can expect to receive a decision from us regarding the outcome of your interview by Friday 11th April.  

Accessibility and Inclusion in Your Interview 

We are committed to making this interview process as inclusive and accessible as possible. Below are some accommodations that will be in place for all candidates, as well as ways you can request additional support.

Before the Interview 

  • Advance Access to Questions: You will receive the interview questions in advance, along with a suggested timing for each section. 
  • Presentation Guidance: You may use slides for your presentation, but we also welcome other formats. If you need support making your materials accessible or require additional time, let us know. 

During the Interview 

  • Live Captions: Automatic captions will be enabled via Zoom. 

  • Structured Format: The interview will follow a clear agenda, and we will read out all questions aloud. 

  • Extra Processing Time: There is no pressure for immediate responses. Feel free to take a moment to gather your thoughts. 

  • Referring to Notes: You are welcome to refer to your notes during the interview to support your responses. 

  • Flexible Communication: While we encourage spoken responses, you can use the chat function to ask for clarification or add extra points. 

  • Cameras & Visual Presentation: We ask that cameras remain on for the interview, but you may use a blurred background if preferred. If you need a short camera-off break, please let us know in advance. 

Presentations 

  • Accessible Formats: If you use slides, we encourage making them screen-reader friendly (e.g., structured headings, high contrast, and alt text for images). 
  • Alternative Approaches: If a slide deck is not accessible for you, you are welcome to deliver your presentation in another format, such as a spoken-only explanation. 
  • Additional Support: Let us know if you need any adjustments, such as more time for transitions between slides. 

 

Additional Adjustments 

If you need any further adjustments, such as: 

  • A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter 
  • A different format for materials (e.g., large print, plain text) 
  • More time for any part of the process 

Please contact divein-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk as soon as possible so we can make the necessary arrangements. 

We want this to be a fair and supportive experience, and we encourage you to share any needs you may have.  

 

Further enquiries 

Please contact us at divein-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk for any further enquiries.