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WHAT QUESTIONS DO I ASK AT AN INTERVIEW FOR A FACULTY POSITION? Judith A. Jablonski, Ph.D.1 ______________________________________________________________________ CONTENTS Introduction Before the Conference Formulating Your Questions Questions You Hope You Are Asked What Else to Find Out After the Conference: What Comes Next? ______________________________________________________________________
Introduction As you prepare to interview for faculty positions at the ASIS&T conference, you need to take the time to consider both what you want in a position and what the school in question wants in a person. The conference interview is like a blind date. You want to make a good impression, and you are curious about what they are like; the interview committee is doing the same thing – or should be. The more prepared you are, the better the interview will go. The following includes a discussion of how to think about what it is you want in a faculty position, a compilation of questions to ask at the interview, and some thoughts on how to analyze and think about the job interview experience after the conference is over.
Before the Conference Know Thyself! If you’re at the point where you’re ready to look for a faculty position, you probably have a good idea of what it is you want. Or perhaps you don’t. Now, several months before the conference, is when you need to take the time to reflect on who you are professionally and what your interests and needs are. Knowing these things, you will be in a better position to understand and evaluate which schools might be the best for you (and why you might be the best for them). First, write a list of what your areas of interest are in research and in teaching. Your resume or vita, if you have one, can help you here (if you don’t have one, save these notes; they will help you later when you make one). Then, take the time to reflect on what you need and want in a faculty position. How to do this? Brainstorm, make lists, talk it over
Introduction As you prepare to interview for faculty positions at the ASIS&T conference, you need to take the time to consider both what you want in a position and what the school in question wants in a person. The conference interview is like a blind date. You want to make a good impression, and you are curious about what they are like; the interview committee is doing the same thing – or should be. The more prepared you are, the better the interview will go. The following includes a discussion of how to think about what it is you want in a faculty position, a compilation of questions to ask at the interview, and some thoughts on how to analyze and think about the job interview experience after the conference is over.
Before the Conference Know Thyself! If you’re at the point where you’re ready to look for a faculty position, you probably have a good idea of what it is you want. Or perhaps you don’t. Now, several months before the conference, is when you need to take the time to reflect on who you are professionally and what your interests and needs are. Knowing these things, you will be in a better position to understand and evaluate which schools might be the best for you (and why you might be the best for them). First, write a list of what your areas of interest are in research and in teaching. Your resume or vita, if you have one, can help you here (if you don’t have one, save these notes; they will help you later when you make one). Then, take the time to reflect on what you need and want in a faculty position. How to do this? Brainstorm, make lists, talk it over
References: and Resources section below includes items which may provide you with additional information and perspective on interviewing and finding the right job fit. REFERENCES and RESOURCES Cottingham, Kathryn L. (n.d.). Questions to ask (and be prepared to answer) during an academic interview. Accessed June 2009 at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~gradstdy/careers/services/interview/acad.html Golde, Chris. (1999). After the Offer, Before the Deal: Negotiating a First Academic Job. Academe: Bulletin of the American Association of University Professors, 85(1): 44-49. Accessed June 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3860/is_199901/ai_n8839107/ Lazowska, Edward D. (n.d.). The Ph.D. Job Hunt Helping Students Find the Right Positions. Accessed June 2009 at http://lazowska.cs.washington.edu/jobs.pdf. Wing, Jeannette M. (n.d.). Tips on the Interview Process. Accessed June 2009 at http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wing/www/tips.pdf 1 Judith A. Jablonski, PhD, MLIS, MA. Email: judithajablonski@gmail.com http://judithajablonski.pbworks.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/judithajablonski http://doctorjelearningblog.blogspot.com/ Website: LinkedIn: Blog: _____________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT QUESTIONS DO I ASK AT AN INTERVIEW FOR A FACULTY POSITION? By Judith A. Jablonski, Ph.D. Page 9 of 9