A job interview is a two-way street: it's a chance for you to showcase your training and skills at an institution of higher education as well as an opportunity for the people in your prospective department to entice you to join them. Whether the interview occurs over the telephone, at a conference, or via a series of meetings on a college campus, it is an occasion for you to display why you are the right choice for that college or university and to learn more about the position.
During the application process, carefully research the requirements of the job, the department, and the institution. Consider how your background and abilities fit the area's advertised needs, and tailor your application materials accordingly. After you have been invited for an interview, refine your understanding of the position. Interviewers are most interested in candidates that convey interest in the college or university, department, position, and students. Being familiar with the institution's history, the department's contributions to a body of knowledge, and prospective colleagues' areas of research will be vital to your interview success.
Find out as much as you can ahead of time about how that department handles its interviews. On-site interviews can last a half-day, an entire day, or even longer. Multiple interviews and presentations are common; you might meet with the search committee, the department head, and a group of peers. Each separate interview could include some questions in common, such as "Why are you interested in this position?" or "What do you know about our department/institution?" Academic positions often entail your providing a lecture or a seminar as a way to measure your teaching skills.
Inquire in advance about how travel costs will be handled. Some colleges or universities will expect you to cover transportation and other costs. Others will pre-pay your travel, and still others will reimburse you after the fact. If you are to be reimbursed, remember to save receipts.
Professional dress is recommended for higher education interviews. You should invest in good quality clothing that fits you well. A firm handshake and direct eye contact are expected in most North American cultures. Your appearance and demeanor will have a powerful impact on the first impression that you make. Remember that every interaction that you have during the process is part of the interview, whether it is with a dean or department head, the administrative assistant that made your travel arrangements, or the restaurant server that takes your meal request. Being professional and polite will help the search committee focus on your talents.
If you hold an advanced degree, be prepared to respond to questions about your thesis or dissertation. Often called "the elevator speech," you should be able to describe your research in a minute or two. Remember that you are the expert on your research, so you might have to adapt the language you use to suit the audience's familiarity with the topic. You should be able to outline the research questions that you posed in considering your topic as well as what you discovered through your work.
While you should be ready to respond to general inquiries such as "Tell me about yourself" with a one or two minute answer focused on their needs, you should also be prepared to respond to behavioral questions. These often begin with a stem such as, "Describe a situation ..." or "Tell me about a time when ..." Interviewers pose these types of questions believing that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Be specific in your responses and provide concrete examples that demonstrate your ability to produce results.
During your interview, you will have the opportunity to pose questions. Tailor your questions to the audience. It is likely that your inquiries to the department head or dean will be quite different from those to a group of peers or to a human resources representative. While you should avoid asking about salary or benefits until an offer has been extended to you, conduct research on salaries. HigherEdJobs.com/Salary has information from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and is an excellent place to learn more about average salaries.
Send a letter or email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to meet with them within a day or two following the interview. At a minimum, you should thank the chair of the search committee and the department head, although many job seekers jot down brief remarks about each interview so that they can write individual thank you notes to most or all of the people involved in the interview process.
Prepare for an interview first by knowing yourself, your skills, and your subject area. Conduct research on the institution and the department. Pay attention during the interview so that you can make an assessment as to your fit with the position and institution. Successfully showing your interviewers the connection between their current needs and your talents is the best way to secure an offer.
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