Interviewing

The interview is an opportunity to affirm your skills and experience, tell your story, and determine whether the position is a good fit for you. Our resources can help you understand what your interviewers are looking for so you can prepare and present effectively.

 

The Anatomy of an Interview

Whether you are preparing for a screening or final round interview (or something in the middle), our Anatomy of an Interview page will help you learn about common interview topics and strategies for how to approach them.

Learn specifically about interviews for postdoc, faculty, and industry scientist positions

Preparing for Interview Questions

Questions are a part of any interview, no matter what stage you are at. We have resources to help you prepare.

Preparing for Presentations and Job Talks

Have you been asked to give a job talk as part of your interview? Check out the videos below to learn more about job talks and strategies for giving a good presentation.

Make the Interview Work for You

Interviewing is also one of your best opportunities to learn about a potential workplace, and assess whether it meets your needs. View our handout on using the interview to tell if the opportunity is toxic or a bad fit.

Following Up

Expand the items below to see strategies and example language for following up after you've had an interview.

Sending a thank you note within 1-2 days after the interview

We recommend sending a thank you email 1-2 days after the interview. This is an opportunity to express that you are still (or more) interested in the position after learning more about it, and to demonstrate your written communication skills.

Keep the message timely and brief with these 3 things:

  1. Clearly state the job you are talking about
  2. State something they said in the interview about the position/team/organization that you appreciate or are excited about 
  3. Express gratitude for their time and your continued interest in the role

Examples

  • "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about [position] at [organization]. I was excited to hear about the collaboration opportunities I would get to have with other research teams through the role. If you have any further questions about my application, please don't hesitate to reach out to me."
  • "Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about [position] at [organization]. I appreciated what you said about introduction meetings with key stakeholders being a top onboarding priority in the first 3 months of the role, and am excited about the prospect of joining your team. Thank you again for speaking and with me and I look forward to hearing from you.
Checking on your application status if you haven't heard back

We generally recommend waiting one week after the interview to follow up on your application. If, in the interview, the hiring manager said when they would get back to you, wait until after that date has passed before you follow up. 

Keep your message clear and brief with these 5 things:

  1. Clearly state in the email subject line the position title, job # (if applicable), and your name
  2. State that you're following up on your application
  3. Reiterate your interest in the position
  4. Ask if they need additional information from you

Example

Subject: Medical Writer (Job #01A2B3C) - Shirley Ly, Job Application Follow-Up

Body:

Dear Ray,

I hope this finds you well! I am following up on my application for the Scientific Writer position (Job #01A2B3C) at Bay Area University Hospital. After our conversation last week, I'm excited for next steps and am confident my experiences with science communication and journalism are a great match for the role.

If you have any further questions about my application, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Shirley

Looking for more resources?

Do you have an interview coming up? Make a 1:1 appointment to discuss your strategy with one of our career consultants! If you need to meet with us sooner than our next available appointment, please email [email protected] and let us know about your deadline.