Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

5 Questions PhDs Should Expect During A Job Interview (& How To Answer Them)

The first time I had an interview it was a disaster. I answered all the questions wrong.

I had never interviewed before, but for some reason I thought I was going to do great. 

Right from the beginning it was bad. The first question they asked me: “How are you?” For which I gave my generic automatic answer Fine how are you. My interviewer also said fine and asked if I could tell him a little bit about myself. So, I proceeded to tell him that I was a PhD student. 

I kept my answer rather succinct because I’d read how long-winded answers are a fast track to not getting hired. I learned that the opposite is also true. The 45 minute interview was over in 20 minutes and by the end I knew very little about who was interviewing me or whether or not the company was a good fit. To be honest, the interviewer probably didn’t know much about me either. 

Communication is not about being short and succinct or long winded and drawn out; it’s about giving enough information to get your point across and engage with others. There was no connection between the interviewer and I. 

Over the next few weeks, I practiced some of the most asked interview questions.

By the next interview I felt a lot more confident. My answers were informative enough but to the point. I deflected the salary questions, inserted my own personality and bonded with the interviewer over our shared hobby, horseback riding. Who knew that would be my ticket in?

I got a call back the following week for the second interview with the team, where we all shared a love for hiking. It felt less like an interview and more like meeting new friends. 

The job offer was in my inbox a week later. 

Interviewing In A Recession

You’ve sent out the resumes, maybe even passed the phone screen, now it’s onto the interview. This can be the most stressful part of the job hiring process. Remember, you were picked amongst the hundreds of applications as a qualified candidate for this position. The job offer may be close, but there is still one last barrier; the interview. 

How you answer these questions could mean the difference between getting your dream job offer and falling back into unemployment. As the pandemic moves forward, the global economy plunges deeper into the recession, increasing job competition and making interviews a little harder to get through.  

However, preparing adequately and staying ahead of interview trends can put you ahead of the competition and help you secure that job without interview anxiety.  49% of hiring managers report that conversational skills heavily influence their decisions on candidates. So, it’s important to think of the interview like a conversation and showcase your ability to communicate effectively.

5 questions PhDs Are Likely To Get During An Industry Interview

1. How are you today? Can you tell me a little about yourself?

These are the first two questions you will have to answer during the interview. In fact our polls show that 90% of PhDs reported being asked these questions. So how should you answer them? 

First of all, you want to keep your answers positive. The recruiter or interviewer doesn’t want the first thing they hear from you to be about your problems. This sets a very negative tone for the rest of the interview. Instead, when asked how you are, simply say “perfect”. It is short, succinct, and conveys optimism and certainty, which is what they are looking for right now. 

“Can you tell me a little bit about yourself” is always the second question. Most hiring managers have not poured the hours into your resume that you have. They are likely scanning your resume as you are introducing yourself. So, the best way to answer this question is with your elevator pitch. Don’t think they should already know because they have your resume or that you shouldn’t repeat things that are there. Instead, tell them who you are, what you want, and why they should care.

Who you are goes beyond your technical skills and previous position. You can also add personal details. In fact, the person who is interviewing you may not have any technical skills, so adding that you like to go dancing or knitting will humanize you, show you have personality, and make you approachable. 

What you want is always the job you are applying for, but make sure your why is not “because I need a job” or “because I need to pay my rent.” You want to show them that you have passion for this role beyond a paycheck. Maybe it’s because you want to work with a product that helps people with a certain disease or a company that is passionate about educating people on XYZ. 

Studies show that an interviewer only needs 90 seconds to decide if they will recommend you to the hiring committee or not. This is true even if the interview lasts 45 minutes. In that time, you can only answer these two short questions. So, make sure you have confident and positive answers that embody your unique personality and the qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for this role. 

2. Why should we not hire you?

This can be a tough question to answer. They are asking you to give them a reason to move onto someone else. Don’t give them an answer. This is the new “what is your greatest weakness” question. 

Don’t let them trick you into saying something bad or negative about yourself. Instead, take the higher ground. Tell them that the only reason you can think that they shouldn’t hire you is if they can’t live up to their brand/mission/purpose of the company. State some specific facts that you like about the company. This will show them that you know what they stand for and that you believe you fit within this mission.

3. How do you like to work?

This is an important one as the trend of a decentralized workforce continues. More and more companies are switching to a hybrid or fully remote model. For these changes to work, companies need to know their employees can work autonomously. Furthermore, they need to know that employees can be productive with no or little oversight. 

They are looking for not only how you like to work and whether that fits into the company culture but also how you prioritize your work and keep track of projects. Highlight some tactics you’ve used to make sure things don’t get lost or are done at the last minute. Maybe this is creating a daily to do list every morning over a cup of coffee, or an afternoon power walk to refocus your day.

Also include how you communicate with others. Are you someone who will jump on a call with anyone at any time or do you like a little bit of warning. How do you inform your current boss/PI of your progress and how do you track that progress over time? These are the project management skills you’ve gained throughout your PhD career, but you need to show how these skills translate to an industry setting and the company’s goals. 

4. Questions on salary.

This is a common screening question and one that many PhDs get blind-sided by. Know that this question is coming and learn how to deflect it. You never want to answer this question with a number. If you aim too high this could automatically disqualify you as a candidate. If you aim too low, you will look like you are desperate to get a job and you don’t know your value. 

There are two great ways to deflect this question. The first is to simply say “I will consider any reasonable offer.” This puts the questions back on their side. In addition, adding the “reasonable” implies you know what you are worth and you are not going to take a low salary. It shows you have an idea of what the salary expectations are. 

The other way to deflect the salary question is to say that you are not concerned about salary right now. State that you are more interested in getting a better picture of the role and the team to assess your fit within the company. This will make you more attractive as a job candidate. You are turning the tables on them. You are showing that you are not concerned with money but rather with ensuring that your skills will allow the company to be productive. 

5. Questions on why you want to leave academia.

This question may have several answers. Maybe you are upset by the lack of funding for academia. Maybe you are sick of the poor support of the verbal beratement by your PI. These are all reasons why you may want to leave academia but are not the best ones to share with your potential future employer. 

Instead, think of these questions more as why do you want to transition into industry? When we think of why we are moving towards our future instead of why we are leaving our past, it’s easier to frame things positively. 

This is a great question to showcase some of your business acumen. Show them you have an understanding of industry and highlight the elements you are looking forward to. Maybe you are really excited about the prospect of working with people or being involved in the drug development process. Academia typically does not have these applications but industry does. So, frame your answer around the positive elements of industry, instead of the negative aspects of academia. 

In Conclusion

Practicing how to answer common interview questions can help you sound more confident and be able to ‘think on your feet’ during the actual interview.  These are just 5 of the most asked interview questions for PhD-level positions, but they all have some underlying themes. During the interview, you need to stay optimistic and passionate about the role and show how your past prepared you for this particular job. Never give them an excuse not to hire you and always show you know what the company aims to do and how you fit into their culture and team.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT ELIZABETH DEYETT

Elizabeth holds a PhD in genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. Now she combines her passion for science and writing as a consultant and freelance medical writer.

Elizabeth Deyett

Similar Articles

AI Is Replacing Recruiters. Here’s How PhD Job Seekers Should Adapt

AI Is Replacing Recruiters. Here’s How PhD Job Seekers Should Adapt

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I had a recruiter reach out to me, Isaiah, and after I gave them my resume and answered their questions, they never got back to me. What should I do?”  I hear this a lot.  I also hear, “Isaiah, I was on the phone with a recruiter and as soon as they heard that I needed a visa, they hung up” …”or as soon as they heard I had no industry experience, they hung up.”  Man, I personally hate this. What a waste of time. The recruitment industry is broken.  The good news is its being devoured by Artificial Intelligence,…

Why PhDs Are Powerhouses Of Productivity (& How It Can Get Your Hired)

Why PhDs Are Powerhouses Of Productivity (& How It Can Get Your Hired)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Nothing makes sense today in the job market”, a PhD expressed to me recently.  “No one is responding to my resumes. I don’t understand why they would ask for a scientist at the company and then not even want to talk to me”, they said. They went on: “I’ve even had some friends refer to me, but still didn’t get an interview. I feel like I made a mistake getting my PhD.”  It’s hard hearing this from PhDs who invested so much in their education and in advancing research for humanity.  Still, I hear it a lot.  My response is…

Employers Are Hiring PhDs Because They Learn Faster Than Other Job Candidates

Employers Are Hiring PhDs Because They Learn Faster Than Other Job Candidates

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Why would any employers hire me… I don’t have industry experience, my skills don’t match the positions I want, and I’m not hearing back from any positions I’ve applied to… Plus, I don’t know anyone in industry.” I heard this from a PhD recently who was mentally broken from their job search.  They had been applying to jobs for months and either hearing nothing back or getting rejected very quickly.  When they asked their peers for insights as to why, they heard the usual stuff, “maybe you’re overqualified?” Or… “Actually, you’re underqualified because you don’t have industry experience.” “You can’t…

What Are Ghost Job Listings & How PhDs Should Handle Them

What Are Ghost Job Listings & How PhDs Should Handle Them

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I’ve applied to hundreds of job postings” a PhD recently told me. “Using the same resume?” I asked.  “No.” they replied.  “I targeted every resume. I’ve heard nothing back. In some cases I was sent a rejection email within the hour. What’s happening?!”, they wailed.  “Ghost job listings.” I replied.  They asked me what a ghost job listing is and I explained that ghost job listings are jobs posted by real companies but they’re jobs that these companies have no intention of actually filling. Of course, this PhD wanted to know why and I told them that the answer is…

Haven’t Heard Back From An Employer? Maybe It’s Your Digital Footprint

Haven’t Heard Back From An Employer? Maybe It’s Your Digital Footprint

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I was talking to a job candidate who had everything on paper.  3 advanced degrees. Industry experience before getting their degrees.  A long list of skills that were easily matched to a variety of job postings.  But, the same negative thing kept happening.  They’d get to the first or second interview, and then, after the interview went really well, not hear back.  This happened 22 different times. Now, they’re not even getting interviews.  That’s when I asked if they’d reviewed their digital footprint.  “My what?”, they said?  Your digital footprint – a review of everything you’ve posted online that employers…

White Collar Jobs For Degree Holders Contract Steeply

White Collar Jobs For Degree Holders Contract Steeply

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Robert has had 7 final stage interviews for R&D positions and been rejected every time.  He has a PhD and the exact skills these employers were looking for.  Sarah has a Masters and was looking forward to making a good paycheck to pay off her student loans.  But she’s been uploading resumes for 6 months without getting one single interview.  What’s happening?  The skilled, or white collar job market is contracting sharply and shows no signs of expanding again over the next decade.  A recent report in Forbes discussed news that UPS drivers can earn up to $170,000 annually and…

5 Tough But Common Interview Questions For Research-Based Jobs

5 Tough But Common Interview Questions For Research-Based Jobs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I can’t get hired because of my technical skills.” “I’m nervous about the technical questions.” This is what many PhDs obsess over before interviewing for a research role.  The problem is that interviewers are rarely going to ask highly specific technical questions, even for research-based roles.  I had a PhD who was up for an interview at Baxter and told me that they appreciated the advice, but because it’s Baxter they know the interview will be mostly technical.  “Like what?” I asked. “Do you think you’re going to have to create a buffer in front of them?” “Are they going…

Adjunct, Postdoc, Or Amazon Warehouse Worker: Where PhDs With No Plan End Up

Adjunct, Postdoc, Or Amazon Warehouse Worker: Where PhDs With No Plan End Up

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

My PhD story is a cautionary tale.  I got my PhD against the backdrop of today’s contracting skilled, or “white-collar” job market.  Armed with my doctorate and an unwavering passion for research and academia, I had set my sights on a future brimming with intellectual pursuits.  Little did I know that the unpredictable twists of fate would lead me down a path I detested—donning the uniform of an Amazon warehouse worker. This is not a slight against those I currently work with. It’s just not what I thought my years and years of PhD-level training would bring me.  Sadly, after…

Scam Job Posts Versus Ghost Job Listings: A Guide For PhDs

Scam Job Posts Versus Ghost Job Listings: A Guide For PhDs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I’ve applied to hundreds of job postings.” “Using the same resume?” I asked. “No, I targeted every resume. I’ve heard nothing back. In some cases I was sent a rejection email within the hour. What’s happening?!”“Ghost job listings.” I replied.  “Like fake jobs? Scams? I had a friend who applied to a job online and entered their private info and got hacked after. Like this?” “No, though that happens. Ghost job listings are from real companies but these companies have no intention of actually filling these jobs anytime soon …or at all.” “Why would they do this? What’s the point?”…

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.