Preparing for the Interview

1. ASA Employment Service

• Speed-dating
• Testing the market
• Networking

2.The Phone Interview

• Learn names of faculty and teaching/research specialties off the web
• Find out who will be present for the phone interview
• If it is a conference call, don’t let lag and confusion throw you off
• The task is to get them to put you on the “short-short” list for an on-site interview
• Learn from your mistakes so you can be polished for the job you really want

3.The On-Campus Interview

• Preparation
  • Get location specific advice on job talk
  • Research the faculty to prep for meetings
  • Prepare talk, practice, practice, practice!

• Travel
  • Try to get an itinerary in advance, be flexible and adjustable
  • Take carry-on items in case your luggage is lost
  • Pack sensible clothes and shoes for walking around campus
  • Overdress is better than underdress
  • Pack high energy snacks
  • Keep room on your credit card to pay for your trip (and then be reimbursed)
  • Have backups for important items such like your presentation files

• Interview will typically last 1-2 days
  • Meet with search committee, dept chair, dean/provost, faculty, and/or students
  • Give a formal presentation and/or teach a class
  • Tour campus facilities and town

• You are always being interviewed, even at social occasions
  • Collegiality is gauged at meals, as are your general views of the world
  • Refrain from drinking alcohol
  • Be polite and use professional titles unless invited to be less formal
  • Don’t overlook the influence of secretaries and students

• Prepare both questions and answers
  • An honest answer is often the best answer
  • It is also your opportunity to learn your future colleagues
  • Be a good listener
  • Be ready to answer the “ABD” question
  • Handle illegal questions gracefully. Search committees are not always skilled at interviewing.  Assume their questions come from a spirit of goodwill.

• Be yourself and enjoy the process