ASPIRE Mock Interview Day April 25, 2024
Priority application deadline: Wednesday, January 3 at noon
(Applications will be accepted through March 6)
Back again for its 3rd year, this event will provide biomedical PhD students and postdocs the opportunity to practice their interview skills with employers and alumni, (including faculty, if appropriate), and receive valuable feedback. Each participant will have up to 4 mock interviews, each lasting about 30 minutes.
Mock interviewers will represent a range of nonacademic and academic careers. Nonacademic fields represented include – but are not limited to – data science, medical science liaisons, clinical research, start-ups, medical communications, nonprofits, and industry. Academic careers represented include research/program administration (e.g. VICTR) and staff scientist roles, as well as postdoc positions and teaching- or research-focused faculty positions.
As part of the application for this event, you will need to specify your career interests so we can try to schedule your mock interviews with alumni/employers from appropriate career fields.
APPLY TODAY!
Early application is encouraged in order to plan for participation in ASPIRE sessions to adequately prepare for the Mock Interview Day event, and to qualify for the Interview Readiness Microcredential
CV/Resume preparation and ASPIRE events participation
Once accepted for this event, you will be asked to provide a current copy of your resume or CV. This CV or resume will need to be formatted according to the standards of the industry you are most interested in, as these will be shared with the interviewers before the event. For example, if you submit an academic research CV, but indicate you are interested in applying for a medical science liaison position, we will ask you to submit a resume instead. To assist with this process, and to help prepare for the Mock Interview Day event applicants are strongly encourage to attend the following ASPIRE sessions:
January 11, 2024: ASPIRE Job Search Series: Resumes/Industry CVs, 11am, Light Hall 411
February 8, 2024: ASPIRE Job Search Series: Interviewing 101, 11am, Light Hall 411
February 22, 2024: ASPIRE Job Search Series: Behavioral Interviewing, Light Hall 411
Attendance at these events, a kick off event on interviewing held on March 28th (more info to come!), participating CV/resume review with ASPIRE, and participating in ASPIRE Mock Interview Day will earn you a microcredential in Interview Readiness.
Eligibility
This event is for Vanderbilt and VUMC PhD students or postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences.
- PhD students must have passed their qualifying exams before the the application deadline
- Preference will be given to PhD students affiliated with a School of Medicine or VUMC department or program, students affiliated with an institutional training grant, and students who have been admitted through the IGP, QCB, or IMSD.
- This is a limited-capacity event open to both PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences. Preference will be given to individuals who are currently interviewing for positions, and to those who will finish their training at VU within the next 18 months.
Mock Interview Day – Key Dates & Deadlines
January 3 – Priority Application Deadline (gives priority in interview scheduling and enrollment in Interview Readiness Microcredential)
March 6 – Final Application Deadline
March 10 – Applicants notified of their acceptance for mock interview day
March 28 – Interviewing readiness event
April 8 – Revised CV/resumes due (if requested)
April 11 – Participants receive names/titles of individuals with whom they will be interviewing and example job descriptions for typical positions within the career field.
April 25 – MOCK INTERVIEW DAY
Questions? Please contact BRET Office of Career Development Assistant Director Angela Zito (angela.zito@vanderbilt.edu)