Pre-Interview Preparation
Before any type of interview—telephone, conference or campus visit—dedicate time to research and planning. It is important to learn more about the institution you are interviewing at—it will improve your performance at the interview, enable you to ask smart questions, and most importantly aid you in your assessment of your "fit" within the institutional culture.
With the advent of the Internet, research has never been easier. Most of the information you need can be obtained online. The Chronicle of Higher Education features an Employers Profile section in which numerous colleges and universities have voluntarily provided in-depth profiles with extensive information for prospective candidates.
Topics to Learn More About Before the Interview
The following is a list of issues and questions you may wish to explore prior to the interview. It is general and by no means comprehensive.
- Basic statistics on enrollment, diversity, and composition of the student and faculty population.
- Mission statement and core values.
- Strengths (and weaknesses) of the institution-what programs are highly ranked? Which ones aren't?
- Learn a little bit about the campus. Does it have any prominent or historical landmarks? Is the department you will be interviewing with housed in one of these?
- The basic organizational structure of the university. Know the names of key university leaders (president, chancellor, provost, dean of the college and head of the department to which you are applying).
- Recent topics of interest to the campus community (for example, did a member of the faculty recently receive a Nobel Prize? Does the campus have a highly contested mascot? Have tuition increases been announced? Are there fiscal struggles?)
- Is the campus on semesters or quarters?
- Type of community. Is the university's role in the community large or small?
- What types of facilities or resources are available to support faculty members with teaching?
- What types of cultural events are important in the community? Is there a large performing arts center? Are intercollegiate athletics prominent?
- Learn more about the specific department to which you are applying. Learn the names of faculty members and their scholarly interests. Is there anything interesting or unique about the history of this department?
- Does the campus have interdisciplinary centers to promote scholarly research (such as an international or global studies center, a biotechnology center, or Latino/a studies center). If so, what is faculty participation in these?
Take a look at the programs of study catalog (usually available online). Just a glance through this may give you a good idea of the breadth of programs (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) available at the university.
Practice, Practice, Practice
There is no substitute for practice. Take every opportunity to exercise your interview skills and job talk. Your department can help. Some Urbana campus graduate departments arrange mock interviews for academic job candidates-be certain to participate. In addition, mock interviews are available during the academic year to all students, including graduate students, at the Career Center. While this mock interview experience is not specific to the academic job search process, it can still be very valuable to graduate students, especially because a Career Center counselor will videotape your performance and review it with you. Register with the Career Center at least two days in advance: (217) 333-0820.
When preparing for your interview, consider the questions you might be asked and prepare and rehearse your answers. Additional information about interview questions and structured responses is found below.
Take time to rehearse your job talk prior to your interview, too. Some departments arrange for job candidates to present their job talk to an audience of their peers. This can be intimidating, but evidence suggests that students who participate in this type of rehearsal have more positive interview experiences and receive more offers. If your department does not already offer this type of service, talk with your adviser and see if a special session can be arranged for you.
Things to Take to an Interview
There are a few things you should always carry to an interview:
- Name and phone number of your contact person
- Itinerary and hotel information
- Extra copies of relevant materials, including your CV and references. You may also want to bring additional copies of a writing sample, teaching statement, and research statement.
- Any slides, notes, or electronic equipment necessary for your job talk.
How to Dress
Appropriate interview attire can vary by the formality of a discipline. Suits are common in business-oriented fields, while less formal attire is often suitable in most other disciplines. The "power suit" of the business world is usually not necessary for academe. The best sartorial advice for both men and women is probably to wear professional clothing that is comfortable to you. Clothing should be well-tailored and pressed, hair should be neat, shoes should be polished, fingernails should be clean and trimmed, and cologne or perfume should be avoided. Women should also avoid excessive jewelry or cosmetics.
For men in most fields, appropriate interview attire includes a sports jacket, tie, and most types of non-jeans trousers. If you feel as though a tie strangles you and you believe your discomfort will be easily visible to others, you may be better off in something else-perhaps a tab collar shirt, turtleneck, or dressy polo shirt with a sport coat. Professional clothing can be more complicated for women-they have more choices and are simultaneously more likely to be judged for their appearance. Pant suits are now well-accepted and are a comfortable option. Skirts and dresses are also appropriate. Ask a female faculty member in your department for advice if you are in doubt. Comfort is an especially important point for women-narrow skirts, sheer pantyhose, and high heels look good, but they can actually hinder your interview if they make you so uncomfortable that you are not at your best. During a campus visit, you may be escorted on a walking tour of campus, so select shoes that will enable you to walk comfortably for several blocks. Clothing should also be climate appropriate; for instance, sandals are a poor choice for a winter interview in the Midwest.