CAREER

these should be classes you know they expect you to teach. One course should be unique to your strengths and research that
other candidates would not be able to offer. Some campus interviews include a sample lecture instead of or in addition to
a job talk. Find out if this will be presented to an actual class or to a group of faculty. You may be asked to teach a class as part
of your interview process.
General Academic Interviewing Tips
• Mock interviewing within your department: Ask several faculty members to interview you as if it were a conference interview
and then give you feedback.
• CCE offers mock interviews with feedback. Utilize CCE for practice on presenting your dissertation research to those both
familiar and unfamiliar with your field.
• Remember that the interviewers are interested in who you are as a scholar, teacher, and colleague, so be able to convey all
three dimensions through highlighting the following:
º The trajectory of your work and specific ideas for future projects
º Published conference paper(s), article(s), and/or chapter(s)
º Grant(s) awarded (and have ideas for how you will obtain future funding, particularly if you are in
the sciences)
º Syllabi prepared for course(s) specific to the needs of the department and student workload expected from
that institution. You may also be asked what texts you would use to teach a given course, so be prepared
to discuss this issue.
• Keep in mind that the interview is a dialogue. Show interest in and the ability to intelligently discuss the faculties’ lines of
research, current projects, etc.
• The best interviews result in the department concluding that you represent a significant intellectual resource, a collegial
addition to their staff, and a good fit for the department.
• Address everyone in the room (i.e., do not focus all of your attention on one person).
• Always send a thank you note to your interviewers at each stage of this process.
• Keep in mind the kinds of equipment/facilities that you will require for your research and be certain that you know the
specifics about usage and time (e.g., animal facilities).
• Take backups if you plan to use handouts or PowerPoint slides.
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Char Smullyan
Char Smullyan