Questions to ask at interviews part 1: Ask yourself first
Optica Ambassadors Alessandra Carmichael-Martins (Class of 2022), Linhui (Lynn) Yu (Class of 2021) and Richard Zeltner (Class of 2022)
Many students and young professionals hesitate to ask questions at their interviews as they believe interviews are one-way. However, asking your own questions is a powerful tool. It’s just as important for you to understand and feel comfortable with the position and work environment you are applying to work in as it is for the supervisor to get to know you as a candidate.
As you consider whether a job is right for you, first identify the aspects that are most important to you based on professional advancement, long-term goals, community, location and more. Make a list with your very specific values categorized and ranked by your priorities. This will help you prioritize your needs and select which questions to ask in an interview. Please consider that different cultures and institutions will have different standards.
Below, we have put together a list of questions to ask yourself before your interview to determine if a job is right for you.
Questions to ask yourself before accepting a PhD or Postdoc position:
- What do I want to achieve by taking this position?
- Do I know what the project is about, and do I understand what is expected from me to be successful?
- Would I enjoy working in this environment, and do I share similar ethics and goals as the rest of the group?
- Do I understand the funding situation for my position in terms of salary, purchase of equipment and travel opportunities?
- Am I aware of the challenges I may encounter to successfully write and defend a Ph.D. thesis?
- What type of support and guidance will my advisors be able to give, both in technical areas and for career advancement?
- What should I look for to successfully become an independent researcher/secure a tenure track position?
Similar to when considering a Ph.D. or postdoc position in academia you should make sure to be able to answer the following questions before accepting a position in Industry:
- Do I have a solid understanding of the responsibilities, tasks, and expectations of this position?
- Do I feel that my values, background and personality are a good match with the atmosphere of the group I will be working with?
- Do I fully understand and agree with the company’s culture, development plan, and core values?
- Are the benefits I am being offered for this job adequate for my personal and professional needs?
- Do I have an idea of where I want to be in industry in 3 to 5 years, and will the feedback culture and career opportunities available help get me there?
Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, you can begin planning what questions to ask your future supervisor in an interview. Stay tuned for "Questions to ask at interviews part 2: getting the right information!"
