The postgraduate interview is a vital part of the admissions process, yet many students miss out on opportunities due to nerves or inadequate preparation. To help you navigate this stage with confidence, we have compiled four essential techniques to help you avoid common pitfalls and showcase your strengths effectively.

 

Technique 1

Structure Your Answers Using the STAR Method

Interviewers often find vague responses unimpressive (e.g. ‘I’m passionate about this field’). Instead, structure your answers using the STAR method:

Situation: ‘During my undergraduate research, our team faced major challenges due to data noise.’
Task: ‘My task was to design a filtering algorithm to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.’
Action: ‘I developed a hybrid denoising model by combining wavelet transformation with machine learning.’
Result: ‘This improved accuracy by 25%, and the open-source code was later recommended by my supervisor.’

Ideal for questions like:

• ‘Can you share an experience where you overcame a challenge?’
• ‘What is your most significant academic achievement?’

 

Technique 2

Preparing Your ‘Three Whys’

When asked, ‘Why did you choose our university/programme?’, avoid generic responses like, ‘Because your school has a high ranking and excellent resources.’

High-Scoring Strategy:

Curriculum Match:
‘The “Computational Neuroscience” module at your university is a perfect fit for my research interests.’

Professor Connection:
‘I was particularly impressed by Professor Smith’s 2023 paper on quantum physics in Nature, and I would love the opportunity to explore this topic further under their supervision.’

Resource Requirement:
‘Your xx laboratory’s unique low-temperature control system is the only one of its kind in Asia. It would be essential for my experiments.’

Suggested Action:

• Browse the website to research two core courses and a professor’s recent dissertation.
• Identify a direct link to the school’s resources.

 

Technique 3

Master the ‘3V Rule’ to Make a Professional Impression

Your interview performance relies heavily on non-verbal communication.

Visual

• Opt for smart casual attire, such as a collared shirt with tailored trousers or a skirt suit.
• Select a neat, distraction-free background for your video call.
• Maintain consistent eye contact by looking at the camera.

Vocal

• Speak at a measured pace – not too fast or too slow.
• Minimise the use of verbal fillers such as “um” and “er”.

Verbal

• Use discipline-specific terminology appropriately.

 

Technique 4

Ask Insightful Questions to Showcase Your Expertise

× Weak question: ‘What is the graduate employment rate?’ (This information can easily be found on the website).

Strong questions demonstrate preparation and strategic thinking, and leave a good impression on interviewers:

• ‘If I were to be admitted to the programme, which skills would you advise me to develop beforehand?’
• ‘Are there any new industry partnerships planned with [specific sector] in the coming academic year?’

 

Suggested Actions: Revise two interview responses using the STAR method. Make an appointment for a mock admission interview with the Career Development Centre.

 

Remember: ‘An interview isn’t an interrogation, but a professional dialogue – confidence comes from preparation.’