My interview was somewhat different from what I expected, but I think it went well regardless.
The interviewer started with questions to see how I react when put on the spot or potentially made uncomfortable. I had heard this sort of thing happening so this part didn't surprise me. If I remember correctly, his first question was "Are you angry with your parents?" The most odd one he asked was "Who will stand up for the rights of the straight white male plumbers?" That one did catch me a little off guard as it was so specific and unusual. I think I answered alright though.
The rest of the interviews was what was unexpected. He didn't really have many questions to ask me. I even commented that I feel he didn't ask many questions that would allow him to get a better idea of who I am. He had evidently read my application (including autobiography and motivation) in depth and he didn't seem to want that much more info. I'm sure he was analysing everything that happened during the interview though.
Since he had so few questions we ended the questions part early. Instead he gave me feedback on my application and then we just chatted about the stuff I was interested in doing and psychology in general. I'm sure that also gave him a better idea of who I am.
His feedback on my application was both positive and negative. He said, in his words, that my application was strong and there was nothing missing from it. However, he said I was unlikely to get in because I am too young. He did encourage me to keep on applying until eventually my age won't be an issue. A current masters student I spoke to said he got in at 24 and two other students got in at age 22, so he disagrees with that. The interviewer also said that, to a lesser degree, being a white woman will count against me. He said they try take a diverse group and since there are so may young white women applying the odds are against me. This is all stuff I have heard before. I do wonder if maybe we was interested in seeing how I reacted to being told I was unlikely to get in. If that is the case I'm sure my response was fine. I understand and accept the reality of the situation and will just keep trying till I get in.
Overall I think the interview went well. I left feeling positive.
Tuesday's role play
The role play was the only part of this process that made me feel nervous and worried. I don't have training in counselling, with the exception of HIV pre- and post-test counselling which is totally different, so I am at a disadvantage here. Also, performing an unfamiliar test while being observed and judged by a panel is anxiety provoking in itself. Especially when so much rests on it! Despite this, I felt it went really well. I got lots of good feedback from the panel and I was probably harder on myself than they were.
Now that this is out the way and it went well, I'm not stressed for anything. I really don't mind interviews, and I am usually quite confident for them. There is just one more interview before they decide on who goes to the final stage of selection (50% of the current applicants). If I get into the final phase then I have a panel interview.
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