Preparing for academic interviews

• Preparation and first round interviews

• Campus interviews

• The job talk and teaching demo

What kind of questions should I prepare for? 

All stages of the interview process involve questions related to research, teaching and service/collegiality. Depending on the position (teaching-focused, research-focused or post-doc), the weight of these areas will vary. 

Do I have to research everyone on the hiring committee? 

Yes. It is highly recommended that you research everyone on your hiring committee. You will gain insight into what kind of questions they will ask. For instance, a committee’s research background may indicate what questions they will ask you. It will also give you a framework for best tailoring your answers for the committee. 

You could mention that you have read a paper or book by one of the committee members. If you do so, be sincere and genuine by making it a natural part of your answer. This shows that you are making a connection between your work and theirs, emphasizing the suitability for the department as well as possible collaborations.

Should I research beyond the search committee? 

Yes! Research the department, the faculty and the university. Researching into these areas might indicate what they are looking for in a candidate.

Your research may also provide you information so you can tailor your answers, interactions and job talk.  Questions like does the department have a new initiative or lab space? Did the faculty receive any particular kind of funding? Has the university made the news lately? 

Do I have to research every faculty member in the department? 

You are strongly encouraged to research all faculty members when invited for an on-campus interview. Being prepared to talk to everyone, making connections between you and their research if possible and addressing what your research adds to the department are all ways to maximize first impressions.

Additionally, you should indicate possible collaborations some time during your on-campus interview, whether during the job talk or through meetings. You may focus your research on those potential collaborations but still research the entire department.

Beyond research and preparing for questions, how else can I prepare? 

It is highly recommended that you review the documents you have submitted. If there is a longer period between applying and interviewing, you want to refresh yourself on what exactly you wrote in the cover letter or indicated in your CV. This will allow you to appear consistent and remind yourself how you have presented yourself to the committee.

First round interviews 

What is a campus interview?

Campus interviews are the final stages of the academic application process that are one-to-two days of meetings, lunches, dinners and tours during which your evaluation will take place. Make no mistake, you are being interviewed the whole time. But also, be aware that you are interviewing them too, to determine whether the department, university and/or location is the right fight for you. 

Your own questions are not that different. The market is tight, but this does not mean that you must accept a job that is not a good match for you. 

What are the components of a campus interview? 

The campus interview consists of most or all the following elements, for which you will receive a schedule in advance of your arrival (if you do not receive one, ask for it before you arrive): 

What do I wear for the campus interview? 

Because each discipline has different formality measures, we recommend asking this question to your supervisor or mentor or fellow colleagues on the job market. Additionally, attend job talks at your department and observe how other job candidates dress in your field. Taking into consideration the information you received from mentors and from the job talks you attended, dress in something that makes you feel comfortable and confident in.

Are the breakfasts/lunches/dinners actually interviews? 

Yes, they are. While less formal, you will be asked questions throughout your meal. Choose food that is less awkward to eat while also talking with others. Bring snacks with you to eat between meals because you will likely not eat a full meal while talking for the majority of the time. Do not forget to drink lots of water. If alcohol is available, read the room. If others are drinking an alcoholic drink, you can too, but do not feel pressured to do so. If you are drinking alcohol, pace yourself and limit the number of drinks you have. 

Let the search committee know if you have food allergies or any other dietary restriction to avoid awkward situations that leave you hungry and awkward exchanges with your hosts as you arrive at a restaurant. 

How do I prepare for search committee and other faculty meetings? 

Being prepared to move into the  specifics of discussing your qualifications for and interest in that particular department is crucial. Remember that researching the department and the university where you will be interviewing is vital for handling the search committee/faculty questions. You must be prepared to give thoughtful responses to their questions and relate your answers to the job and the needs of that particular department. Focus on projecting confidence and collegiality. 

How you frame and structure your answers will depend on the contexts of the position, department and/or university. For example, are they primarily an undergraduate institution focused on teaching? If so, you will probably want to focus on your teaching and mentorship experiences. Are they are an R1 university? Then, focusing on your publication and conference record would be appropriate. 

What does the search committee/faculty want to know? 

 The kinds of questions asked are divided into three categories: research, teaching and service. We’ve outlined details of what they are looking for in each category. 

How do I prepare for grad/undergrad meetings and tours?

In some departments, students, especially graduate students, hold significant influence on the hiring decision. While this will not be the case in all departments, it is a good strategy to assume they do. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet the graduate students. Take an interest in their work, in their insights about the department, institution and area of research.

Never talk down to them. Graduate or undergraduate students are usually responsible for the campus tour. The same rules apply in that context. Take an interest, engage yourself and speak to them with confidence. They will have some excellent questions to ask you and can be excellent allies in the hiring process. 

What do the grad/undergrad students want to know? 

Like the search committee and faculty, students want to know if you would be a good match for the department but in terms of supervision, mentorship, and contributions to the graduate/undergraduate curriculum and experience. Students want to know if they can see you as a supervisor for themselves or for junior colleagues. Can you address a gap, whether course-wise or supervision-wise, that students feel exist in the department? Are you approachable? 

Expect questions about your research, teaching, and service. But these questions will focus on how your research, teaching and service impact graduate and undergraduate students.

What kind of questions can I ask during the campus interview? 

Broadly, you can ask questions related to the department’s future plans, the university community, teaching experiences, research support and opportunities, professional development advancements, industry partnerships, students and colleagues. Below are some questions to ask specific groups of people during the campus visit. 

What is the job talk and teaching demonstration? 

The job talk is widely considered the climax of the campus visit of an R1 institute and of most research-focused positions. The teaching demonstrations are the standard equivalent for teaching-focused institutions/positions. Sometimes the teaching demonstration replaces the job talk and sometimes it is required in addition to the job talk. 

The job talk is a presentation of a specific topic related to your research relevant to the position. Audience members are both faculty and grad students. The presentation is typically followed by a question and answer period. 

While the teaching demo does not have a Q&A, there’s the interactions with the students that you must anticipate.

Be sure to prepare well in advance so that you can present your material confidently and deal effectively with the question period afterwards. Specifics about the job talk (such as length, delivery method, etc.) can vary widely by field. Make sure you research this important information to prepare adequately. 

How can I prepare for the job talk? 

One way to prepare for your job talk is to give a mock job talk in your home department or with some fellow students. The key is to practice until your job talk is confident and smooth, including how you respond to questions. Practice using an authoritative tone that projects confidence. While you are practicing, make sure to time your talk. Do not go over time. 

Practicing your job talk often will allow you to speak dynamically, to look up from your paper if you are reading it and to speak fluidly about your topic if you are using only notes. If you are unsure, tape yourself giving the talk so that you can listen to how your voice sounds and what message it is sending. 

How can I prepare for the teaching demo? 

Advanced research into the student body, the department’s courses and if possible, their courses’ syllabi, is important for determining your job talk. When you are told the topic and level of class you will be teaching, research the standards and expectations of similar courses. Do not assume that those standards and expectations are the same across universities.

If your supervisor or mentor has connections to the department, gather advice and information from them. Like the job talk, you can practice this with friends or colleagues. 

What kind of questions should I anticipate and prepare for in the job talk? 

You can anticipate what questions faculty may ask based on the research you have done on the specific faculty members and the department.

You can also integrate some control over the questions asked by how you organize your presentation and what content you choose to include (or exclude). Additionally, practice how to respond to questions that may seem odd or perceived as hostile. Always work to bring your answer back to your own research and strengths, rather than what you do not know. 

What if I do not know the answer to a question? 

Never apologize for what you do not know. It is best to avoid this language entirely. Instead, redirect to what you do know and can talk about. It is generally an effective strategy to respond to a question with “that is an excellent question” or “thank you for that question” and pause for thought. Doing so will give you a chance to collect yourself and to structure your answer.

Also, be sure to finish strongly. Rather than “does that answer your question?” rephrase to “I hope that answers your question,” or even “next question.” This will project confidence and allow you to establish yourself as a colleague, rather than a grad student. 

If multiple people wish to ask a question, who do I prioritize? 

When you are dealing with questions, it is generally expected that you call on more senior faculty/audience members first before moving on to other faculty or graduate students. At the same time, make sure you are aware of the etiquette in the department for how a question period works. Ask in advance if it is you, or a faculty member responsible for selecting questions from the audience.

What kind of content should I include in a teaching demo?

Prepare for a class that is participatory, interactive and engages in discussion. While you may prepare a lecture, keep it brief to allow more time for activities and discussion. The teaching demo is not just about you; it is about the students and how you work with students. So, avoid lecture-like discussions about your research. It is okay to incorporate your research organically, but you must show that you can, like other faculty members, teach outside of your own research. Thus, you should always choose a topic outside of your research expertise if given the choice, to demonstrate your willingness and ability to teach more than what you research. 

1. Learn more about: How to negotiate an academic job offer and resumes from academia to industry