BeforetheInterview

Before the Interview Do Your Homework Prior to any kind of interview, a job candidate must do homework to perform well.  Learn as much as possible about the department and institution with which you will interview.  For teaching positions, do not neglect to learn about the student body.  Doing your homework will take at least some of the mystery out of the process, and it will relieve some stress.   You will be able to ask good questions and thoroughly evaluate (and argue for) your fit only if you know something about the context you would be fitting into.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with the work of the department’s faculty, their subfields, the courses they teach, and their other professional activities.  Also review the institution’s mission, history, philosophy, strategic plan, programs and services, and so on, to identify its priorities and “brand.”  Look for recurring key words and phrases.  Much information can be gleaned online, of course, at the institution’s website.  Review the degree programs (undergraduate, graduate, professional) and course catalog to get a sense of the institution’s breadth and priorities.  You may wish to consult the , where many institutions feature their own profiles written for the job-seeking audience.  You may also find valuable information from the institution’s Office of Admission and Office of Institutional Research (otherwise called Institutional Assessment or Institutional Data) if it is available online.  Do some digging on the website.  To view examples, visit the U.Va. , , and . As a general starting point, you may want to explore some or all of the following sample questions:  What are the institution’s mission, goals, and “brand”? What is the size and composition of the student body/faculty?  How big is the department?  Who are the faculty, how prolific are they, and what are their scholarly interests?  Is there anything special about the department’s history? What are the institution’s strengths and weaknesses?  Are some programs ranked more highly than others?  If so, which ones? What is the organizational structure of the institution?  Who are the key leaders (e.g. president, chancellor, provost, dean, department head)? What is the institution’s history?  Historic landmarks?  Athletic programs? What issues or current/recent events have grabbed the attention of the campus community? Are there programs or other institutional efforts outside the department in which you could play a role (e.g. interdisciplinary centers, study abroad, intra-institutional collaborations)? What facilities and resources exist to support faculty teaching and research? Is the campus on a semester or quarter system? Prepare and Practice Before you interview for a job, know in advance what points you want to make about your fit with the position.  Do not depend on the interviewers to draw these out.  Sometimes interviewers are inexperienced at interviewing, and in any event, you want to play an active role in the process—not a passive one.  You should prepare for frequently asked .  This effort is essential to performing well.  There is no excuse for not thinking about your answers in advance.  Practice them—preferably with someone else—to ensure that you can present your ideas clearly without rambling or getting off track.  Take care not to sound scripted.  Know by heart all materials you submitted with your application.  If asked to clarify a point you made in your teaching statement, for example, you would not want to have to refresh your memory on the spot. In the interview you will need to address your 1) research accomplishments, 2) research plans, future interests, 3) interest in the institution (less of an issue for highly competitive institutions), 4) fit with the position, department, and institution, and 5) your teaching.  Think R.I.F.T. Generally speaking, research institutions will focus attention on your research, and teaching institutions on your teaching.  You should always, however, be prepared to discuss both when interviewing for a teaching faculty position.  Prepare to give two spiels about your research: for people in your field, and for educated people outside of it.  Prepare short versions (a.k.a. elevator speeches, about 1 minute) and longer versions (about 3-5 minutes).  Be sure that these explanations address what your research accomplishes, why it is important and interesting, and how it relates to other work or might lead to future investigation.  Be prepared to discuss the future direction of your research after the publication of your dissertation.  Nothing need be definite, but you should convince your audience that you are thinking ahead.  The committee will like ideas that do not simply extend your thesis work.  This discussion may include plans for applying for grant funding, collaborating with others in your field, and so on.  In discussing what you would bring to the position, especially your teaching, think in terms of specifics.  Be prepared to discuss your teaching methods, your use of technology in the classroom, how you approach diversity, etc.  Visit the for helpful resources and guidance.  As always, keep the needs and mission of the department and institution in mind.  Seize every opportunity to practice your interviewing and presentation skills.  Your department may arrange mock interviews for graduate students on the academic market.  Take advantage.  You may also conduct a mock interview at any time of the year with a graduate career adviser at GSAS Career Services.  Although this mock interview service is not discipline specific, it helps with many of the common interviewing challenges that job candidates face.  To request a mock interview with GSAS Career Services, call 434-243-4014.  You will need to provide copies of your CV, cover letter, and a job announcement at least 3 days in advance. Also be certain to rehearse your .  Some academic departments coordinate brown-bag meetings or symposia where graduate students can present their work to a departmental audience.  Do not let nerves get the better of you here.  Students who participate in these public speaking opportunities fare far better on the job market than those who do not.  If your department does not arrange such events, speak with your adviser, who may have alternative ideas. Dress Everything is a text.  Keep in mind that how you groom and dress yourself sends a message to others.  There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to dressing for academic interviews; fortunately, you need not borrow a snappy power suit from one of your rich friends working on Wall Street.  Cultures vary from one academic field to the next, but observance of some basic customs conveys that you respect the interview process.  Following are general recommendations: Always go for a professional look.  This usually includes something with a jacket.  Think in terms of the best dressed faculty member in your department.  How would she or he dress to give a conference talk? Wear comfortable shoes but not sneakers.  You will probably be walking a lot. Reserve your best attire for the job talk and search committee meeting. Avoid overdoing accessories, jewelry, make-up, etc. that detract.  Exercise good hygiene.  Hair and nails should be clean and neat.  Clothes should be pressed and well-tailored.  Avoid perfume and cologne. Remember that every moment of interaction is part of the interview and dress accordingly (e.g. something comfortable but not sloppy for the airport pick-up). Carry your materials in a portfolio or briefcase, not a knapsack.  Carry as little as possible.