How to Interview for an How to Interview for an Academic PositionAcademic Position

How to Jump Start Your Academic How to Jump Start Your Academic CareerCareer

Michael GooseffMichael Gooseff

mng2@psu.edumng2@psu.eduJan. 30, 2008

CEE Penn State University

ResourcesResources►Handout with this presentationHandout with this presentation

with additional noteswith additional notes

►Web page: Web page: www.engr.psu.edu/mgooseff/academic.www.engr.psu.edu/mgooseff/academic.htmlhtml Evolving resource of advice, links, and Evolving resource of advice, links, and

experiencesexperiences

►The facultyThe faculty

Academic Career Workshop Academic Career Workshop SeriesSeries

►What is an academic career?What is an academic career? Nearly full disclosure on what academic Nearly full disclosure on what academic

careers are all aboutcareers are all about

►How to apply for an academic positionHow to apply for an academic position Finding, reading, translating position Finding, reading, translating position

descriptionsdescriptions Tips on how to write your application Tips on how to write your application

materialsmaterials

►How to interview for an academic positionHow to interview for an academic position

How to Interview for an How to Interview for an Academic PositionAcademic Position Overview Overview

► Process & Purpose of an interviewProcess & Purpose of an interview It’s a 2-way street, but they have the upper hand…It’s a 2-way street, but they have the upper hand…

► Preparing to interviewPreparing to interview Research the institutionResearch the institution Teaching/research seminarsTeaching/research seminars Their questions, your questionsTheir questions, your questions

► What to expect on phone or on-campus What to expect on phone or on-campus interviewsinterviews With whom you are likely to meetWith whom you are likely to meet Fair questions/unfair questionsFair questions/unfair questions

How Does the Process Work?How Does the Process Work?Position was created

Description generatedPosition was advertised

Applications were

reviewed

For 5-10 candidates – phone interviews

For 3-4 candidates – On-campus interviews

For ~10 candidates – recommendation letters requested

“short-list”

Purpose of Interview - TheirsPurpose of Interview - Theirs►Are you the right person

for the position, as described the duties required the group of faculty the mission of the

department/institution

►Will you be successful?

►Will you contribute to the institution?

Purpose of Interview - YoursPurpose of Interview - Yours

► Is this a situation to which you want to make a long-term commitment? Considering professional

expectations (theirs and yours) Considering your personal

goals/requirements

► Is the vision of the institution similar to yours?

► Are you/will you be “comfortable”?

You should be a little bit selfish here…

How to Interview for an How to Interview for an Academic PositionAcademic Position Overview Overview

► Process & Purpose of an interviewProcess & Purpose of an interview It’s a 2-way street, but they have the upper It’s a 2-way street, but they have the upper

hand…hand…

► Preparing to interviewPreparing to interview Research the institutionResearch the institution Teaching/research seminarsTeaching/research seminars Their questions, your questionsTheir questions, your questions

Research the Department/Institution

► Web pages Institutional Others (e.g., professor ratings, US

News rankings)

► Personal Network: Colleagues’ opinions Alumni opinions Current students? Faculty in other departments

► Remember – they get your best application materials + 3-4 letters of recommendation

You need to find comparable info!

Research SeminarResearch Seminar►Captivate and impress Captivate and impress

them without losing the them without losing the general audiencegeneral audience

►Reach those who are not Reach those who are not in your specialtyin your specialty

►Make your seminar Make your seminar relevantrelevant

► If possible, reference your If possible, reference your publication(s)publication(s)

Comparison

• Exchange flux is increased for ice-covered simulations

• Exchange depth is decreased in ice-covered simulations

Cardenas & Gooseff, in review

Research SeminarResearch Seminar► Plan for ~40 slides for a Plan for ~40 slides for a

45 min. talk45 min. talk

► Do not assume too much Do not assume too much or too little of your or too little of your audienceaudience

► Outline:Outline: Background/problemBackground/problem Your fantastic solutionYour fantastic solution How you are pushing the How you are pushing the

cutting edge forwardcutting edge forward

Research SeminarResearch Seminar►Make sure it is organized Make sure it is organized

and clearand clear

►Do as little as possible to Do as little as possible to distract the audience distract the audience from the from the content/messagecontent/message

►Do NOT go over timeDo NOT go over time

►Conclude with a slide Conclude with a slide that conveys teamworkthat conveys teamwork

The um… sum of these

forces is… like zero.

Summary

• Even in the presence of ice, streambed characteristics control exchange between channel and bed

• Under-ice scenario is largely unexplored…

http://www.engr.psu.edu/mgooseff mng2@psu.edu

Associated Presentations:Wed. afternoon – Zarnetske et al., Poster H31G-0740Thurs. afternoon – Bowden et al., Oral B42A-05

Acknowledgements:Funding from NSF OPP 03-27440, Toolik Field Station, UT Jackson School of Geosciences.

Teaching SeminarTeaching Seminar► Subject should Subject should notnot matter matter

You can demonstrate teaching You can demonstrate teaching ability regardless of subject ability regardless of subject (though you have to know it)(though you have to know it)

► If possible make it simple If possible make it simple (e.g., a statics concepts)(e.g., a statics concepts)

► Employ case studies/real Employ case studies/real world examples (briefly)world examples (briefly)

► For a 50 min lecture, ~20 For a 50 min lecture, ~20 slidesslides

Teaching SeminarTeaching Seminar► Balance chalkboard/pptBalance chalkboard/ppt

► Make up assignments and Make up assignments and address them just as you address them just as you would when you teachwould when you teach

► Make up an example with Make up an example with local attributeslocal attributes

► Have your audience work a Have your audience work a problem in-classproblem in-class

► Ask for questions Ask for questions Before & duringBefore & during

KermitRidge

AggiePeak

LoganDivide

Planning for Questions

►They will ask questions about how you plan to fulfill the role Your opinions on where the field is going

►You should be prepared with questions Regardless of what they are, it shows you

have thought about the position

How to Interview for an How to Interview for an Academic PositionAcademic Position Overview Overview

► Process & Purpose of an interviewProcess & Purpose of an interview It’s a 2-way street, but they have the upper hand…It’s a 2-way street, but they have the upper hand…

► Preparing to interviewPreparing to interview Research the institutionResearch the institution Teaching/research seminarsTeaching/research seminars Their questions, your questionsTheir questions, your questions

► What to expect on phone or on-campus What to expect on phone or on-campus interviewsinterviews With whom you are likely to meetWith whom you are likely to meet Fair questions/unfair questionsFair questions/unfair questions

Purpose of Phone InterviewPurpose of Phone Interview

► Theirs: With minimal commitment of time and resources… Determine which of 5-10 excellent

candidates should go through a formal interview

Discriminate among several ‘similar’ candidates, which might better fit a position

► Yours: Make a good impression! Judge their performance (to yourself)

Phone InterviewsPhone Interviews

►Cons:Cons: No body language (you can’t read them)No body language (you can’t read them) You can’t tell who is/is not paying attentionYou can’t tell who is/is not paying attention Complications of phonesComplications of phones

►Pros:Pros: No body languageNo body language You can take many notesYou can take many notes You can be using resources…You can be using resources…

►Keep your application materials handy in case any Keep your application materials handy in case any questions arise about itquestions arise about it

Their Phone Interview Their Phone Interview QuestionsQuestions

► Are you still interested in the Are you still interested in the job?job?

► Why do you want this job?Why do you want this job?► What classes would you like to What classes would you like to

teach?teach?► Where do you see yourself in Where do you see yourself in xx

years?years?► Do you have any questions for Do you have any questions for

us?us? Always answer Always answer yesyes, have , have

something ready to ask.something ready to ask.

Your Phone Interview Your Phone Interview QuestionsQuestions

► Logistics of hiring processLogistics of hiring process where are they in the process, where are they in the process,

etc.etc.

► What is expected of the What is expected of the successful candidate? successful candidate? (teaching, research, service)(teaching, research, service)

► Not a question: Not a question: update your application, tell update your application, tell

them about new papers them about new papers submitted, published, etc.submitted, published, etc.

Phone Interview TipsPhone Interview Tips► Before the interview – Before the interview –

Practice with a friendPractice with a friend Be sure you have the call Be sure you have the call

in a quiet place, on a land linein a quiet place, on a land line Turn off any potential distractionsTurn off any potential distractions

(email, other phones, etc.)(email, other phones, etc.) Do NOT be late for their callDo NOT be late for their call

► During the phone interviewDuring the phone interview Take notesTake notes Relax, try to be comfortableRelax, try to be comfortable Do not smoke, chew gum, eat,

or drink.

Phone Interview Tips Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you

need to wet your mouth. Smile – it will project a positive image to the

listener and will change the tone of your voice. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Use the person's title. Do NOT interrupt the interviewers. Take your time - take a moment or two to collect

your thoughts. Give concise, informative answers.

End the Phone InterviewEnd the Phone Interview► They will probably say “we’ll be in contact They will probably say “we’ll be in contact

with you”with you”

► Be sure to thank them for their time and Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration of your applicationconsideration of your application

► End with an upbeat message – that you End with an upbeat message – that you look forward to hearing from themlook forward to hearing from them

► After you hang up, review your notes After you hang up, review your notes immediately and make sure to add immediately and make sure to add anything that might be missinganything that might be missing

► Then, just relax in confidence!Then, just relax in confidence!

On-Campus InterviewOn-Campus Interview► Typical Schedule:Typical Schedule:

Day 1- Arrive Day 1- Arrive ► Faculty or grad student will pick you Faculty or grad student will pick you

upup► You may go to dinner with them – You may go to dinner with them –

you are onyou are on Day 2Day 2

► Breakfast with search committee Breakfast with search committee member/facultymember/faculty

► Meeting with search committeeMeeting with search committee► Meeting with department headMeeting with department head► Lunch with graduate students Lunch with graduate students ► Meeting with deanMeeting with dean► Research seminarResearch seminar► Dinner with facultyDinner with faculty

On-Campus InterviewOn-Campus Interview►Typical Schedule:Typical Schedule:

Day 3 Day 3 ►Breakfast with facultyBreakfast with faculty►Meetings with specific faculty Meetings with specific faculty

members members and maybe staffand maybe staff►Lunch with research center Lunch with research center

directordirector►Teaching seminarTeaching seminar►Closing meeting with Search Closing meeting with Search

CommitteeCommittee►Closing meeting with dept. Closing meeting with dept.

headhead►Dinner with faculty/head homeDinner with faculty/head home

Fair Questions from Them► When can you start?

► Can you earn a PE license?

► To which agencies will you submit proposals?

► How big will your research group be?

► Will you include undergrads in research?

► Are you a team player or an empire builder?

Unfair Questions from Them

► Are you married/do you have a family?

► Are you planning to have kids?

► Would you take this job if offered?

► Do you celebrate Christmas?

► Are you a Republican? Unfair Statement: You are the front-runner for this

position

Fair Questions from You► Resources/Compensation

Lab space? Student space? Typical salary offers?

► How are young faculty supported?

► What are the rates of tenure success?

► How much TA support exists?

► What is the vision of the department? The institution?

Closing meeting with DH and/or dean

► Quasi-negotiating…

► What would it take to get you here?

► What resources do you need to get started?

► Make it clear if there are any deal-breakers…

What NOT to do on an What NOT to do on an InterviewInterview

► Do not come off as over-Do not come off as over-confidentconfident

► Dinner party rules apply Dinner party rules apply – avoid talk of politics – avoid talk of politics and religion*and religion*

► Do not dismiss anyoneDo not dismiss anyone Students and staff matter Students and staff matter

just as much as faculty!just as much as faculty!

*this may not hold for religious-affiliated schools

What you should do on an What you should do on an InterviewInterview

► Remember that interviewing is a Remember that interviewing is a 2-way street2-way street You need to decide if this is the You need to decide if this is the

place for youplace for you

► Be confident, but humbleBe confident, but humble

► Be professionalBe professional

► Be HonestBe Honest on paper, on the phone, in personon paper, on the phone, in person

► Ask questions – prove you are Ask questions – prove you are interested!interested!

Final Thoughts

►Define your career vision The best candidates often have a clear set

of goals they want to accomplish Sell this vision & integration to the dept.

►Plan ahead – The more you practice the more

comfortable you will be The more effort you put into preparing

answers ahead of time, the more they will be impressed

Final Thoughts

►Interviewing is a 2 way process You should impress them They should impress you

►Be honest You will be miserable if they hire you but

expect things you cannot do To be really happy, your goals should

complement the vision/goals of the department

Final Thoughts

►You only have to convince a majority that you are the right person for the job…

Follow-upFollow-up► What you should What you should

expect from them…expect from them… No news is good news – No news is good news –

for a whilefor a while

► Should you call/email?Should you call/email? Sure, at any reasonable Sure, at any reasonable

timetime However, However, BE PATIENTBE PATIENT

The EndThe End

►Resources:Resources:►Web pageWeb page

►ANGEL siteANGEL site►Please evaluate this workshop via the ANGEL Please evaluate this workshop via the ANGEL

site after it is established; site after it is established; ►All constructive criticism is welcome!All constructive criticism is welcome!

►CEE FacultyCEE Faculty