Interview Questions

General questions

• Why did you apply to this particular position?
• Briefly summarize the approach that you use to write a formal email
• How do you handle disagreement with a boss or a co-worker?
• Briefly mention three situations where there is clearly a sense of respect between coworkers. List three were there is none.
• What makes you feel supported in an academic environment? What about a non-academic one?
• You notice that a fellow lab member has left the group spaces of the lab very messy, how would you approach communicating this issue?
• There is a large disagreement during a lab meeting, how would you address this issue?
• Talk about how you organize projects, classes, your personal commitments, etc
• Based on your experience, what does the ideal amount of mentoring/guidance look for you?
• As a member of the DDL, you are expected to meet with Cristian, the lab's PI, at least once a week. Is this realistic for your schedule? Are you able to adapt to meet the lab's expectations of you?
• How do you plan on keeping information organized for projects, potential projects, etc.?
• Why do you think we should hire you?

Postdocs

• What has been your key realization about writing grants or papers? Anything that comes to mind?
• How would you deal with a grant rejection?
• As a postdoc in the lab, you are seen as a role model for younger students, how do you handle a leadership position? How do you plan on impacting other members of the lab through implementing our core values?
• What would you like to accomplish outside of the academy?
• How do you network at an academic conference?
• What would you like to learn during your time in the lab?
• How do you feel you will productively maintain submitting one paper per year as part of the requirements of this job position?

MS Advising Team

• How will you handle questions that you do not know the answer to?
• How do you keep yourself organized?
• Do you feel comfortable with your role in assisting other students within the InfoSci degree?

Graduate students

• Your work was publicly challenged at a seminar by a fellow graduate student. How would you approach the situation?
• How do you approach the joint project process when working collaboratively?
• Talk about your experience attending/presenting at a conference
• You know that this role requires you to attend conferences and speak about your work, but this process causes some anxiety. How do you stay confident in your abilities at these conferences?

Undergraduate students

• What would you prioritize – a midterm or a due date for a project in the lab?
• You are feeling overwhelmed with your undergraduate classes along with your position in the DDL, do you communicate this with Cristian, or how do you approach the issue?