1.
Tell us about yourself
This is Mandula China Pentu Saheb. I completed Diploma in Mechanical engineering.
after completion of diploma i joined as trainee engineer in L&T Cement factory,
tadipatri, andhra pradesh. due to dust allergy i resigned to that job and did
Higher diploma in software engineering in APTECH. After completion of this diploma
i joined as programmer in Narasaraopeta Engineering College, narasaraopet. I
continued that job for 9 years. then i realized that Qualification is as important
as knowledge. then i pursued B.Tech and M.Tech in Computers. After that I joined as
assistant professor in Tirumala Engineering college. I did this job for 5 years.
recently i joined as assistant professor in VVIT college guntur.
2. Why do you want to do a PhD?
One of my career goal is to become a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological
University Narasaraopeta. so I need Ph.D
3. Why are you interested in this Phd?
I want to do research in data mining area. moreever i realized that qualification
is as important as knowledge. so I am interested in PhD program.
4. What experience makes you a good candidate?
Apart from UG and PG courses, i completed higher diploma in software engineering. I
completed NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) courses. I am
Aptech cerfified computer professional. i publised scopus indexed and web of index
papers.
5. How did you develop this proposal?
There are no trick questions here. The interviewer wants to see that you are
engaged with the field and spent some time preparing your proposal. Take them
through your thought process and discuss the background reading and research you
did. What other approaches did you consider before deciding on this one? What will
your project contribute to the field?
6. What difficulties would you expect to encounter during this project?
No matter how carefully you plan, no project goes off without a hitch. Be honest
about where you see potential difficulties, but more importantly discuss how you
plan to work through them.
7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I am APTECH Certified Faculty.
I am Technical Trainer.
I am Software Developer.
I am Website Developer.
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Another classic interview question, and one you definitely don�t want to be
answering off the top of your head. Pick a strength that is relevant to this
position and then give a few examples of how you have used it well. When it comes
to choosing a weakness, be truthful and then (using examples again) talk about how
you have been working to overcome it.
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8. Tell us about a time you experienced a setback
The next three to six years of your PhD won�t be smooth sailing. You are likely to
hit many snags along the way. The interviewer wants to know you are resourceful and
can handle these setback. Try to think of an academic challenge you have had to
overcome rather than a personal one.
9. What are your future career plans?
This is another way to suss out your motivations for doing a PhD and see if you
have given a thought to what comes after your doctorate. How will a PhD help you
achieve your future goals? Someone with a clear goal in mind is likely to be more
committed to doing a PhD. For many, the goal will be to pursue an academic career,
in which case this is an opportunity to show you understand the academic career
path.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
Remember that this interview goes both ways. It is important that you have some
questions to ask the interviewer to show your engagement and the serious
consideration you are giving their program. You are preparing to spend several
years of your life at this school. Think about what is important to you and what
would make or break your decision to attend this university. Prepare a list of
questions ahead of the interview.
1. Why do you think you are the right candidate for this Ph.D. program?
Ph.D. admission committees seek candidates that will uphold institutional standards
and reflect well on the program. When preparing your answer, consider any specific
research you have performed that relates to the program. You may also want to
describe your extracurricular activities, such as volunteer work or exchange
programs.
Example: �I completed a Master�s Degree in Environmental Science, specifically
focusing on the effects of global warming on water resources in Africa. After
earning my degree, I spent a gap year traveling through Africa in which I learned
more about the water problems in many countries. As this Ph.D. program concerns the
access and availability of alternative water resources, it strongly aligns with my
previous research and my field of interest. I would like to use my research to make
a difference in the lives of many groups in Africa.�
2. Why do you wish to pursue a Ph.D.?
Most Ph.D. programs take between three to five years to complete and involve
complex and challenging work. An interviewer will want to know whether you have the
motivation to complete your degree. When answering this question, you should assure
the interviewer you are committed to all aspects of the Ph.D. process. You can
highlight your passion for the topic and mention that you want to learn as much as
possible during your studies. Discuss any specific examples that inspired you to
pursue your Ph.D.
Example: �When I was earning my master�s degree, I tutored first-year students and
quickly realized that I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I also feel
comfortable and energized in an academic environment. For these reasons, I want to
continue my studies with a Ph.D. so I can pursue a career as a lecturer, and
hopefully one day, as a professor. I am passionate about my research in global
economics, and I think it is a very relevant topic in our world today. I am excited
about furthering my knowledge in this field and hope to make a valuable academic
contribution.�
3. What do you plan to do after you have completed your Ph.D.?
Ph.D. admission panels usually prefer candidates who plan to pursue careers in
their chosen fields of research after they complete their Ph.D.s. These candidates
tend to be more invested in their research, increasing the likelihood that they�ll
finish the program. When answering this question, emphasize that you want to obtain
your Ph.D. as part of a plan for your future. Even if you haven�t chosen a specific
profession yet, you can research career paths and mention one or two choices that
you think would fit your field of interest best.
Example: �I have had a clear vision of what career I would like to pursue since I
earned my bachelor�s degree. After I have completed my Ph.D. in Clinical
Psychology, I want to earn my license and open my own practice. I plan to
specialize in group therapy to help individuals learn how to express themselves and
understand how they contribute to their community.�
4. Why have you chosen this specific Ph.D. program?
There are normally only a few positions available for Ph.D. programs, and many have
limited research funding. Interviewers usually seek candidates who have strong
motivations for applying to a specific program. They may also want to know why you
have chosen their institution instead of a similar program at another university.
It is important to supply clear, specific reasons for applying for the Ph.D.
program. You could, for instance, mention that your field of research aligns with
the program�s and that no other universities offer a narrow, specialized scope.
Explain if there are any specific courses that interest you or if there�s a
professor you�d like to learn from.
Example: �Since I wish a junior in high school, I have dreamed of joining this
English department, since it�s one of the best in the country. I especially
appreciate the work of Professor Meyer and know that he is one of the top academics
in transnational crime fiction. It is because of his work that I decided to earn my
master�s in this field. I would be honored to have him as my Ph.D. advisor.�
5. What impact would you like your Ph.D. project to have?
Institutions tend to select students who know how their Ph.D. work can make a
positive impact. When you are preparing for a Ph.D. interview, think about how your
research project might improve society or bring awareness to an important social
issue. Be confident when describing how you think your project could affect your
industry, research field or the world positively.
Example: �I am passionate about increasing environmental awareness. That is why I
initially enrolled in an environmental science degree. For my master�s research, I
started focusing on bringing environmental education programs to third-world
countries. My Ph.D. research will be an extension of my master�s degree, as I want
to develop free environmental education software for schools in underfunded areas.�
Ph.D. interview tips
Apart from preparing for specific questions, there are a few general points that
you should follow when preparing for an upcoming interview:
Give attention to your appearance
The first impression you give your interviewer or panel will largely depend on how
you present yourself. Aim to look neat and professional, regardless of the format
of the interview. Try to choose a comfortable, simple outfit that allows you to
focus on the interview.
Be prepared
You may have already submitted a letter of intent or personal statement that
outlines your goals. Consider reviewing your statement before the interview to
develop more thorough answers. As interviewers are likely to ask about your work,
you may also wish to review your research proposal and your master�s thesis. In
addition, spend some time researching the institution, department and advisors so
you can answer questions about why you chose the program.
Ask questions
In many Ph.D. interviews, the panel will allow you to ask questions toward the end
of the meeting. Asking questions can help you find out more about the program to
determine whether you are likely to adapt well and if they will offer the support
you require. Ask questions about opportunities for grants and summer funding, how
often you�ll meet with your advisor, what the resources for the program are and
whether you will be able to publish your dissertation.
Be honest and open
Although it is important to make a good impression by being assertive, professional
and confident, you should also try to be yourself. Strive to be as honest as
possible when answering questions while also remaining positive and enthusiastic.
