one-on-one support
Waiting to Get Your Dissertation Accepted?
Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 04:33 am
Interviewing for an academic job is exciting. You have made it through the hundreds of CVs that were submitted and now you have been contacted for an interview. In this article, I’ll go over what you can expect during the academic job interview process, and give you some sound advice for how to master it.
Preparing for an Academic Job Interview
Really, it is more like two interviews. After the CVs are reviewed, many schools now conduct and initial, 30 minute or so, interview at an academic meeting. So, if you are lucky (and well-qualified), you will end up with both interviews.
Always dress professionally for your interviews. They may be in jeans and t-shirts (I doubt it) but you want to impress them. This may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people forget it.
Tips for the Initial Professor Interview
Academic or professor interviews are often held at academic conferences. As one of thousands attending a major national academic meeting, getting around can be confusing. Several different hotels can be involved and there can be a lot of walking.
Know Where You’re Going
My first tip is to scope out the room ahead of time so that you know where it is and how long it will take you to get there. Remember, the elevators can be really slow between sessions and at lunch time. Arrive with plenty of time to spare.
You will most likely be met at the door by a member of the search committee and escorted to a chair where you will usually be interviewed by three of more people (the room is usually a suite so you will not be meeting in a strange person’s small hotel room).
Typically, they will have a list of questions and each person will be assigned certain questions.
Prepare for Interview Questions
Here are some examples of common questions in academic job interviews.
- What courses have you taught?
- Have you been completely responsible for a class, including choosing a book?
- Where are you in the dissertation process (if you haven’t completed your dissertation yet), and when do you expect to finish?
- What type of publishing have you done/will you do?
- How do you feel about service?
- What percentage of research, teaching, and service would your ideal job have?”
Do Your Research
Before your academic job interview, do your research and know what type of position you are interviewing for and what the school expects as far as teaching, research, and service go. If your ideal job is working in a lab and they want a teacher, then maybe you should think of another school.
Remember, the committee will be in that room for at least two days and will most likely interview 20 or more people. Many potential professors interview at this stage. Answer their questions, know about their geographic area (don’t ask about the surfing in Iowa) and be professional. Let the committee generate any humor, as more often than not, jokes can fall flat.
Mastering the Campus Interview
If you are called for a campus interview, you are most likely one of the top three candidates. This means a trip to the school’s campus and probably two days of interviews. This will be a long trip; be prepared and rest before you go.
Make Appropriate Travel Arrangements
Make the travel arrangements with the school as quickly as you can. Try to accommodate their schedule as much as possible. They may only have a small window of dates and times when all necessary parties are on campus.
However, no need to make plans that are not good for you. I would not suggest to agreeing to take a redeye flight followed by an interview 90 minutes after your arrival. Avoid stepping into a professor interview looking like a student who woke up ten minutes before class.
Your Interview Starts When You Get off the Plane
When you arrive you will most likely be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel. Your interview starts the moment you are greeted at the airport, so be ready.
Schools are trying to impress you as well, so they put you in the best hotel that their budget and the time of year allows.
Unless the room is unsanitary, accept the room. I know of a situation where a candidate requested an upgraded room to have a better view. While it might be nice, it labeled this person as difficult and he did not get an offer.
The Meal is Also an Interview
The next step is usually a meal. You will be accompanied to every meal, which means that you are being observed, or interviewed.
As a caution, try to avoid eating messy food. For example, ribs may not be a good choice.
I was told of a candidate once who ordered two lunches so that he could take the leftovers back with him. I’m not sure what he did with the food during the rest of his interview. Do your best to make sure that your eating habits are not what the school remembers about you.
Over the course of the two days, three major things usually happen.
1. Meeting with faculty members and administrators one-on-one
I would suggest a list of questions that you ask everyone to see how consistent the answers are. I usually like to ask people if there are any questions that I should have asked. This allows them to open up more. At one school where I interviewed three different people told me that I should not accept a job at the school. That was a lot of useful information. I did not go to work there.
2. Presenting your research
Consider this a conference presentation. Be prepared, be professional and realize that some people may ask questions just to show you how smart they are. Answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. They are trying to see the depth of your research and if it fits in with the type of research that is being done at the school.
3. Teaching a class
Finally, many schools now ask you to teach a class during the on campus interview. Choose a topic that you know well and that you can make interesting for students. The students that attend your “lecture” will most likely be asked their opinion. Getting a positive review from them will be in your favor.
The End of the Academic Job Interview
Usually towards the end of your visit you will meet with the Dean or maybe the Provost. They will not know a lot about you, but they may be the ultimate decision makers. As usual, be polite and ask them big picture questions as they may be in the best position to answer you.
After the two days are over you will be taken to the airport (assuming you had to fly) and you can head home. Now you can relax, wear any clothes that you want, and eat all the ribs you desire.
I suggest writing a follow up email thanking your hosts for the visit and letting them know that you are available to answer any questions.
Summary
If you make it past the CV review stage, you will be interviewed. Be aware of what the school stands for, their expectations, and the work that the existing faculty has done. And be on your best behavior. Show them how good you are at all phases of the potential job and how lucky they will be to hire you.
Want to nail your interview? I offer one-on-one coaching and support for those seeking an academic job.
