Tips for a Successful Tips for a Successful Campus InterviewCampus Interview

Perspectives from a recent Perspectives from a recent interviewer and intervieweeinterviewer and interviewee

Sherry LarkinAssociate Professor

Kim MorganAssistant Professor

AAEA

29 July 2008

Positive State of MindPositive State of Mind

You made the short list! Congratulations

On paper you have what it takesTrust what you knowSay it with conviction

Discuss enthusiastically

AAEA

29 July 2008

1. Know the people, especially those on your schedule

Index cards (name, alma mater, research focus)

AAEA

29 July 2008

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

shorts

Convey that you will always be a good ambassador

AAEA

29 July 2008

3. Present your best research, regardless of the appointment

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

AAEA

29 July 2008

4. Regardless of the appointment or location, apply

if the area fits

Appointments can be changed

It’s a small profession

AAEA

29 July 2008

5. Find out the history behind the position

Know the impetus and the players

AAEA

29 July 2008

6. Grill the chair/head

Find out how the department works from their perspective

Find out where they are in the search process

AAEA

29 July 2008

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

AAEA

29 July 2008

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

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

AAEA

29 July 2008

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

Understand all benefits

AAEA

29 July 2008

10. No matter the appointment, grant money and journal

articles are important

Grant money and journal articles are important 

AAEA

29 July 2008

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

12. Say nothing negative about anything or anyone – period

Nod; be trustworthy when confronted with such comments

AAEA

29 July 2008

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

time

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

AAEA

29 July 2008

EpilogueEpilogue

Learn something from each position you apply for

Don’t take it personally if you are not selected!

Sherry LarkinAssociate Professor

Kim MorganAssistant Professor

AAEA

29 July 2008

• 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

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

AAEA

29 July 2008