Successful Interviewing for Academic Positions:A Department Head’s Perspective

Dan BernardoDept. Head, Kansas State UniversityDean, Washington State University

Three Stages to Landing an Academic Position

1. Preparing for success in an academic position

2. Successful interviewing

3. Keys to success on the job

Job Preparation

Know and prepare for the diverse roles of a faculty member in today’s academic department. Teaching Research Extension Service Advising

Do the following activities contribute more/ less – for purposes of advancement – than they did five years ago?

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Forces Contributing to Broader Faculty Roles & Responsibilities

Increased demand for improvement of on-campus instruction

Reductions in the resources committed to research, extension, and on-campus instruction

More pressing, issue-driven demands by clientele

Broader range of subject matter areas covered by the agricultural economics profession.

Top-10 Characteristics to Demonstrate During an Interview

1. Excellent economics training2. “Fire in the belly”3. Excellent communication skills

4. Absence of “pain in the *%#” factor

5. Excellent people skills6. Interest (and experience) in all dimensions of the

job 7. Interest in “real-world” problems8. Flexibility9. Ability to multi-task 10. Some notion of career direction

Components of the Interview

Seminar Dean & associate deans meetings Student sessions Department head meeting Social functions

Five Most Common Mistakes Observed During Interviews

1. Failure to communicate during seminar.

2. Inability to demonstrate passion &/or enthusiasm for the job.

3. Demonstrating inflexibility in terms of teaching, research, or extension responsibilities.

4. Overall lack of preparation.

5. Confusing arrogance with confidence.

Becoming a Successful Academic Professional: Four Keys to Success

1. Practice effective time management.2. Pursue scholarship on all fronts.

3. Enjoy your work.

4. Get along with peers, students, and administrators.

Distribution of Time Allocation: Award Winning Teachers

Research17%

Extension 6%

Other14%

Classroom14%

Prep.18%

Grading10%

Student Consult9%

Grad Students6%

Advising6%

Busy Teaching Periods

Light Teaching Periods

Research44%

Extension 11%

Other17%

Grading2%

Classroom3%

Prep.6%

Student Consult3%

Grad Students10%Advising

4%

Source: Schroeder, 1996

Distribution of Time Allocation: Award Winning Researchers

Research35%

Extension 1%Other

13%Classroom

11%

Prep.20%

Grading5%

Student Consult6%

Grad Students8%

Advising1%

Research62%

Extension 1%

Other13%

Grad Students10%

Advising2%Student Consult

4%

Teaching 8%

Busy Teaching Periods

Light Teaching Periods

Source: Schroeder, 1996

Becoming a Successful Academic Professional: Four Keys to Success

1. Practice effective time management.

2. Pursue scholarship on all fronts.

3. Enjoy your work.

4. Get along with peers, students, and administrators.

Is the definition of scholarship being broadened to include the full scope of activities in which faculty are involved?

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Becoming a Successful Academic Professional: Four Keys to Success

1. Practice effective time management.

2. Pursue scholarship on all fronts.

3. Enjoy your work.4. Get along with peers, students, and

administrators.

The Great Ones Enjoy What They Are Doing! (“I enjoy…”)

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Becoming a Successful Academic Professional: Four Keys to Success

1. Practice effective time management.

2. Pursue scholarship on all fronts.

3. Enjoy your work.

4. Get along with peers, students, and administrators.