Introductions 

Dr. Marjorie Zatz, Associate Dean of the Graduate College

Preparing for the Interview & Campus Visit

Dr. Carmen Garcia-Fernandez

What do employers look for?

• clear organization of papers
• How does person's training fit needs of position.
• classroom experience in field (specific)
• extracurricular activities
• publications (depending on position)
• Who has candidate been working with?

Interview

• Be on time.
• Talking too little or too much is not good.

Dr. Jeff MacSwan

Interview

• Dress appropriately.

Employer (ASU) is looking for promise of national and international recognition.

• participation at conferences
• publications
• You must make argument that you are a good fit:  Letter of application should address all of required (or desired, if possible) qualifications.

Do your homework about job, institution, department.

• Use internet to find out about people who will interview you.  (You can ask who is on committee when you are invited.)

Telephone (pre)interviews and initial interviews at conferences.

• You may be asked "What questions do you have for us?"

Ask "What support system do you have for untenured faculty (to help them obtain tenure)?"

Dr. Marjorie Zatz

Read job description carefully -- Only apply for positions that match your qualifications or/and mentor can help to establish contacts.
Application packet.

• letter -- dissertation, advisor
• teaching -- classes that you have taught
• PFF experience
• publications
• languages that you speak
• statement of research interests
• teaching portfolio
• syllabi
• evaluations
• teaching philosophy
• copies of publications

Reference Letter:

Should be tailored to the place.
Give enough time for it.
Get a new one.

• Can ask to modify an old one a little to update.
• In general, old one (e.g., five years old) might not count much.  Employer would be much more interested in what you have done after then.  An exception would be that it was written by a very well known scalar.

Who to ask?

• someone who knows you personally.

detailed and formative letter -- explaining why your are outstanding (A simple statement such as "This person is an outstanding student" is not impressive.)

• a person well known
• a good writer  --  Even a well known person might not write an effective letter.
• the person not necessarily has to be in the committee  -- If it is a good letter, one extra good letter is good.

Interview: Lisa Pray, Curriculum & Instruction

The setting -- Applying for a research #1 university; but, teaching is also an important part of the job.
Starting with a chit-chat,

Q:  What kind of research?  --  brief explanation of the dissertation research,
Q:  Theoretical foundation/framework for the research? --  explanation,

and some more questions/answers about the research follow.  Then

Q: (always asked)  Why this university? -- enthusiastic response:  great research, the best institution, etc.
Q: (always the last question)   Do you have any question?  --  What kind of support and help would be there?

In total 6 to 10 questions.
Suggestions added:

• Possible questions to ask
• What course would I be teaching?
  
• Working environment?  (e.g., What is the norm, work at home or at school?)


• What direction the department is going in the next, say, five years
• Do not assume that the interviewer read and remember all you have written.  Provide enough explanation.
• Do not say "I found out" your school to be great.  Indicate that everyone knows the school's great reputation.

Questions & Comments

Telephone interview

• Not every but some institutions do this.
• Choose the place beforehand: office, home, etc., depending on the availability of resources, how comfortable you feel, so on.
• Usually, three to four people interview you at the same time.
• Hard since you cannot see the reactions.
  
• Keep the names straight. -- Ex.  Get the photos of the interviewer from Web, put them on stuffed bears.  Take the interview facing the bears.
• Prepare many questions, because the last question would be "Do you have any question?"
• Do not take the interview without preparation.  Find an excuse to schedule it (e.g., have to consult with the committee, have to go to class, and so on).
  

Campus visit

• Have a good sleep and be in a good shape before the visit.
• Bring a food/drink with you.  (No time to really eat, answering many questions during the meal.)
• At the interview:
• Bring notes and ask for time to look at it before you answer a question.
• Write down questions and what they say.
• Treat each question with profound respect. If you do not understand the question, ask them ("Can you elaborate?", "Can you give me an example?").
• Dress comfortably and look professional.
• When grad students are there, do not forget that they do not see you as a peer, but are there to evaluate you. Be prepared to talk about what you can do as a mentor.
• Ask for itinerary in advance.
• At the presentation:
• State, at the beginning. how your presentation will go.
• Choose the way that is comfortable to you.