Nailing the Campus Visit & Job Talk: What to Do and What Not to Do
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Transcript of Nailing the Campus Visit & Job Talk: What to Do and What Not to Do
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La Verne Hairston Higgins, GPHR, SPHR Associate Dean, College of Business
Eastern Michigan University
Cynthia Kay StevensAssociate Professor, R H Smith School of Business
University of Maryland
MDSA Conference 2 August 2012
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Generally, what do you want from your next job?◦ What type of job do you want (research, teaching,
or some blend) & why?◦ Where do you want to live? ◦ What family constraints are negotiable versus non-
negotiable? How does this opportunity fit with what you
want?◦ What do you know about the location & institution?◦ What do you know about the faculty & programs?
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Know what you want Due diligence –
◦ Research the institution, department, and key faculty
◦ Leverage your social & professional network to learn the “inside scoop”
Realistic job preview Peruse faculty publications Review internal processes
◦ Contract renewal and tenure requirements◦ Tenure process: tenure clock,
Get to know the website!!
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Mission, vision, strategic plan, organizational structure
Faculty governance Faculty demographics vs. student
demographics Overall student profile Faculty credentials and organizational
memberships Campus faculty support Budget Raises over the past 3-5 years % of faculty achieving tenure, annual average
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Thoroughly examine the position description◦ What is required for the position? In what ways are
you a match? Ask about details of your trip
◦ Who will be your contact person on site? Who will handle logistics?
◦ With whom will you be meeting?◦ What are key constraints on timing?
What sort of presentation(s) should you prepare?◦ Research◦ Teaching
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Do: Don’t: Know the career you
want/you don’t want Have at least a cursory
knowledge of the: Department Institution Faculty Academic program
Clarify all details of the visit: timing, payment & scheduling, activities
Accept campus invitation if there is no chance you would accept a job offer
Schedule too many visits closely together◦ Interview schedules are
physically demanding◦ You need to be well-
rested & alert to make the best impression
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Meetings & interviews◦ Interview slots with: dean(s), search committee
members, department chair(s), faculty, students
Presentations ◦ Research ◦ Teaching
Social & informal interactions◦ May include breakfast, lunch & dinner; cocktail
parties; sporting events Be an interviewer
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Learn about the people Learn about the place
Use opportunity to learn about people◦ What is their background
& experience?◦ What changes have they
seen at the school?◦ What are they most
excited about for future? Look for
commonalities◦ Do you share interests or
perspectives?
Use preparation to your advantage◦ Ask about current state &
vision for key programs◦ Clarify questions about
degree programs, student enrollments, majors
Think & ask broad questions◦ How does the school fit
within the larger institution? Within the state or region?
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Anticipate your audience◦ Departmental faculty, search committee, School
of Business faculty, students, members of campus community
Carefully choose & prepare your talk◦ Show how dissertation fits within larger research
stream & what you plan to do afterward◦ Explain what sort of scholar you are—what are
your theoretical & methodological biases? Be prepared to handle questions reflecting
different perspectives◦ Understand nuances both theoretically & ◦ methodologically to defend your approach
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Do: Don’t: Rehearse the full
presentation in front of an audience BEFORE your visit
Have multiple strong lines of reasoning to defend theory, method & analysis
Ask for 10-15 minutes to set up & prepare
Ask for water
Assume that you have to be “THE Expert”◦ “That’s an interesting
point--I hadn’t thought about it. Maybe we could discuss it further later?”
Respond quickly with a lame answer
Indicate irritation or condescension with audience questions
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Find out who will be attending the talk◦ Faculty members, students or both
Find out the specifics of courseLevel of studentsFit with curriculum—required or elective course?Syllabus – previous content coverageUsual instructor(s) & their research interestsTextbook & methods typically used in course
Be prepared to talk about your teaching philosophy◦ How does your talk demonstrate your approach?
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Do: Don’t: Ask for 10-15 minutes
to set up all technology & materials in room
Use teaching methods that you are most comfortable with
Be thoroughly versed in the content area◦ Some questions may step
outside those in typical classroom
Choose a lesson or case that takes >45 minutes to complete
Plan a lesson or use an exercise that you have never before taught
Rely on overly common teaching materials◦ Showcase your own
originality & personality
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Meals◦ Provide opportunities for more relaxed
interactions◦ Highlight intangible aspects of location◦Key question: would you enjoy interacting
with each other at work on a social or interpersonal dimension?
Parties & sporting events◦ Showcase intangible institutional &
departmental “assets:” pleasant work environment, school spirit, sports teams
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Do: Don’t: Let hosts know in
advance about any food allergies or requirements (e.g., vegetarian, kosher)
Use proper etiquette◦ Avoid “messy” foods such
as spaghetti Ask about local
amenities Send prompt thank-you
notes to everyone
Assume any informal comments you make will be “off the record”
Order the most expensive item on the menu
Drink more than 1 glass of alcohol, generally
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Use your time wisely Social events are part of the
evaluation/selection process Not everyone will like you Not every interview will go well Some people may ask illegal questions You will not like everyone you meet You are also interviewing the School &
Department as your potential career partner!
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Understanding your decision process◦ How well does this position fit with what you
want professionally?◦ How well does it fit more broadly—
geographically, family considerations?◦ To what extent can you negotiate aspects that
don’t fit? Understanding their decision process
◦ How do you fit program-wise & interpersonally?◦ How well do the other applicants fit?◦ What is the larger internal & external political
environment?
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Is this really what you want? ◦ Thoroughly review job specifications
What is the success rate for recent/previous hires?◦ If this is a replacement position– why?
Are there student organizations in your field of interest?
Examine the salary – review AACSB, published information, university system, if applicable
Follow-up with search committee and others
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Typically, search committees offer recommendations & faculty members vote◦ Even if you fit well & make a good impression,
someone else may be seen as a better fit Deans can overrule faculty decisions
◦ Institutional priorities can change rapidly◦ Funding & lines can disappear as other goals
take precedence Other candidates’ decisions can affect your
prospects◦ If the first offer is turned down, you may have◦ another chance
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Typical sequence of events◦ Offer extended verbally with key details: salary,
course load, additional support & timeline◦ Follow-up letter with key details with request to
accept terms in writing Negotiable features
◦ Salary & research support (summer funding, spending account)
◦ Course load & number of new preps◦ House-hunting trip & relocation costs◦ Technology & travel to be reimbursed/covered◦ Start date for tenure clock
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Rare commodity Prestigious school Outstanding research Well connected
◦ Interviewing Institution◦ Broader academic community – journal editor,
mentor, major conference program chair, etc. Grant/funding sources
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The Academic Job Search: Workshop for The Academic Job Search: Workshop for ApplicantsApplicantsBoston Marriott Copley Square, Salon EFriday, 3 August, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
AOM Placement Services Boston Marriott Copley Square, Third Floor AtriumFriday, noon – 5:00 pmSaturday, Sunday & Monday:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm [interviews until 8:00 pm]Tuesday, 8:00am - noon