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Faculty Search: Perspectives of the Search Committee

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Nine person search committee, split into three working groups: 380 total applications ... Do not fluff with 'in preparation' or multiple 'submitted' papers ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Faculty Search: Perspectives of the Search Committee


1
Faculty SearchPerspectives of the Search
Committee
D. W. Hahn Mechanical Aerospace
Engineering University of Florida
2
Some numbers
  • MAE faculty search (August 2006 May 2007)
  • Nine person search committee, split into three
    working groups
  • 380 total applications
  • 30 telephone interviews
  • 12 campus interviews (1/3 originated with
    networking)
  • 5 offers made
  • 3 offers accepted

Get in line!
3
How to standout Application package
  • Time and numbers work against you
  • Must follow the instructions to the letter.
  • State the position!
  • Customize your cover letter
  • How you specifically meet stated Department needs
  • Specify faculty names or existing Centers
  • How do you complement or open new areas of
    opportunity
  • Emphasize proposal writing experience (be
    specific, dont overstate)
  • For each task in your research plan, list
    specific funding agencies
  • Specific calls or program managers
  • Identify your CAREER proposal
  • Be creative
  • Make every word count
  • Lean and mean

4
CV turn-offs (my opinion!)
  • Your CV is an important document for assessment
  • Publications list is important!
  • Do not fluff with in preparation or multiple
    submitted papers
  • If necessary, add a second category
  • Do not fail to list a reference from each
    significant appointment
  • Post-doc supervisor
  • Summer spent at another institution
  • Significant job experience
  • Your advisor!
  • Spelliing and grammar misstakes!
  • Provide accurate contact information
  • Be professional on voice mail

5
The phone interview
  • Make this your priority, offer wide flexibility
    with scheduling
  • Be enthusiastic, but also professional
  • Dont be surprised to get phone interview offer
  • Convey your interest in that University
  • Ask who is expected to participate in the phone
    interview
  • Do your homework
  • During call, make quick notes to assign voices to
    names
  • Teaching will come up
  • Be ready to name specific courses from their
    catalog
  • Have a list of questions ready to go
  • Be prepared to fill any silent moments
  • Form questions as the interview moves forward

6
The campus interview
  • The numbers are still not in your favor
  • Preparation, preparation, preparation!
  • Be very familiar with the Department
  • Teaching and research
  • Dont be too obvious!
  • The seminar is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
  • Technical depth with one problem, not overview
  • First few and last few slides are important.
    Frame problem
  • make it interesting with some creative visuals
  • One slide future directions, but not a research
    proposal
  • Dont talk about your CV
  • Not polite to discuss money in public
  • We know you are applying for a job
  • Your interview does NOT stop until you get on the
    plane
  • Follow up with thank you notes (e-mail is fine)
  • and questions if you have any

7
Other perspectives
  • Show strong commitment and desire for an
    opportunity in Academia
  • Show a strong commitment to teaching excellence.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of funding agencies
    and how they operate.
  • Prepare an excellent seminar (be rehearsed keep
    track of time have content that is focused
    rather than a summary of many different topics)
  • Have a reasonable plan on how to launch a
    research program from scratch (start up dollars?)

8
Other perspectives
  • Clearly present the direction and future vision
    of their research program
  • What equipment and resources do they require
    immediately?
  • The candidate needs to do considerable advance
    homework, i.e. obtain the list of people that
    they will meet during their interview and learn
    about their expertise  
  • For seminar, technical depth is more important
    than breadth
  • Dont worry if some members of the audience
    become lost because they dont share the same
    level of knowledge of the topic  
  • Give a good general overview that identifies the
    significance of the research, dive in and provide
    the details, and then wrap up by showing why your
    approach and work is significant

9
Odds and ends
  • The search committee does not discuss salary nor
    negotiate start-up packages. However, be
    prepared to discuss your plan and needs.
  • It is okay to ask when you might expect to hear
    back.
  • It is okay to tell us you have other job
    interviews if it comes up.
  • Schools will cover your travel expenses. They
    should bring that up, but if they dont, feel
    free to bring it up as you move forward. 
  • We cant ask about spouses, but we are happy to
    discuss if you bring it up. Asking about your
    spouses needs shows interest.
  • An interview is an investment on our part. If
    means we are interested in you! Try to relax and
    enjoy the process.
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