28-01-2013, 03:39 PM
Tips on the Interview Process
Tips on the Interview.pdf (Size: 65.47 KB / Downloads: 37)
Pre-Interview: Dos and Don’ts
• Do your homework.
• Practice your job talk (at least) twice.
• Make up a list of questions to ask (more later…).
• Be prepared.
– To explain your work to different audiences (more later…).
– To answer some tough questions from them (more later…).
• Bring a notebook (paper or electronic).
• Pack some presentable clothes and shoes you feel
comfortable walking and talking in. Think about the
location of the place.
More General Dos and Don’ts
• Show conviction, passion about something.
• Have an inner voice, a rudder that steers you. Know yourself.
• Show an interest in what people are saying, but
– Don’t try too hard to please.
– Don’t be too agreeable. Don’t be spineless. Stand up for what you
believe in.
• Listen carefully to what people are asking or saying before
answering questions or responding to comments.
• Don’t say anything stupid.
– If you don’t know anything about something don’t pretend that you do.
– Don’t talk off the cuff.
– Don’t be glib, especially with people you don’t know.
• Keep detailed notes (people’s names, impressions, etc.).
• Dress neatly.
Multiple Talks
• Have multiple versions of the talk in your head, for
different audiences and different durations.
– The one-hour job talk version.
– The technical one-on-one version.
– The dean/department head version.
– The elevator version(s)
• The “waiting for the Wean Hall elevator” version.
• The ride up/down the elevator version.
• Refresh your job talk from time to time. It’s going to
get stale.
With the Department Head (or Dean)
Statistics, financial matters, and procedures.
• Find out about
– Facts about the place
– Evaluation and promotion processes
– How faculty are funded for research
– Any special research support for junior faculty
– Role of junior faculty in getting research money (NSF,
DARPA)
– View on collaboration
– Teaching load
– Computing facilities support: who buys, who maintains
– Benefits (health, dental, retirement, tuition exemption, etc.)
• With respect to you:
– How are hiring decisions made? (So you know when to
expect to hear from someone.)
Post-Interview
• Keep in touch with your host or department head.
• The chance to write a formal “thank you” is in the cover letter
when sending back your receipts for a reimbursement check.
• Use peoples’ names.
• Don’t pester people about status, but don’t let too much time go
by. (Show that you’re still interested, a “live” candidate.)