Tips for a Successful Campus Interview

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Tips for a Successful Campus Interview

• Perspectives from a recent interviewer and
  interviewee

Sherry Larkin Associate Professor
Kim Morgan Assistant Professor
AAEA 29 July 2008
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Positive State of Mind

• You made the short list! Congratulations
• On paper you have what it takes
• Trust what you know
• Say it with conviction
• Discuss enthusiastically

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1. Know the people, especially those on your
schedule

• Index cards (name, alma mater, research focus)

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2. Dress appropriately, even if they interview
you in jeans and shorts

• Convey that you will always be a good ambassador

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3. Present your best research, regardless of the
appointment

• The seminar is the most important part of your
  interview nail it

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4. Regardless of the appointment or location,
apply if the area fits

• Appointments can be changed

Its a small profession
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5. Find out the history behind the position

• Know the impetus and the players

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6. Grill the chair/head

• Find out how the department works from their
  perspective

Find out where they are in the search process
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7. Identify at least one tenured individual you
can envision cooperating with before you go

• Discuss what opportunities they think might fit
  you if you got the job

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8. If you will have a teaching component, find
out details

• The myopic gratification is addictive, but does
  not add incrementally to tenure

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9. If you get the offer, consider the entire
package

• Understand all benefits

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10. No matter the appointment, grant money and
journal articles are important

• Grant money and journal articles are important 

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11. Explore the potential spin of any
opportunity

• At first glance, grants/committees may not be
  what they seem you are what you make of them

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12. Say nothing negative about anything or anyone
period

• Nod be trustworthy when confronted with such
  comments

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13. Try to avoid talking about your personal life
during this time

• Be selfish, do you want these people as your
  second family?

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Epilogue

• Learn something from each position you apply for
• Dont take it personally if you are not selected!

Sherry Larkin Associate Professor
Kim Morgan Assistant Professor
AAEA 29 July 2008
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Miscellaneous

• Be able to briefly summarize your research
  what/why/how (30 sec.)
• Convey vision and flexibility
• Strive for collegiality/dialogue brief answers
  are good for court, not here
• Convey a sense that you are (1) gaining momentum,
  (2) self-sufficient, and (3) are an effective
  teacher/mentor
• Keep track of any promises
• Watch coffee/alcohol consumption, ask for water
  before seminar

AAEA 29 July 2008