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The
Job Interview
The
job interview is a vital component in the higher education job search.
Each discipline's approach to the candidate search varies. It is important
to investigate what the standard is for your discipline. There are however
a number of similarities among disciplines. The interviewing process can
include two steps, short informal interviews at meetings and the on-campus
interview. Though the meeting interviews may lead to an invitation to
campus, the critical stage in the hiring process is the on-campus interview.
If you are
still working on your dissertation, it is very important for you to have
a clear idea of when you will be completing your work. It is highly likely
you will be asked this question before any visit to campus is discussed.
Some schools will make this a condition of hire, and others may specify
a different appointment level if your work is not completed at the time
of hire.
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The
Meeting Interview
Many disciplines
hold annual meetings and may provide opportunities for interviewing at
these meetings. The level of support differs depending on the size, region,
and discipline. Large national meetings may have very formal services,
including a listing of available candidates and position openings, a site
for interviewing, and/or a message service for contacting schools and
candidates. At smaller meetings this may consist of a booklet listing
job openings and available candidates.
Most interviews
at meetings are short, usually less than a half hour. They are generally
conducted by one person or a very small departmental group. If you leave
a good impression on this group, you will most likely improve your possibilities
for an invitation for an on-campus interview. In order to prepare for
these interviews, you should have a good idea of answers to commonly asked
questions, bring multiple copies of your CV, and possibly a one- or two-page
summary of your dissertation.
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Commonly
Asked Questions:
- Could
you briefly describe your dissertation?
- What
do you feel are the contributions you have made to your field of study?
- What
interests do you currently have for future research?
- In
your teaching experience, what subject areas are you most comfortable
presenting?
- What
interests you about our institution?
- How
have your education and training prepared you for this position?
- In
what specific way will our institution benefit by hiring you?
- Who
has served as your source of inspiration? In what way has this guided
you?
- In
your opinion, what attributes make for the ideal educator?
- What
contributions have you made to publications in your field?
- What's
your idea of success?
- What
plan of action do you take when facing a tough problem?
- Do
you feel you would be able to take issue with your department chair
or a member of your department in presenting an opposing point of
view?
- What
do you think makes you unique, and how can this quality be utilized
by our institution?
- What
do you find most satisfying in academia? Most frustrating?
- What
was the toughest problem you had to solve?
- What
was your most important course in college?
Be certain
to allow adequate time between interviews if you are scheduling multiple
meetings. Some meetings may be scheduled during lunch or dinner. Be sure
to get all the information you are interested in about the school and
not concentrate too heavily on the food. Most importantly be sure to agree
to meet in an environment in which you will be comfortable. Sometimes
meetings are scheduled in hotel rooms. If you are not comfortable with
this, suggest meeting for coffee or in the hotel lobby instead. Also,
if you are asked to meet for drinks, it may be best to stick to soda,
or slowly sip one drink.
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The
On-Campus Interview
Most on-campus interviews are held in the spring. Interviews
are generally scheduled for two days. Your visit will most likely include
individual meetings with each faculty member and perhaps with some graduate
students. At a small liberal arts college you may meet with undergraduates
as well. Other meetings may also include a formal search committee interview
and a research presentation. In most situations you will also meet with
a dean or someone in a similar position.
There will
most likely be more less-formal opportunities to meet with faculty as
well, such as for meals or departmental social gatherings. These settings
give both you and the hiring institution an opportunity to evaluate each
other on a different more personal level. Therefore, be prepared for more
personal questions to be raised. In your preparation it is vital that
you learn as much as you can about the community.
For more details and
a more in-depth look at the academic job search, we suggest reading:
Getting An Academic
Job: Strategies for Success - Kronenfeld, Jennie Jacobs & Marcia
Lynn Whicker, Survivor Skills for Scholars, SAGE Publications, vol.
17, 1997.
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Web
page maintained by Ann Halbach
Send comments or questions to ah@education.wisc.edu
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