The interview stage is a pivotal point in the academic job application journey. It’s an opportunity to showcase your expertise, fit within the department, and vision for your research and teaching. This guide covers key steps in preparing for both screening and on-campus interviews to ensure that you present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who aligns with the institution’s mission and values.
This post is part of Navigating the Path to an Assistant Professor Position in the U.S.: A Multi-Part Guide, offering insights and practical steps to help you succeed in securing and thriving in an academic career. Each installment explores different facets of the journey, from understanding position expectations to achieving early career success.
1. Preparing for Screening Interviews
Screening interviews are often conducted remotely and serve as an initial assessment of your fit for the position. Commonly lasting 20–45 minutes, these interviews may be with a search committee or a few key faculty members.
- Review the Job Ad and Your Application Materials: Before the interview, re-read the job posting and your submitted materials. Familiarize yourself with the key themes in your cover letter, teaching philosophy, and research statement, as these will likely be central to the conversation.
- Prepare Key Talking Points on Research, Teaching, and Fit: Expect questions about your research goals, teaching approach, and why you’re interested in their institution. Prepare concise, 1–2 minute responses that are specific and relevant to the department’s goals.
- Practice Answering Common Questions: Typical questions might include:
- “How does your research align with our department?”
- “Describe a challenge you’ve encountered in teaching and how you handled it.”
- “What future directions do you envision for your research?” Practicing these questions helps ensure your answers are well-organized and impactful.
- Have Your Own Questions Ready: At the end of most screening interviews, you’ll be invited to ask questions. Some good examples include:
- “Could you describe the structure of the department and how new faculty are supported?”
- “Are there opportunities for interdisciplinary research or collaboration within the university?” Having thoughtful questions reflects your genuine interest in the position and can offer valuable insights.
2. On-Campus Interviews: Structuring Your Preparation
On-campus interviews are usually more extensive, spanning a full day or even two, and include meetings with faculty, administrators, and students, and sometimes even delivering a job talk or teaching demonstration. These visits assess both your professional expertise and your fit with the department and campus culture.
- Understand the Agenda and Participants: Typically, you’ll receive an itinerary before the visit. Familiarize yourself with each person’s background, particularly their research interests or departmental roles. This allows you to tailor discussions to their expertise and interests.
- Polish Your Job Talk and Teaching Demonstration: Two of the most critical components of on-campus interviews are the job talk (research presentation) and teaching demonstration. Preparing well for these can set you apart:
- Job Talk: Structure it to be accessible to a broad audience but with enough depth to engage specialists. Begin with the big picture, discuss your methodologies and findings, and end with future directions that align with departmental goals.
- Teaching Demonstration: Focus on engaging the audience, demonstrating effective pedagogy, and showing a clear structure. Remember, faculty and students alike will be evaluating your ability to explain complex topics effectively.
- Prepare to Discuss Broader Impact and Funding Plans: Be ready to address questions about the broader societal or academic impact of your research. Additionally, institutions are often interested in your potential for securing funding, so plan to discuss current or future funding sources relevant to your field.
3. Meeting with Faculty and Department Chairs
Meetings with faculty members allow them to get to know you beyond your qualifications. They’re assessing both your expertise and collegiality, as well as your potential to contribute to collaborative projects and department initiatives.
- Emphasize Research Synergy and Collaboration: If faculty members share related research interests, express specific ideas for potential collaboration. This shows that you’re enthusiastic about integrating into their research community.
- Be Honest About Your Teaching Goals and Style: Many faculty may be interested in your teaching approach, so provide a candid overview of your teaching philosophy and your goals in the classroom. Mention specific courses you’d like to teach, including existing ones and any new ones you might propose.
- Seek Advice on Departmental Culture and Expectations: These meetings are opportunities to gather information on tenure expectations, department culture, and priorities. For instance, asking a senior faculty member about their experience balancing research and teaching responsibilities can provide valuable insights.
4. Meeting with Students and Administrators
Meetings with students and administrators, though sometimes informal, are valuable in assessing your potential role in the wider campus community.
- Engage with Students on Their Goals and Challenges: When meeting with students, show genuine interest in their experiences and challenges. They’ll be evaluating your accessibility and engagement as a potential mentor, so keep the tone conversational and welcoming.
- Address Administrative Goals and Departmental Alignment: Administrators may ask about your vision for contributing to the university’s goals. Highlight any alignment between your goals and the department’s initiatives—such as interdisciplinary research, community outreach, or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.
5. Handling Interview Etiquette and Difficult Questions
The on-campus interview process can be intense and often includes unexpected or challenging questions. Preparing for these helps ensure that you respond professionally and confidently.
- Stay Positive and Professional: Some questions may probe past challenges or failures, like “What’s a project that didn’t work out, and why?” Answer these honestly but with a positive spin—emphasize what you learned or how it strengthened your research approach.
- Be Prepared for DEI-Related Questions: Many institutions now include questions on DEI, such as “How do you incorporate inclusivity in your teaching and research?” Demonstrate your commitment by mentioning specific examples, like efforts to support underrepresented students or inclusive teaching methods.
- Maintain a Balance of Confidence and Humility: Confidence is important, but avoid sounding overly assertive or critical. Expressing enthusiasm for collaboration and learning from others can leave a positive impression.
6. Closing the Interview and Following Up
Concluding your visit on a positive note and following up professionally afterward can reinforce your interest in the role and keep you fresh in the committee’s mind.
- Thank the Committee and Faculty: Thank everyone for their time, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. Mention one or two specific highlights from the day to personalize your gratitude.
- Send Thoughtful Thank-You Emails: Within 24–48 hours, send thank-you emails to the search committee chair and any faculty or administrators with whom you had in-depth discussions. Personalize each note to reference specific points from your conversation, which reinforces your attention to detail and genuine interest.
Tips for Successful Interviewing
- Practice Active Listening: Interviews are as much about listening as they are about talking. Pay close attention to cues from faculty or administrators, and be prepared to adapt your responses based on the conversation flow.
- Be Yourself and Stay Authentic: Departments are looking for a colleague, not just a candidate. Showcasing your genuine personality helps the committee envision you as part of the team.
- Manage Your Energy and Stay Resilient: On-campus interviews can be exhausting, so manage your energy by staying hydrated, taking brief moments to decompress, and keeping a balanced mindset.
Parts of this Series:
- Understanding the Role and Expectations
We’ll begin by examining what it means to be an assistant professor, including the expectations surrounding research, teaching, and service. Knowing what institutions are looking for will help you tailor your application to meet their needs. - Building a Standout Application Package
Crafting a strong CV, cover letter, research statement, teaching philosophy, and diversity statement is crucial. We’ll provide in-depth advice on how to develop each component, ensuring that your application stands out in a competitive field. - Navigating the Job Search
Finding the right positions and tailoring your applications accordingly is an art. We’ll explore strategies for identifying opportunities, researching departments, and aligning your application with the specific requirements of each job posting. - Mastering the Interview Process
Interviews are a critical step in the process, from initial phone or Zoom interviews to on-campus visits. We’ll offer tips on how to prepare, what to expect, and how to present yourself as the ideal candidate. - Negotiating and Accepting an Offer
Once you receive an offer, it’s key to know how to negotiate terms that align with your professional and personal needs. We’ll guide you through the negotiation process, including salary, start-up funds, teaching load, and other critical factors. - Onboarding and Early Career Success
Finally, we’ll discuss how to navigate the early stages of your new role, from onboarding to establishing your research and teaching portfolios. Building a strong foundation during your first years can set the tone for a successful academic career.
