The interview process was an informal and comfortable one — where the potential employee (student) feels safe. First, the interview process cannot happen in the absence of prior signaling of research and analytical skills the hirer (individual faculty, in this case) deems qualifiable for such assistantship. Second, the interview is more likely to ever occur after *you* have signaled to the hirer that you have an interest in working with them. When both conditions have worked out, the faculty calls for a "discussion" to understand interests and reasons of the student to work with them and on the subject concerned. This would usually happen in their offices over a period of an hour or so.

One interview with a panel of three lab workers after a 30 minute phone call. Was a mix of technical questions and my personal interest in the job. Interview for lab based position.