How to Crack the interview of US professor

I had an awesome experience attending a great insightful webinar by sir Amir Khan . Listening to him was a golden time for learning, motivation, and self-reflection. The topic of the webinar is How to Crack the Interview of a US professor. Let's dig in with his insights and tips.

Rat Mentality

Let's learn the concept of "Rat Mentality" with a short story. A Roman king at his time arrested his general with his family (for whatever reason). One day father (general) tells the story to his son about his past that I was general at that time and how I led the whole army. How was my horse? How do I command while sitting on my horse? His son asked him, baba what is a horse and how is it look like? The general failed to explain what the horse looked like. Then the son says baba is a horse look like my rat in the jail. The moral of the story is, that the son is imagining the whole world with its rat because he has seen the rat in his life. Avoid rat mentality and explore the world with different lenses. The world has many mysteries and things to explore. See the world with energy lenses.

Pike Syndrome

Another concept another story. The pike is a large fish in the sea. It eats small fish for their food. Once a pike fish was kept hungry. Then the pike fish was placed in an aquarium where its food was available (small fish). But there was a catch here. There was glass between the fish and the pike. When the pike sees its food, abruptly moves towards them. Pike was hit with a glass so strongly that its nose started bleeding. Pike tried 2 to 3 times more until she admitted that whenever I would go to eat my food, I would hit with a glass. After a short time, the glass was removed. Small fish were beside the pike but the hungry pike had a fear of hit. She didn't attack. The pike fish died of its hunger but didn't try next time.

This phenomenon plays with humans as well. Humans fail in their lives. But some of them accept the pike syndrome and some of them say never give up and become Elon Musk. The choice is yours. Your biggest supporter and fan must be you. Don't let the negative energies harm your soul. Be yourself and be at the place that comes into your dreams. Say every day I can do this. And you would be done that one day.

DC-1%

DC-1% is a formula for life. If you follow this rule, you can reach any level of success.

• D stands for Dedication
• C stands for Consistency
• 1% means 1 percent growth every day.

Now move towards the interview. Remember the word SPACE

1. S for Subject Knowledge (40% of the interview)
2. P for passion and motivation (30% of the interview) (Rember the DC-1% formula)
3. A for alignment with the faculty and program (15% of the interview)
4. C for communication and presentation (10% of the interview)
5. E for personal excellence (5% of the interview)

S (Subject Knowledge)

When preparing for a US professor interview, your subject knowledge is a cornerstone of your academic profile and a key determinant of success in securing a PhD position. Professors are keenly interested in assessing how well you understand your chosen field and whether you possess the depth or breadth of knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to their research.

To stand out, demonstrate your awareness of current research studies in your area of interest. Stay informed about the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in your field, as this shows your active engagement with academic discourse. Identify the research gaps—areas that remain unexplored or unresolved—and articulate how your research plans aim to fill these gaps. This reflects both your critical thinking skills and your ability to position your work as relevant and impactful.

Moreover, ensure your research interests align closely with the professor’s ongoing projects or the department’s focus areas. Show how your studies are relevant and how they integrate into the broader academic landscape. This alignment not only highlights your preparedness but also signals your potential to drive collaborative projects.

Adopting the DC1 approach (Discipline Consistency and 1% growth every day) further underscores your commitment. Professors value candidates who demonstrate consistent efforts to improve and who understand that meaningful contributions are the result of sustained growth over time. Discuss how your dedication to steady improvement has shaped your academic journey and will continue to influence your PhD studies.

Finally, emphasize how your contribution could make an impact. Whether it’s solving a pressing problem, advancing theoretical understanding, or creating new tools or methods, showcasing the potential impact of your work can inspire confidence in your ability to drive innovation and add value to the research group.

P (Passion and motivation)

Passion is the foundation of a successful academic journey. For a US professor interview, your lifelong motivation for research and innovation must shine through. Professors seek candidates who align their passion with consistent long-term goals and a genuine commitment to solving real-world problems.

Your passion should feel natural, making your profession a reflection of what you love. Express enthusiasm through your eyes, facial expressions, and words, showing unwavering dedication similar to examples like Elon Musk. Highlight your belief that the future lies in the hands of technical professionals, not fleeting trends.

Discuss your resilience in overcoming past failures, your desire for continuous growth, and your long-term vision to address societal challenges through research. When you speak, do so with clarity, sincerity, and purpose, connecting your academic pursuits to impactful contributions.

By demonstrating authentic passion, you can inspire confidence in your ability to succeed and make meaningful contributions to the field.

A (Alignment with the faculty and the program)

Showcase your deep understanding of the program’s strengths and your readiness to contribute to its academic community. Highlight how your expertise aligns perfectly with the professor’s work, making you the ideal candidate.

Express confidence in your abilities while emphasizing the mutual energy and shared vision you bring. Demonstrate knowledge of faculty research trends, ongoing lab projects, and potential areas of collaboration, showing how your personality and research goals align with the faculty’s mission.

By emphasizing this synergy, you position yourself as an invaluable asset to the program and its success.

C (Communication and presentation)

Effective communication is pivotal in a PhD interview, as it reflects your thoughts, character, and readiness for academic success. As Lao Tzu said, “Mastering yourself is true power.” Your thoughts shape your words, which influence your actions, habits, and ultimately, your destiny. Cultivating habits of clear and impactful communication can pave the way for a successful future.

In an interview, how you present yourself matters just as much as what you say. Remember Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 rule: only 7% of communication is verbal, while 38% relies on tone and 55% on body language. Use your tone and body language to convey confidence, clarity, and engagement. Employ the mirroring technique to build rapport, using the professor’s name and reflecting their energy to establish connection and trust.

Adopt the Head, Heart, and Soul formula, speaking with intellectual clarity, genuine passion, and authenticity. Vocal dynamics like pitch, pace, and tonality (CPT formula) can enhance your message. Use high pitch for enthusiasm and low pitch for authenticity, varying your tone to maintain interest. Practice breathing exercises before the interview to stay calm and focus on active listening, fostering deeper connection and engagement.

Confidence is key, but balance it to avoid arrogance. Prepare to articulate your ideas with clarity and precision, showcasing a growth mindset. Maintain a healthy sleep pattern to stay sharp and energized. By mastering these elements, you can create a lasting impression that reflects your competence, authenticity, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the academic community.

P (Personal Excellence)

Personal excellence is about embodying the soft skills that set you apart. As Nelson Mandela said, “Everything seems impossible until it’s done.” In a PhD interview, this mindset is crucial—approaching challenges with resilience and the determination to never give up shows your commitment to success.

Think of yourself as the driver of your own car, fully in control of your journey. Your presentation—through eye contact, body tone, and open posture—should exude confidence and readiness. Maintain a professional yet approachable demeanor, dressing appropriately to reflect your respect for the opportunity.

Engage authentically by connecting with your story, showing not just your achievements but the journey that brought you here. Be genuine and clear: “I am ready for this challenge.” Your confidence, coupled with humility and professionalism, will leave a lasting impression on the panel, affirming your excellence.

First Impressions: 12 Essential Steps

1. Thin slicing: The initial mental snapshot people form when they first see you.
2. Self-evaluation: Regularly assess how you present yourself to ensure consistency.
3. Ideal first impression: Pay attention to how you dress and your facial expression when first seen.
4. Hands first: Use hand gestures appropriately to convey openness and confidence.
5. Use your eyebrows: Express engagement and interest through subtle eyebrow movements.
6. Put on a genuine smile: A real smile creates warmth and approachability.
7. Avoid a closed posture: Steer clear of crossing arms or appearing defensive.
8. Use your authentic voice: Practice speaking clearly and confidently.
9. Use the professor’s name: Build rapport by addressing the professor by name during the conversation.
10. Mirror their language: Repeat words or phrases from the professor to show active listening and respect.
11. Make the last impression memorable: Ensure your final words or actions leave a lasting positive impact.
12. Powerful email: Follow up with a thoughtful, well-crafted email to reinforce your candidacy.

Useful tips

• Dress in Dark Colors: Opt for dark, solid colors to convey professionalism and avoid any flashy patterns or embroidery that might distract the professor.
• Clear Background: If it's a virtual interview, ensure your background is clean, organized, and free from distractions to maintain a professional atmosphere.

Additional Tips:

• Eye Contact: Maintain steady eye contact to convey confidence and attentiveness, but avoid staring.
• Pace Your Speech: Speak at a comfortable pace, pausing between key points to allow for better understanding and to show you are thoughtful.
• Mind Your Posture: Whether seated or standing, make sure to sit or stand tall to project confidence and professionalism.

Top Popular Questions Professors May Ask

• Why this program?Why have you chosen this particular program, and what specific aspects attracted you?
• Which faculty member would you like to work with and why?Which professor or research group do you find most aligned with your research interests, and why?
• What projects are you currently working on or have worked on?Can you discuss the projects you've been involved in and how they are relevant to the program?
• What failures have you experienced and what did you learn from them?Can you share any past challenges or failures, and how you overcame them or grew from those experiences?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?How would you describe your key strengths, and how do you manage your weaknesses?
• What is your potential contribution to the program?How do you see yourself contributing to the program and the academic community, both in research and beyond?

These are the some highlights from the webinar. If you want to listen complete webinar, here is the link below of complete video recording: https://www.facebook.com/iCodeguru/videos/1229836538099447