PhD/PsyD On campus faculty interview...advice, stories, suggestions

[calimich]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've landed my first on campus interview for a TT faculty position and am looking to learn as much about the process as possible before the big day. The position is in a graduate department at a SLAC with approx 5000 students. It's also listed as a "College that changes lives." The interview is a 2-day event, with both a teaching demo and a research talk, 1 hour formal interviews each day with the search committee, campus and community tours, and the expected meetings with Deans, staff, and students.

Anyone care to share their on campus interview story? Or tales from the other side -- as a member of the search committee or other faculty as searches were taking place? Tips, things to avoid at all costs, memorable moments, fails...

If you've been involved with the process at a similar institution I'd really love to hear about your experience.

 

[deleted343839]

Congratulations! Sounds like a pretty standard interview schedule. First and foremost, talk to your peers and colleagues in your field who have been through the process (and navigated it successfully or at least were short-listed - getting advice from people who have been unsuccessful is not such a good use of your time). There is a book by Karen Kelsky called The Professor Is In that might have some useful tips. Also you might be able to find some advice on the Chronicle of Higher Education's web site.

 

[calimich]

Thanks MamaPhD. I've been reading Kelsky's blog and particularly enjoyed the "Stop. Acting.Like.A.Grad.Student" section.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I've found that talking to faculty who have been on search committees is really helpful.

 

[EmotRegulation]

I have plenty of advice here as a TT faculty member who was fortunate enough to get several interviews and offers when I was on the market, and have now been on a few search committees. First and simplest, go to the psych jobs wiki and read the Forum posts there, lots of good stuff comes up every year. That's easy. My other comments are stuff that aren't written about quite so much.

Second, remember that this is your opportunity to figure out if this is the right place for you, *not just trying to impress them.* You got a campus interview, so you impressed them already. Now it's your time to really think about this place, try to picture yourself there and ask questions that will help you figure out if it's the best place for you. Ask questions about the community and what people do for fun, housing options, etc. Treat the students with respect and try to ask them questions--what are they looking for in a teacher? Find out if this place has the resources for you to be successful as a researcher, a classroom teacher, a mentor, whatever you want to do with yourself. Campus interview visits are as much about them *recruiting you* as about evaluating you, so make sure you do your side of the work. One of my colleagues told me clearly that this one was of the major factors that set me apart from other candidates--that I asked questions which conveyed my real interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Third, and finally (I have other thoughts but these are the biggies), although people can bomb in-person interviews for content reasons (e.g., an awful job talk or teaching demo, unreasonable start-up demands), the in-person interview is really about whether you fit in well with the department. It's about personality match. So have one. A personality, that is (unless yours is obnoxious--then, tone it down!). Show your enthusiasm for the program, the area, the students, etc., in a genuine way. The faculty members want to know "is this someone I want to have down the hall from me for the rest of my career?" So, act like someone people want to have around--flexible, assertive, good listener, enthusiastic, genuine, takes feedback well, friendly, intellectually curious.

 

[calimich]

I've found that talking to faculty who have been on search committees is really helpful.

Willing to share some of what you found most helpful?

Thanks Emot, I've been thinking and reading about the more personal aspects of the interview. Seems letting one's personality come through is important, and finding that space between oversharing and being too guarded.

 

[Pragma]

I've been on both ends of it. For the on campus interview, don't underestimate how much endurance that you need for the day and be prepared for it. I recall one of my interview days going for 12 hours straight and I maybe had time for one fast bathroom break. I was exhausted by dinnertime. Bring snacks and get anything else you might need (coffee, 5 hour energy, whatever is normal for you). Don't count on having much downtime - then if you do it is a nice perk.

I had to do the teaching demo one time and fortunately it was to a real class - newsflash, faculty like the opportunity to have guest speakers so they don't have to prep for that day 🙂 - just stay within the parameters of what they ask for and know who the audience is going to be. I've seen "teaching demos" that were given to just open public audiences consisting of mostly faculty, which I thought were a little awkward.

The job talk should be tailored to the site. That might seem obvious but just make sure it fits where you are interviewing. I actually interviewed at one SLAC (not really what I wanted to do but I viewed it as a practice interview) and it had a different feel to it. Most of the audience were undergraduates so I found myself explaining concepts at a more basic level. I found it to be helpful actually because all of my prior talks about my dissertation had basically been either delivered to my lab and later my committee, who were familiar already. Your audience at an R1 or R2 might have more experience, but don't assume they know your paradigm. Best to assume you have an audience with a wide degree of understanding, although I'd keep it higher level for an R1 talk. I know that when I watch job talks now I appreciate when candidates can connect with both students and faculty - it's striking a balance and really just depends on your research paradigm.

Pay major attention to fit. It was like night and day at some places for me. Where I ended up, I knew I loved it right away that morning and the personalities in the department just jived well with me. I had a much colder experience at some other places.

I'd remain conservative with administrators. You'll have a lot more time to get to know them later and you'll have no idea what the politics are like at the interview. Most of my time spent with administrators was fairly superficial, and I tried to communicate how I could be flexible to meet their needs. The most important thing is that you don't present any red flags to them that would make them want to go against a search committee recommendation.

Also, I didn't negotiate salary until I knew I had an offer, but it is appropriate to talk about startup funds, travel, student support, and some of those important details.

Definitely check out the wiki forums because there are a ton of highly relevant posts every year.

 

[calimich]

Thanks Pragma, this is helpful. The teaching demo will be to faculty/staff/students of the department and they said "teach whatever you want." I'm both excited and frightened by the freedom to pick the topic.