Clearly, a fellowship or major grant interview can have a profound effect on a researcher’s career. Thorough preparation is vital, and that means working on style as well as content.
The way candidates conduct themselves, present ideas and respond to questions has a powerful influence on the way they are perceived. Even an academic front-runner can come unstuck if he or she lacks physical and vocal presence. Assessment panels are often looking for leadership potential as well as academic distinction.
Fortunately, the communication skills that the strongest interviewees invariably display can be acquired through specialist coaching.
VOX has extensive experience of helping candidates prepare for this particular kind of scrutiny. We offer highly practical coaching that enables them to handle fellowship and grant interviews with greater confidence and to achieve a more positive impact.
The topics addressed in our interview training can be adjusted to suit particular needs. Generally they include the following topics:
- Principles of effective interviews
- Managing nerves and coping with pressure
- Achieving physical and vocal presence
- Engaging the interview panel
- Achieving clarity and impact
- Inspiring trust
- Responding convincingly to questions
Course participants learn how to remain confident and do themselves justice under interview conditions. They develop a clearer, more authoritative interview style that allows the strength of their ideas to shine through. It brings out the personal leadership qualities that assessment panels expect to see in high-fliers. Participants gain important side-benefits, too: the way they give lectures, make presentations and speak at meetings can all be transformed.
What our clients say
[The] interpretation of the brief, tailoring of content and varied delivery made for a productive and enjoyable event … I wouldn’t hesitate to use Pete or VOX again.
… an inspiring coach who makes an enduring difference to the way people communicate, lead and manage.
Participants find the sessions great fun, and at the same time are amazed at how blind they might have been to their own and others’ behaviours, be it in a meeting, or relationships with junior or senior colleagues.
I had a fantastic experience with VOX Coaching … in preparation for interviews for large grants from research councils. In simple words, without [their] help, it would have been very challenging to perform well at the interview.
Engaging, professional, dynamically responsive to clients’ needs. Well said and well done!
