Job Interviewing
Experiences
November 7, 2003
Prepared by Phil
Clark
On November 7th Professor Mike Oehrtman and Dr.
Rama Chidambaram shared their experiences of their recent job hunts.
The session was very informal with everyone sitting in the
lounge facing each other. Mike
spoke first allowing for questions both during and after his talk.
Rama followed Mike adding to some things he said.
Some of the key points brought up by the two speakers are listed below.
Important considerations when looking for a job
- Contacts
- Know
people at schools you are interested in
- Know
how you will work with other individuals prospective schools
- Meet
them at conferences
- Look
for mentoring relationships
- Curriculum
Vitae
- Always
keep it updated
- Always
have extra copies on you
- Where
to find jobs
- AMS
listings
- AMS
joint meetings
- Chronicle
Website
- Try
to get multiple day interviews so you are not rushed
Why they chose their respective school
- Knew
people in the department as well as other departments
- Good
working relationships
- Wife
was able to get employment at University as well
- Be
in a math department
- Wanted
a math department that is associated with business
What to expect at a campus visit
- Talk
about research
- Visit
with chair and dean
- Group
interview with search committee
- Teach
a class
- Faculty
act as students (sometimes)
- Ask
questions
- Be
prepared
- Use
web to find out about department and people you will be meeting with
- Find
out who will attend talk/teaching session
Importance of joint meetings
- Give
talk year you are applying
- Meet
people from schools you are applying to
- Give
interviews to schools you have applied to and schools you have not
- Bring
extra copy of curriculum vitae
What to do after the interview
- Call
if you are still waiting for a decision
- If
offer comes but you are still waiting for a preferred school ask the former
school for more time and the latter to rush
- Once
offer is received negotiate salary and start up money
- Start
up money is money to get your research going
- It
comes from the university (typically) so don’t be afraid to ask for a
lot
- Can
get money for new computer, travel and other necessities
- If
you accept offer you can still turn it down but this is frowned upon