Is it a polite NO in the interview for PhD

[mgz]

Hi All,

 

I am new to the forum who is looking for a PhD in engineering.

 

I recently had 2 interviews last week. They were chats about the job and a question or two about my previous work. I was pretty confident at both interviews as I had worked in that field for my research and thesis. They were pretty friendly and complemented me on my presentation at one interview and my work in the other (as it was a telephonic interview). One of the interviews even said I put a lot of thought in the position.

 

Finally, both interviewers said, it is difficult to find the right candidates and if you do not get this position would you consider another position which should open up in 2-3 months once we get the funding from the government. I replied positively for both as they are in the similar field of research as for the position I applied initially.

 

My source of worry is whether the new positions opening up was a trick question or a polite structured manner of saying no to me for the position I applied initially. This has never happened to my colleagues or myself that I was told of a different position to consider than the initial one I applied.

 

Secondly I also told them that I was looking for PhD in other schools also. Their reply to this was ´We shall keep in touch and surely meet if we work in the same field´? I am perplexed with this thought ---- ÍF WE WORK IN IN THE SAME FIELD?´Is this saying that we shall not be working together.

 

I am extremely nervous as these the are areas of research I wanted to do since my teenage years.

 

I would really appreciate this help as I am unable to sleep and livid with myself for blowing up the interviews with chances to do what I dreamt for the last 10 years.

 

With regards

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Finally, both interviewers said, it is difficult to find the right candidates and if you do not get this position would you consider another position which should open up in 2-3 months once we get the funding from the government. I replied positively for both as they are in the similar field of research as for the position I applied initially.

 

Regarding just this bit: It's possible that this is about the funding and not about you. That is, a lot of PhD programs are dependent on grants and research money to pay for their students, and if they don't have enough money, they have to turn down perfectly good applicants. That's not a reflection on you, of course, just on how much money they're getting.

 

The fact that they offered you a position that may be getting funding soon hints that while they might not be able to afford to hire you now, they probably will be able to soon, and they're actually interested in doing so. So don't get too worried yet.

[swansont]

I was turned down for a postdoc because the position didn't get funded. Similar scenario, and it's not uncommon. The bit about "We shall keep in touch and surely meet if we work in the same field" probably isn't code for anything — if you work in that field, you will meet up with these people at conferences. It's consistent with "we haven't made up our mind yet," which would be true if they were interviewing candidates — they would interview them all before deciding on who to accept.

 

I'm curious, though — was this an interview for acceptance to graduate school, or with a specific professor to see if he was taking on new students?

[mgz]

Hi swansont

 

I was interviewed by professors. They were looking forward to take students for PhD projects in their research teams.

 

So basically u mean if they say they may have opportunities in the future, that means they are not lying and serious about their offer at that point in time.

 

As a Postdoc could you give me a slight idea if it was a good interview on my part to get compliments from the professors or not. I understand it is a bit difficult but can appreciate the help.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am really nervous here waiting for the Madrid heat of May to come when I here back from the professor.

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@Administrator, The thing is I am angry with myself about mentioning other interviews and doing a perfect interview only to blow it up in the end.

[ecoli]

This doesn't seem to be the way most PhD interviews usually work (you're taken in by a department, not individual professors). Where are you trying to go to school?

[mgz]

@Ecoli

 

It happened in Europe. Secondly yes I should be working in the department with the research team of the professor but I was only interviewed by the Professor (and his one student) and no one else on both occasions.

 

Everything was strange in the interview to be honest and I have been trying to find one thing or something that makes sense and help me soothe my fears and feel better.

 

Thanks

[mgz]

Hi All,

 

Thanks for the help. I am in a state of confusion now.

 

My professor from belgium told me he wants to recruit me but needs the approval of the company CEO because the project is in cloze collaboration for confidential project with the company and the grant is from them. Thisis my first priority of the PhD jobs.

 

However, as luck has it I had an interview with a company in Hamburg yesterday over the telephone and they r really interested in me and are willing to top the offer.

 

The problem is I only want the Belgian PhD but it is not confirmed yet and hence the offer from hamburg could come through. They will be paying my flight to Hamburg to sign the contract. I do not want to do that as I would take the Belgian job anyday. It is really confusing me whether I should refuse Hamburg without the Belgian offer or not. I do not want to impose on the hospiality of a company if I am not going to work there. And yes, I did already tell the company about my offer from belgium and they asked me to keep me updated from the front which is why I believe they are interested in me.

 

Any help or advice would be appreciated!!!

 

Thanks in advance