Program Overview
Mock Interview events 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 has the opportunity to engage in up to 4 mock interviews, each lasting about 45 minutes, scheduled during the week of the event.
Mock interviewers 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, as well as provide a copy of your resume/CV.
This event is offered biannually, with our next event to be held in spring 2028.
Eligibility Requirements
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 18 months of application.