The University of Massachusetts Amherst Interview Questions

Interview was pretty straight forward. Very comfortable interview. Did not feel nervous or intimidated. They asked pretty much standard questions that are typically asked during all interviews. The interview lasted approximately thirty to forty five minutes.

Behavioral interviews ask for situational and theoretical questions, mainly about topics of diversity equity, and inclusion as well as student life overall. Questions also revolved around time management, responsibility and leadership.

One meeting with two advisors. Offered a position several weeks later in one of the aforementioned advisor's laboratories. I was not asked too many questions in the interview other than about my educational background and programming skills.

Easy questions about my research ea background, my goals, and research interests. We also talked about ongoing research projects, fundings, and lab culture. We had a conversation with positive reactions. I thought my advisor seemed already decided to give an offer.

The interview is two full days. The first is one group interview discussing current events in the industry. The second day was an individual interview with department chairs and professors.

They asked about 5 questions that related to how well I would be able to do my job as an RA. The questions were about my previous experiences. The interview was with an RD or ARD and potentially some RAs from their cluster.

Applied online and was contacted a week later to do a zoom interview with 8 people. Most of the people in the interview were there under obligation and had zero to do with the position or would have been working with the EA. They all looked super bored and unfriendly. They were there to ask a generic question, say thank you and that was it. Very negative atmosphere. Zero conversation or any information about the position or office culture. Didn't get the position but would not have wanted to work with such a miserable group of individuals anyway. Not one person smiled during the one hour we were on video.

Went in for one in person interview. Was given no directions to the building or where to park. The first interviewer didn't have any questions prepared and when I would say something or answer a question, the response was 'ok' after every single thing I said and that was it. I didn't even get to interview with the person the job would have been supporting even though I was scheduled to because something had some up on their schedule. Very unorganized. It was a huge waste of time.

The position was master's level. The interview process was quite succinct - why I am interested in the job, how my qualifications align with the role, then some chat about the field.

They asked a few questions and the answers I gave were pretty basic. She asked if I could manage my classes on top of the TA job and if I could show up every class, I promptly said yes and she said the job was mine.