- Find and highlight common research goals.great job image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
Research assistantships are designed to pair graduate students with professors on a research project. The objective is to assist students in paying for their school expenses while still providing them with valuable research experience. The goal is that the professor will engage the student on a joint research project that will result in publication or a conference presentation. - As with any job for which you are applying, the interviewer wants to know what experience has prepared you for the skills required of the job. A research assistant (RA) interviewer does not care so much about your summer job as a retail clerk or camp counselor. She wants to hear about experience in what will be required of you. As a grad student, most of your research experience likely will come from previous course work, as opposed to work experience. If you you mention the irrelevant jobs, make sure to highlight skills developed like initiative, problem-solving and reliability, and explain why they have prepared you for an assistantship.
- When interviewing, be sure to justify your qualifications through education. Highlight courses that were most challenging and what you learned from them. Discuss research methodology taught and how you were able to apply it. Mention experience in courses outside of your major to demonstrate versatility. Prove that you have been taught to get desired results.
- With every job opportunity, it is wise to research the company, or in this case program, of interest. As a prospective RA, research the publications of the program and familiarize yourself with the professor with whom you are interviewing. Find common interests to discuss and it will set you apart from the other candidates. It will demonstrate your ability to research and focus. A professor has an area of specialization and likely will prefer an RA interested in the subject.
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