Humanities. Passed my viva with no corrections. Emotionally drained, happy nonetheless.

Dear colleagues,

As I am in the process of viva preparation - I wonder how do you suppose to answer those generic viva questions like the impact of your work, the choice of the theory, or the case selection criteria.

In replying to them, can you basically quote your own text from the thesis, since these issues are usually well covered in the dissertation? Or paraphrase yourself? Or are you perhaps expected to produce a somewhat broader answer?

Thank in advance!

Thanks a lot, these are quite interesting!

Thanx, TreeofLife and SimonG, for your very informative replies.

For a non-academic path, sometimes a position would need to be occupied before an expected "viva + correction" period, so I wonder how an HR department deals with all the outcomes possible there.

And, TreeofLife, I would not agree that the ABD comes closest to the inbetween a submission and a viva, since, according to wiki, an ABD status implies that there is still a need in a dissertation to be written(!): "To complete the degree, the student must carry out the proposed research and write the dissertation that defines a PhD or equivalent research doctorate."

I'd appreciate some more input, if possible, I think this will benefit the forum in general. Thanks!

Dear Colleagues,

I have recently submitted, and looking for a job (non-academic one).

One question in relation to job application.

As those who are in limbo between submission and viva, can we apply for jobs that require a PhD? There is still a viva ahead, after all.

Also, how to indicate your current status in HR terms, especially in pre-designed on line application drop down lines? The American "all but dissertation" is not really an appropriate definition, is it.

Thanks a lot, and good luck with your theses!