Interview in a couple of weeks - what to wear please?! (especially academics)

[BlueLeaves]

I have an interview coming up - first one since finishing my PhD, and first ever 'proper' job interview. But to get the important (!) stuff out of the way, what should I wear? Job is research fellow/postdoctoral position in humanities subject - I have a black trouser suit which I'd be comfy in, but would this be too formal? Otherwise maybe black widelegs with a black poloneck, or some sort of shirt??

Help, please, I'm feeling a bit clueless!!

And for academic types (Fennel, Ellbell, Kathy??), or anyone who works in HE, what would you expect someone to wear to interview for a research post of this kind?

Lots of advice about correct dress for academics here

I think either sounds fine to be honest. Trouser suit wouldn't be too formal but equally, trousers and poloneck or shirt would be fine.

Actually on balance I would probably do the trouser suit, on the principle of dressing more smartly at the interview than you would once you're in the job, and a suit making you look professional and organised.

LOL at thread, yes I saw that one Kathy! (have namechanged for this )

Thanks so much for the tip, will go with suit I think - it's smart but one that's easy to wear. most people on here seem to think that overdressed is better than under, too, going by the archives, so that's another plus for the suit I reckon!

A suit's never too formal for an interview. Go with the suit. Especially if you feel comfy in it. Better to be too smart than not smart enough. Good luck with the interview!

Thanks Rosa! Suit it is - it's my first 'proper' interview, so exciting but scary. But I have nothing to lose, so I'm kind of looking forward to it too!

Kathy, hope this isn't too cheeky of me, but do you have any generic interview tips for this sort of job?? (am I right in thinking you are humanities of some sort? apologies if not!) Any tips at all would be gratefully received.

Other tips for what to wear; keep hair/make up simple. Long hair should be up and tidy. Minimal jewellery. You don't really have to wear a shirt under the suit. You could wear a top or a jumper depending on the weather. I always find I get really hot and sweaty just from the stress of the situation so better to wear something quite cool. I also sometimes blush on my neck and chest if I'm really nervous so, if that happens to you too, wear a high neckline.

I've only been for academic interviews for an MA, not a job so I can't offer specific advice but good general advice is to look closely at the job duties and the person specification. Questions are usually based around this. I'm willing to bet they'll ask you about your previous research experience and they'll expect you to be able to talk about any major bits of work you've done, why you chose to focus on certain things, what interests you in the job etc. It also pays to do lots of research on the job/uni/dept. Show that you know what their main areas of work are and what the people who are interviewing you are specialists in.

good luck!

Blueleaves - I am humanities but I'm a slightly strange vocational postgraduate-only sort of humanities (sorry to be mysterious, it's such a small subject I would be too easily identifiable if I said what it was).

I think RamblingRosa is spot on. It's amazing how many people come to interviews without apparently having bothered to read the job description

They're most likely to ask you about publication plans, I reckon - they want to know you're a good bet for the next RAE-equivalent. Also applications for research grants - they would want to know whether you have had any in the past and what other money you could bring in.

If this is for an Oxbridge research fellowship wear a very low cut blouse and say you'd love to be on the college library committee.

IME you can get away with almost any level of dishevellment in an academic interview in humanities and social sciences (though not in law).

I tend to wear a suit or smart jacket and trousers though, and I tend to be ovedressed compared to the other interviewees (but in everyday life I am scruffy and casual so I overcompensate for interviews).

I assume that being a bit too formally dressed at interview is better than the opposite.

I am a research fellow! I dressed very smartly for my interview - a suit I think. I really don't think you should worry about being "too smart" - most if not all of the male candidates will wear suits in any case (in my experience), so the equivalent is fine.

For the interview, if you've sent work, be prepared to discuss that of course - and beware that for some of these positions (eg Oxbridge college fellowships) the panel of interviewers may be almost entirely academics who aren't specialists in your field, so give a bit of thought to describing the relevance and importance of your research to intelligent non specialists who might be in a totally different field. (Oxbridge colleges may also want to know what you'll 'contribute to the college' more generally.)
Otherwise, I agree that future research plans/publications are obvious questions. If the job comes with an option to teach a bit - of it the university is secretly hoping that you might help out with some - then be prepared for that possibly to come up too. If you don't have many publications yet, see if you can talk about conference papers you've given recently/will be given that might turn into publications, for instance.

Thanks very much all!

It's not a JRF (I wish ) but an ahrc project, which I'm fairly certain I have about a 1% chance of getting, but I'll give it my best shot anyway!

What surprised me, though, is the fact that there's no research presentation attached to the interview - it's literally just an interview. Is this unusual IYE??

Hopeful bump in case anyone has any interview tips as well as sartorial ones. Getting a bit nervous now

A suit (trousers or skirt)

hi blueleaves, I have recently had an interview to be an academic researcher, my tip would be to know your own research well and be able to recall it in detail, and read the interviewers' papers. I think it really shows interest if you've read up in their areas.

Wear a suit. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. But try to avoid the "policewoman" look ie. black suit, white blouse, no distinguishing features.

A good tip is a piece of statement jewellery eg. a brooch or necklace or even a fancy scarf. If you are on an interview panel seeing loads of people they can all merge into one, and it is easier to remember people with something unusual in their appearance that you can latch on to.

Look friendly, keen and don't give a single hint that you think you only have a 1% chance! Good luck!

When's the interview Blueleaves? Good luck for it.

It's quite normal not to have to do a presentation for a research job interview. If I were you I'd read up closely on the AHRC proposal and the job spec and try and link your skills and knowledge to those (as you have probably done on the application form). The interviewers have to show they are using the job spec to appoint a candidate, so think about how your experience so far can relate to all the Necessary and Desirable points on the job spec.

Don't worry too much, IME research jobs are a lot to do with your CV and how your skills and experience already fit the job spec, researchers aren't necessarily expected to have fantastic interview skills.

Thanks again all!

Rosa, it's next week, but I'm trying to prepare however I can.

Thanks for tips fennel - good to know that it's not so unusual not to have research presentations. I was wondering whether it was a 'bare minimum' sort of selection process, perhaps because they already have someone in mind for the post. Am combing the research proposal for ideas/angles to cover. My doctoral work is related to the new project, but is slightly at a tangent to it (ie my PhD isn't directly on the material to be covered - and perhaps there'll be someone applying who has just completed a directly relevant one, who knows!!).

Good luck. You will have to let us know how it goes.

Dh has over the years employed a lot of RAs/post docs. I think the key thing for him in the interview is that you can deliver on the element of the project he needs you for (and that indeed you understand what that is) and have the appropriate skills. An understanding of the project and enthusiasm for it and the general research area helps too.

Cheers Goosey, that's helpful.

Will do kathy! I'm not too hopeful tbh, but will be trying out my very best impression of their perfect applicant

I got the job!!

Wheeeeeeeeeee!

And phew.

Didn't think the interview went particularly well, but obviously it must have been good enough. THanks to all on this thread for your help.

And phew again!