The Academic Job Search: Pre-Interview, the Interview and Beyond Jose M. Cruz University of Connecticut 02/04/2005

Overview: Deciding where to apply Deciding where to apply The application The application Conference interview Conference interview Preparing for the interview Preparing for the interview The interview The interview Life after the interview Life after the interview My new position My new position

Where to Apply Finding out who’s hiring Finding out who’s hiring  OR/MS ads  Conference job fairs  School web pages  Contact faculty directly Making contacts Making contacts  Introduce yourself to people at conferences  people  Leverage your contacts to make new contacts

Where to Apply Deciding what you want Deciding what you want  Business vs. engineering  Geography  Teaching load  Caliber of research facilities KEEP ALL DOORS OPEN KEEP ALL DOORS OPEN

The Application What to include What to includeDefinitely:  Cover letter  Statement of interest  CV  References

The Application What to include What to includePossibly:  Teaching statement  Research statement If You have:  Research papers Customize to schools whenever possible Customize to schools whenever possible

The Application How to submit How to submit  Triple check cover letter  Have someone else review everything  DO NOT MISS DEADLINES! Following up Following up

Conference Interview Con: Con:  You may get rejected right away Pros: Pros:  Quickly get information about range of opportunities  Opportunity to meet and impress some people

Preparing for the Interview What to wear/pack What to wear/pack  Over-dressed is better than under-dressed  Come prepared for emergencies  Umbrella  Extra shirt Gathering materials Gathering materials  Extra copies of your CV  A few copies of your papers  Information about the school you are visiting

Preparing for the Interview Preparing your talk Preparing your talk  Find out and remember who you’ll be presenting to  Know the time constraints and be ready to meet them  Practice in front of multiple audiences  Bring transparencies as a backup Learn about the school, department, people, and position Learn about the school, department, people, and position

The Interview: What to Expect Generally lots of talking and chit-chat Generally lots of talking and chit-chat Short (30 min) 1-on-1 interviews with faculty members Short (30 min) 1-on-1 interviews with faculty members Relentless schedule: breakfast/lunch/dinner etc. Relentless schedule: breakfast/lunch/dinner etc. Job Talk Job Talk Meeting school Dean and Chair Meeting school Dean and Chair

Main Hints for Visit Relax & be yourself Relax & be yourself Try to get enough sleep Try to get enough sleep Be prepared all folks/attitudes etc. Be prepared all folks/attitudes etc. Continue reconnaissance (teaching, research, tenure etc.) Continue reconnaissance (teaching, research, tenure etc.) Big questions for you: Big questions for you:  How do you fit in?  What are your chances to succeed there? Try to imagine yourself already as a colleague You are being evaluated as a person!!!

The Job Talk: Structure Motivation Motivation Clear formulation of the problem Clear formulation of the problem Main results and analysis Main results and analysis Insights Insights Main tools used Main tools used Closure and hints to future research Closure and hints to future research

The Job Talk : Some Hints Well rehearsed Well rehearsed Know the literature! (especially that generated by your audience) Know the literature! (especially that generated by your audience) Take questions but manage time carefully Take questions but manage time carefully Don’t be afraid to show some flare

What the Schools Like to See Excellent research presentation Excellent research presentation Well thought-out research agenda (3-5 years) Well thought-out research agenda (3-5 years) Clearly articulated teaching interests consistent with applicant’s skills and interests Clearly articulated teaching interests consistent with applicant’s skills and interests Potential to be a good colleague Potential to be a good colleague

Making the Offer Who decides? Who decides?  Faculty in group/department  Search/hiring committee  Dean (s)  Faculty in entire school

Life After the Interview Waiting game Waiting game Get phone call followed by offer, now need to negotiate… Get phone call followed by offer, now need to negotiate…  Salary (summer support)  Research support/startup funds  Tenure clock  Teaching load/specific courses/Grad vs Undergrad  Moving expenses, better ½, other personal items… Don’t try to negotiate over non-negotiable items, but find out what you can negotiate Don’t try to negotiate over non-negotiable items, but find out what you can negotiate

Closing Thoughts Process sounds more complicated than it is… Process sounds more complicated than it is… Cannot really prepare for it completely Cannot really prepare for it completely Treat the whole thing as a fun ride Treat the whole thing as a fun ride  Meet lots of nice people  Visit interesting places  Sample good food

More Advice Recognize that the reasons for rejection may not be related to your capabilities but due to politics, lack of fit, etc. Recognize that the reasons for rejection may not be related to your capabilities but due to politics, lack of fit, etc. Try to avoid annoying people by being too aggressive Try to avoid annoying people by being too aggressive

My new position Questions? Questions?