The 2019-2020 interview season is upon us. It’s not too late to brush up on your interviewing skills. I’m resurfacing various advice posts from over the years. Many of these are old, from when I could still remember what it was like to interview!
Read and share my SIAM Blog Post on How and Why to Ask Good Questions During Interviews, Dec. 2013. [SIAM Blog Posts]
I used to give a seminar every summer to our interns on How to Give a Talk: Advice on Preparing and Presenting Technical Talks in the Mathematical Sciences. The last one was in 2010, and some specific advice is dated. In particular, TexPoint has (slide 28) has been replaced by IguanaTex, which I highly recommend. [Advice Talks]
See also my SIAM News article with Virgina Torczon: Top Ten Ways to Lose an Audience from 2011. [Advice Talks]
Definitely read this book: A PhD Is Not Enough: A Guide To Survival In Science by Peter J. Feibelman. [Recommended Reading]
I gave a talk at CSE19 which was directed at professors designing PhD programs but has information about what life is like at Sandia and other national labs. [CSE19 Education Talk]
Some random extra advice on interview talks…
- Include slide numbers (makes it easier for audience questions later)
- Include your name and contact information on the last slide
- Titles should be informative, i.e., slide summary
On a lighter note: The illustrated guide to a PhD by Matt Might. [Recommended Reading]