Tailor Your Preparation

It is important to make sure that, when attending an interview, you show an awareness of the context the job or research placement is in.

This applies in a research setting as much as in an employment setting; one can make oneself a more impressive candidate by showing background knowledge of the employer or research establishment.

So, here are some things to consider:

• What goals does the organisation have? Can you contribute in a manner which would further these goals?

• Is the employer competing with another organisation?  Why would you rather work for this employer than their rivals?

•  Do they have a business plan? Would you be able to give your views on it, or bring new ideas to the table?

• Has the organisation recently had some big news? A big contract/funding/coverage in a current affairs topic, for example. If so, would you be able to discuss it with your interviewer?

• In a research setting, what publications has the research group, your potential supervisor etc. recently released? Could you talk about their findings and potential implications of them, particularly if they relate to your own potential position?

There may be more specific things to think about in relation to the post you're applying for, and the list above is not intended to be exhaustive, but hopefully you will have a greater insight in to the kinds of things one might want to have made preparations for.