Interviews for fellowships tend to occur in the later stages of a fellowship’s competition time line. Selection committees make preliminary decisions based only on the written application and then invite those who are most promising to be interviewed. Those who are invited for an interview need to prepare carefully as the interview will ultimately determine whether or not a candidate is successful.
Interview formats vary greatly between fellowship programs.
- Some only require an on-campus interview made up of faculty and/or academic advisors.
- Other fellowships convene their own interview panels made up of their alumni, or accomplished academics/professionals in the field.
- The interviews may be conducted one-on-one or with a panel of interviewers. They can be done in person and more frequently by Zoom. Some interviews may even be done in a group setting.
Why an interview?
Interviews are critical to the selection process. They give the selection committee the opportunity to learn more about you and how well you think on your feet. They will be able to gauge your qualifications for their program and get to know how well you understand a particular discipline or topic. The interview will also convince the committee that you are not just “strong on paper” but that you can articulate who you are as an individual and showcase your strengths and skills .
What happens if I am invited to an interview?
Baruch students who are invited to a fellowship interview should reach out to Baruch’s Prestigious Fellowships Advisor to request a mock interview. These mock interviews will be as similar to the actual interview experience as possible. This is an effective way to prepare and to help you understand the expectations of the selection committee while developing talking points that best articulate your goals and how the fellowship can help you reach them.
Interview Tips for Success
- Be sure to have responses for the following questions: How are you a good fit for this fellowship? How will you benefit from this opportunity, and what will you contribute to the organization/those you work with etc? How does this fellowship fit benefit your plans for the future?
- Dress appropriately: Dress in professional attire, but also dress comfortably so you do not fidget with awkward attire during your interview. The interviewers should remember you and your responses, NOT what you were wearing.
- Do your research: The selection committees are looking for candidates who embody the qualities their organizations value. Research the sponsoring organization. What is its purpose/history? Who was its founder? What are its mission and goals? Learn about past recipients so that you can best convey how your own accomplishments/goals are a good match for the fellowship. If you are studying outside the U.S, be sure to research the country where you are going.
- Don’t forget what you wrote: Read over all of your application materials. Many of the interview questions will come from what you included in your application, transcripts and essays.
- Schedule a Mock Interview with Baruch’s Fellowship Advisor: This is your best Tip for Interview Success.
Characteristics of a Successful Interview
The best interviews are those that feel more like a conversation an interrogation. You should engage with questions, rather than merely respond. Some characteristics of a successful interview are:
Confidence. You have a lot to be proud of. Fewer than half of those who submitted applications will be invited to interview. You have already impressed the selection committee on paper and now you need to show them that you are deserving of their award. Your body language should convey your confidence. You should sit up straight, not slouch. Use appropriate hand gesture, and keep them in your lap when not using them. Do not touch your face or hair too often. Keep the tone of your voice even and loud enough for them to hear. Do not mumble, articulate every word and do not speak too fast. Also, watch out for the over use of “like” or “um.” Keep your answers concise and to the point. Spend no more than 1 to 3 minutes on each response.
Respect. Carefully listen to each question and do not be afraid to let a few moments go by as your form your answer. Do not be afraid to say “I don’t know” if you do not know an answer. You will come off better than if you attempted to give an answer that was nonsense. Honesty and humility are more impressive characteristics than coming off as a know it all. Make eye contact with all your interviewers, not just the one who asked you a particular question if the interview is conducted by a panel (or make sure to look at the screen if interviewing by Zoom). Remember to say “thank you” at the end of the interview.
Professionalism. Arrive or login on time or somewhat early. Do not take anything with you into the interview room other than a handbag or notebook. Make sure your cell phone is turned off. Be polite and courteous. It is OK to defend your point of view if you are being challenged, but do this with humble confidence (not arrogance). Your perspective is valid. The selection committee wants to see how well you can intelligently and convincingly convey your ideas. Remember how you behave during the interview is just as important as the responses that you give.
Knowledge. There is no way to predict exactly what questions you will be asked, but you can be sure that qualities of engagement, confidence, manner, affability, and sincerity may all be assessed. Provided that you’ve done your homework and sufficiently prepared for the questions that you will be asked you should have no problem exhibiting your knowledge of your subject matter. Don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat the question or ask for clarification on something if it is unclear. You want to make sure that your response is related to the question. It is always a good idea to have a grasp of current trends that are occurring in your field. In addition, you should have some general knowledge of events occurring here in the U.S., and in your host country if you are applying for an international fellowship. Avoid using slang, or too many technical terms or discipline specific acronyms unless you know that your committee is made up entirely of experts in that field.
Enthusiasm. Smile! Show your enthusiasm for the opportunity and for your proposed study program or project. If you have any new or updated information to offer since applying be sure to tell them. Do not forget to thank them for their time.