Towards a Successful Laboratory Oral Interview

For some, the oral interview with your professor at the end of an experiment can be a
source of great anxiety, yet there are many ways you can prepare for one. This handout
is designed to help you excel in the Laboratory Oral Interview.

The oral interview is a chance for you to demonstrate your knowledge and academic
professionalism to your professor. Of course, this is primarily done by correctly
answering the questions posed to you by your professor. However, how you answer is
just as important as what you answer. Your goal should be to give correct answers in
your own words in a professional manner, not mumbled memorized pieces of your
handout.

Be prepared!

1. Here are some typical questions you are likely to be asked in every oral
interview. The answers to these questions are very easy to prepare ahead of
time.
 What are the objectives of this experiment? (Don’t just repeat the objectives
word-for-word from your handout; state them in your own words.)
 What are the constant variables?
 What are the sources of errors, and how can you prevent making these
errors?
 What safety precautions need to be considered?
2. Be direct and concise. Get to your point quickly without rambling. For example,
you should be able to say the objective of the experiment in a sentence or two.
3. Try to make connections between the theoretical and the physical. For example,
what parts of the experiment correspond to the variables in the formula? This
demonstrates that you understand the theory behind the experiment.
4. Be very familiar with the experiment objectives, procedures, data, theory, etc.
While you may have to refer to your handout for specific formulas or data, the
better you can summarize content in your own words, the better you
demonstrate understanding of the experiment.
5. Anticipate questions about the independent variables in the equations.
6. Be prepared to answer questions that begin with ‘how’ and ‘why’? For example,
‘how do you account for the loss in pressure?’

Be professional!

1. Show confidence by speaking clearly and audibly (but not too loud) and by
keeping eye contact with your professor.
2. Adopt a casual academic tone. Too formal of a tone can create an uncomfortable
distance between you and your professor and peers. Your speech does not have
to be as formal as your writing, but it should be grammatically correct and more
formal than when you speak with your friends; i.e., no slang, no Singlish.
 3. Use facial expressions, nodding, small vocalizations (e.g., ‘uh-huh,’ ‘I see’), when
you are being spoken too. This demonstrates to your professor that you are
following along and you are an active listener. A poker face is difficult to read and
may be misinterpreted as boredom or a lack of comprehension.
4. Pay attention to your peers as they answer. Not only is this courteous, but you
may be called on to elaborate on your peer’s answer.
5. If you need a bit of time to think of your answer, use conversational markers that
help you stall in a professional way. For example, ‘that’s a good question,’ ‘hmm,
let me think,’ ‘well, it could be …,’ ‘are you asking me ...?’; use these markers
instead of ‘uh…,’ ‘um...,’ or a blank stare.
6. Smile! It is always more pleasant to talk to a smiling face, and smiling will help
you relax.

Remember, that as a student of a prestigious research university, you are not only
preparing yourself for the academic and working world by acquiring knowledge and
technical skills, you also need to prepare yourself professionally for your future. Use the
Laboratory Oral Interview as an opportunity to practice these skills.