Writing and Communication Center

During the Interview

This section offers strategies to help you navigate the interview process with confidence and professionalism. It emphasizes the importance of managing expectations, understanding the performative aspects of interviewing, and effectively communicating both your technical skills and interpersonal qualities.

Jump to:

• Prepare for What is to Come and Manage Your Expectations
• Prepare Yourself for the Performative Aspect of Interviewing
• Consider Self Care
• Avoid Common Pitfalls 
• Prepare for the Big Day

Prepare for What is to Come and Manage Your Expectations

Interviewers will likely ask a variety of questions to help them learn about you. More straightforward questions will help them see if you have the technical skills to carry out the responsibilities of the role. More nuanced questions may help them learn more about your interpersonal qualities and what it would be like to work with you in a team environment (University of California San Francisco). Both the content and delivery of your answers will communicate who you are as a candidate, and can impact whether or not you are extended an offer.

Typically, there are multiple rounds of interviews during the search for a new hire. As you move further along the process, the pool of candidates will reduce in size. Here is one example of what this could look like:

1. First Interview: Phone screening with HR representative.
2. Second Interview: Hiring Manager
3. Additional Interview(s): Panel of members from hiring team and partnering offices, one-on-one with leadership

Prepare Yourself for the Performative Aspect of Interviewing

It is natural to be nervous during the interview process. The key is to convert nervous energy into positive momentum rather than distracting or disabling stress. Deep, slow breathing is a very simple tip to help relax.

The way you carry and conduct yourself will make an impression on the interviewer. Consider ways to show attentiveness and enthusiasm (e.g. through eye contact; for Zoom, gazing near/toward the camera), and approach the conversation with confidence and humility. Additionally, think about your attire for the interview. When it comes to business attire for the field of science, dressing formally and professionally is the general expectation for interviews that take place both in person and virtually.

There should be thoughtful consideration around different cultural expectations and backgrounds and how those can affect non-verbal styles of engagement and communication1. Although the medical world can still be traditional and formal for the most part, it is important to be yourself and to feel comfortable about how you choose to present who you are.

Remote Interviews: Are You Camera-Ready?

Remote interviews are becoming more common—some job searches rely solely on virtual platforms to meet candidates before making a hiring decision and extending an offer.

The dos and don’ts for virtual meetings continue to evolve. There is a range of guidelines that may look different for each person, institution, and context. If you want to feel even more prepared and maximize the quality of your setup and presentation during a remote interview, review the handout in the Toolkit below. For additional tips, explore this 7 Step Checklist for Interviewing by Video from the Office for Career and Professional Development at the University of California, San Francisco.

Consider Self Care

Interviewing can be an informative and exciting learning experience, but also an exhausting and stressful time. Embrace elements of the process that you can control such as setting yourself up well by investing time and effort on advanced preparation and practice, and acknowledge that there are many elements you cannot control. Find ways that help you navigate the emotional, mental, and physical dimensions of interviewing.

As you move through the different stages of the process, remember to:

• be kind to yourself.
• avoid excess self-criticism.
• exercise self-care.

Excess self-criticism  is natural and very common. Our lens is often distorted and there is a human tendency to remember the tiny thing that went wrong, not the huge thing that went right. Keep this in mind as you practice self-care and navigate the interview process.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

What are some common pitfalls to steer clear of during an interview?

An unsuccessful candidate might:

• Appear unprepared, as if they did not invest time or practice for the interview.
• Dress too casually.
• Look unenthusiastic and unengaged, or talk too much with long-winded responses.
• Criticize their current employer or colleagues, and report a lot of negative experiences.
• Display dishonesty and take credit for things that were done by others.
• Try to negotiate (e.g., salary, research space, funding) too early in the process and with the wrong point of contact.
• Let their nerves get the best of them.

Prepare for the Big Day

Next Step

Click on the box below to learn more about what to do after the interview.