Video Interviews

[Samays]

Hi all,

Congrats to all who have been chosen for interview. In light of coronavirus this year, many courses seem to be considering alternative options for interview (or have chosen alternatives already) including platforms like Skype/Zoom Meetings.

I just wanted to say CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT NOW. Does your webcam work? Do your speakers work loud enough without feeding back? Does your microphone work? Do a dry run perhaps. The absolute last thing you need is one of these things not working optimally and that interfering with your interview!

Some other things to think about.....what about set up, sit facing a window or light so you are well-lit? I haven't heard any specifics from my interviewers so I don't know if they have any specifications about where or how you are sat but might be good to identify a good setting/somewhere distraction free/alternative arrangements for pets/partners/children?

Anyway, I'm sure many have thought about these things but I wanted to put this here just in case. Good luck all!

[mungle]

Having done online therapy, also think about how you can convey warmth and still communicate non-verbally even when your whole body is not shown. Also, check what's visible in the background!

[Alex]

Online interviews are being discussed in clinical course teams. Many universities have already chosen to stop face to face teaching these coming weeks and have lectures via tech platforms e.g. Zoom/Skype for rest of academic term.

I would prepare so you imagine what is it like answering questions to a laptop and screen! As well as face to face.

[Aanneett]

Hi,

I somehow managed to get two interviews this year and this is my first year of applying. Both universities have now confirmed that the interview will be online; this has increased my anxiety levels as I have never done Doctorate interview nor an online interview. I feel that I cannot present myself as well online as I potentially could in person... It's a bitter-sweet feeling about this year process as I know it's impacted by the serious external events but I can't help feeling stressed / upset.

[Alex]

Hi,

I somehow managed to get two interviews this year and this is my first year of applying. Both universities have now confirmed that the interview will be online; this has increased my anxiety levels as I have never done Doctorate interview nor an online interview. I feel that I cannot present myself as well online as I potentially could in person... It's a bitter-sweet feeling about this year process as I know it's impacted by the serious external events but I can't help feeling stressed / upset.

You never know it could be advantageous for you!

[veritylm]

UCL have just sent out an email saying the interviews will not be face-to-face (suggests Skype?)

[Aanneett]

Hi,

I somehow managed to get two interviews this year and this is my first year of applying. Both universities have now confirmed that the interview will be online; this has increased my anxiety levels as I have never done Doctorate interview nor an online interview. I feel that I cannot present myself as well online as I potentially could in person... It's a bitter-sweet feeling about this year process as I know it's impacted by the serious external events but I can't help feeling stressed / upset.

You never know it could be advantageous for you!

Reflecting back (I had my interview on Monday, so I gave it some time for my emotions to calm down) I believe that the online interview wasn't a great experience. I let the anxiety take over and I wasn't able to calm myself quick enough. I found it challenging to build rapport with people who were interviewing, and I had no idea how long to talk for as I wasn't sure when they wanted to speak. I definitely have taken some lessons out of this experience for future interviews.

[Blossom]

Hi,

I somehow managed to get two interviews this year and this is my first year of applying. Both universities have now confirmed that the interview will be online; this has increased my anxiety levels as I have never done Doctorate interview nor an online interview. I feel that I cannot present myself as well online as I potentially could in person... It's a bitter-sweet feeling about this year process as I know it's impacted by the serious external events but I can't help feeling stressed / upset.

You never know it could be advantageous for you!

Reflecting back (I had my interview on Monday, so I gave it some time for my emotions to calm down) I believe that the online interview wasn't a great experience. I let the anxiety take over and I wasn't able to calm myself quick enough. I found it challenging to build rapport with people who were interviewing, and I had no idea how long to talk for as I wasn't sure when they wanted to speak. I definitely have taken some lessons out of this experience for future interviews.

I interviewed last Tuesday and I had similar experiences. I had been feeling unwell the night before but felt too late to reschedule. I actually became anxious due to being unwell and unable to hear the questions or respond appropriatly. Got myself into an unhelpful cycle that I was unable to get out of. I have been away at home now since due to being sick. But what I have learnt is how to better manage my anxieties and actually ask for help rather than push through- this last part was important as it turned out the course actually allowed others that were unwell to reschedule.

[Aanneett]

You never know it could be advantageous for you!

Reflecting back (I had my interview on Monday, so I gave it some time for my emotions to calm down) I believe that the online interview wasn't a great experience. I let the anxiety take over and I wasn't able to calm myself quick enough. I found it challenging to build rapport with people who were interviewing, and I had no idea how long to talk for as I wasn't sure when they wanted to speak. I definitely have taken some lessons out of this experience for future interviews.

I interviewed last Tuesday and I had similar experiences. I had been feeling unwell the night before but felt too late to reschedule. I actually became anxious due to being unwell and unable to hear the questions or respond appropriatly. Got myself into an unhelpful cycle that I was unable to get out of. I have been away at home now since due to being sick. But what I have learnt is how to better manage my anxieties and actually ask for help rather than push through- this last part was important as it turned out the course actually allowed others that were unwell to reschedule.

I'm sorry to hear your experience was similar and I do hope you are feeling better. I struggled with hearing the questions as well and also, the interviewers were so close to their cameras I was unable to see their faces probly so reading any responses was impossible. I had two ppl interviewing and often camera was showing one person, but the other wanted to say something and it was all a bit of a mess. I think the 'unhelpful cycle' is the right way to describe it, and looking back I can recognise where I could get out of it, but during the interview emotions took over. Oh well, I gave myself two days to be upset and angry about it, but now it's time to move on. There is still a tiny bit of hope left.

[ell]

It sounds like video interviews have been tough for lots of people, it's completely understandable. Be kind to yourselves, no one expected it to be this way, and you won't be the only ones who struggled. And remember that everyone had to do interviews this way, and while it might have suited some more than others, you're all in the same boat with this one.

[Blossom]

Reflecting back (I had my interview on Monday, so I gave it some time for my emotions to calm down) I believe that the online interview wasn't a great experience. I let the anxiety take over and I wasn't able to calm myself quick enough. I found it challenging to build rapport with people who were interviewing, and I had no idea how long to talk for as I wasn't sure when they wanted to speak. I definitely have taken some lessons out of this experience for future interviews.

I interviewed last Tuesday and I had similar experiences. I had been feeling unwell the night before but felt too late to reschedule. I actually became anxious due to being unwell and unable to hear the questions or respond appropriatly. Got myself into an unhelpful cycle that I was unable to get out of. I have been away at home now since due to being sick. But what I have learnt is how to better manage my anxieties and actually ask for help rather than push through- this last part was important as it turned out the course actually allowed others that were unwell to reschedule.

I'm sorry to hear your experience was similar and I do hope you are feeling better. I struggled with hearing the questions as well and also, the interviewers were so close to their cameras I was unable to see their faces probly so reading any responses was impossible. I had two ppl interviewing and often camera was showing one person, but the other wanted to say something and it was all a bit of a mess. I think the 'unhelpful cycle' is the right way to describe it, and looking back I can recognise where I could get out of it, but during the interview emotions took over. Oh well, I gave myself two days to be upset and angry about it, but now it's time to move on. There is still a tiny bit of hope left.

Like you, I spent days upset but I got some good news 3 days after that pulled me right out. The good news is now causing major conflict re career direction. I was offered an ESRC funded PhD with Essex Uni in Chronic Illness which is what I was hoping to specialise in after clinical. However, it is coming before the clinical so unsure of what to do. Are you interviewing elsewhere?

[Blossom]

It sounds like video interviews have been tough for lots of people, it's completely understandable. Be kind to yourselves, no one expected it to be this way, and you won't be the only ones who struggled. And remember that everyone had to do interviews this way, and while it might have suited some more than others, you're all in the same boat with this one.

Thank you so much Ell. It is great to have someone put things in perspective whilst still encouraging self-compassion whcih can be hard at the current state of affairs.

[Aanneett]

I interviewed last Tuesday and I had similar experiences. I had been feeling unwell the night before but felt too late to reschedule. I actually became anxious due to being unwell and unable to hear the questions or respond appropriatly. Got myself into an unhelpful cycle that I was unable to get out of. I have been away at home now since due to being sick. But what I have learnt is how to better manage my anxieties and actually ask for help rather than push through- this last part was important as it turned out the course actually allowed others that were unwell to reschedule.

I'm sorry to hear your experience was similar and I do hope you are feeling better. I struggled with hearing the questions as well and also, the interviewers were so close to their cameras I was unable to see their faces probly so reading any responses was impossible. I had two ppl interviewing and often camera was showing one person, but the other wanted to say something and it was all a bit of a mess. I think the 'unhelpful cycle' is the right way to describe it, and looking back I can recognise where I could get out of it, but during the interview emotions took over. Oh well, I gave myself two days to be upset and angry about it, but now it's time to move on. There is still a tiny bit of hope left.

Like you, I spent days upset but I got some good news 3 days after that pulled me right out. The good news is now causing major conflict re career direction. I was offered an ESRC funded PhD with Essex Uni in Chronic Illness which is what I was hoping to specialise in after clinical. However, it is coming before the clinical so unsure of what to do. Are you interviewing elsewhere?

Oh that's sounds great, well done! Are you able to decide once you hear from the Doctorate or do you need to accept now? It's such a tough decision, but it's better than not having a decision to make

Yes, I've got an interview with Manchester. They have announced that the interview is only 15 minutes and only one questions, therefore I am not sure what to expect or what to prepare so I've decided to prioritise self care instead.

[Blossom]

I'm sorry to hear your experience was similar and I do hope you are feeling better. I struggled with hearing the questions as well and also, the interviewers were so close to their cameras I was unable to see their faces probly so reading any responses was impossible. I had two ppl interviewing and often camera was showing one person, but the other wanted to say something and it was all a bit of a mess. I think the 'unhelpful cycle' is the right way to describe it, and looking back I can recognise where I could get out of it, but during the interview emotions took over. Oh well, I gave myself two days to be upset and angry about it, but now it's time to move on. There is still a tiny bit of hope left.

Like you, I spent days upset but I got some good news 3 days after that pulled me right out. The good news is now causing major conflict re career direction. I was offered an ESRC funded PhD with Essex Uni in Chronic Illness which is what I was hoping to specialise in after clinical. However, it is coming before the clinical so unsure of what to do. Are you interviewing elsewhere?

Oh that's sounds great, well done! Are you able to decide once you hear from the Doctorate or do you need to accept now? It's such a tough decision, but it's better than not having a decision to make

Yes, I've got an interview with Manchester. They have announced that the interview is only 15 minutes and only one questions, therefore I am not sure what to expect or what to prepare so I've decided to prioritise self care instead.

Thank you
I love the fact that self care is being prioritised as I wouldn't know how to approach such interview. I have to let ESRC know by end of April I believe but my 2nd and last interview is in May so not sure of how to approach it...

[Aanneett]

Like you, I spent days upset but I got some good news 3 days after that pulled me right out. The good news is now causing major conflict re career direction. I was offered an ESRC funded PhD with Essex Uni in Chronic Illness which is what I was hoping to specialise in after clinical. However, it is coming before the clinical so unsure of what to do. Are you interviewing elsewhere?

Oh that's sounds great, well done! Are you able to decide once you hear from the Doctorate or do you need to accept now? It's such a tough decision, but it's better than not having a decision to make

Yes, I've got an interview with Manchester. They have announced that the interview is only 15 minutes and only one questions, therefore I am not sure what to expect or what to prepare so I've decided to prioritise self care instead.

Thank you
I love the fact that self care is being prioritised as I wouldn't know how to approach such interview. I have to let ESRC know by end of April I believe but my 2nd and last interview is in May so not sure of how to approach it...

This sounds like a difficult decision to make. I guess by the time you have to let them know you will know the outcome of your first interview which maybe helpful.

Btw. practise makes perfect, the second interview went a bit better as I was able to manage my nerves around doing the interview online.

The application has now updated to Pending Result, does that mean that they have sent the letters out? I though that due to the current situation they are more likely to update us by email but unfortunately haven't heard anything...