La Verne Hairston Higgins, GPHR, SPHR Associate Dean, College of Business

Eastern Michigan University

Cynthia Kay StevensAssociate Professor, R H Smith School of Business

University of Maryland

MDSA Conference 2 August 2012

Generally, what do you want from your next job?◦ What type of job do you want (research, teaching,

or some blend) & why?◦ Where do you want to live? ◦ What family constraints are negotiable versus non-

negotiable? How does this opportunity fit with what you

want?◦ What do you know about the location & institution?◦ What do you know about the faculty & programs?

Know what you want Due diligence –

◦ Research the institution, department, and key faculty

◦ Leverage your social & professional network to learn the “inside scoop”

Realistic job preview Peruse faculty publications Review internal processes

◦ Contract renewal and tenure requirements◦ Tenure process: tenure clock,

Get to know the website!!

Mission, vision, strategic plan, organizational structure

Faculty governance Faculty demographics vs. student

demographics Overall student profile Faculty credentials and organizational

memberships Campus faculty support Budget Raises over the past 3-5 years % of faculty achieving tenure, annual average

Thoroughly examine the position description◦ What is required for the position? In what ways are

you a match? Ask about details of your trip

◦ Who will be your contact person on site? Who will handle logistics?

◦ With whom will you be meeting?◦ What are key constraints on timing?

What sort of presentation(s) should you prepare?◦ Research◦ Teaching

Do: Don’t: Know the career you

want/you don’t want Have at least a cursory

knowledge of the: Department Institution Faculty Academic program

Clarify all details of the visit: timing, payment & scheduling, activities

Accept campus invitation if there is no chance you would accept a job offer

Schedule too many visits closely together◦ Interview schedules are

physically demanding◦ You need to be well-

rested & alert to make the best impression

Meetings & interviews◦ Interview slots with: dean(s), search committee

members, department chair(s), faculty, students

Presentations ◦ Research ◦ Teaching

Social & informal interactions◦ May include breakfast, lunch & dinner; cocktail

parties; sporting events Be an interviewer

Learn about the people Learn about the place

Use opportunity to learn about people◦ What is their background

& experience?◦ What changes have they

seen at the school?◦ What are they most

excited about for future? Look for

commonalities◦ Do you share interests or

perspectives?

Use preparation to your advantage◦ Ask about current state &

vision for key programs◦ Clarify questions about

degree programs, student enrollments, majors

Think & ask broad questions◦ How does the school fit

within the larger institution? Within the state or region?

Anticipate your audience◦ Departmental faculty, search committee, School

of Business faculty, students, members of campus community

Carefully choose & prepare your talk◦ Show how dissertation fits within larger research

stream & what you plan to do afterward◦ Explain what sort of scholar you are—what are

your theoretical & methodological biases? Be prepared to handle questions reflecting

different perspectives◦ Understand nuances both theoretically & ◦ methodologically to defend your approach

Do: Don’t: Rehearse the full

presentation in front of an audience BEFORE your visit

Have multiple strong lines of reasoning to defend theory, method & analysis

Ask for 10-15 minutes to set up & prepare

Ask for water

Assume that you have to be “THE Expert”◦ “That’s an interesting

point--I hadn’t thought about it. Maybe we could discuss it further later?”

Respond quickly with a lame answer

Indicate irritation or condescension with audience questions

Find out who will be attending the talk◦ Faculty members, students or both

Find out the specifics of courseLevel of studentsFit with curriculum—required or elective course?Syllabus – previous content coverageUsual instructor(s) & their research interestsTextbook & methods typically used in course

Be prepared to talk about your teaching philosophy◦ How does your talk demonstrate your approach?

Do: Don’t: Ask for 10-15 minutes

to set up all technology & materials in room

Use teaching methods that you are most comfortable with

Be thoroughly versed in the content area◦ Some questions may step

outside those in typical classroom

Choose a lesson or case that takes >45 minutes to complete

Plan a lesson or use an exercise that you have never before taught

Rely on overly common teaching materials◦ Showcase your own

originality & personality

Meals◦ Provide opportunities for more relaxed

interactions◦ Highlight intangible aspects of location◦Key question: would you enjoy interacting

with each other at work on a social or interpersonal dimension?

Parties & sporting events◦ Showcase intangible institutional &

departmental “assets:” pleasant work environment, school spirit, sports teams

Do: Don’t: Let hosts know in

advance about any food allergies or requirements (e.g., vegetarian, kosher)

Use proper etiquette◦ Avoid “messy” foods such

as spaghetti Ask about local

amenities Send prompt thank-you

notes to everyone

Assume any informal comments you make will be “off the record”

Order the most expensive item on the menu

Drink more than 1 glass of alcohol, generally

Use your time wisely Social events are part of the

evaluation/selection process Not everyone will like you Not every interview will go well Some people may ask illegal questions You will not like everyone you meet You are also interviewing the School &

Department as your potential career partner!

Understanding your decision process◦ How well does this position fit with what you

want professionally?◦ How well does it fit more broadly—

geographically, family considerations?◦ To what extent can you negotiate aspects that

don’t fit? Understanding their decision process

◦ How do you fit program-wise & interpersonally?◦ How well do the other applicants fit?◦ What is the larger internal & external political

environment?

Is this really what you want? ◦ Thoroughly review job specifications

What is the success rate for recent/previous hires?◦ If this is a replacement position– why?

Are there student organizations in your field of interest?

Examine the salary – review AACSB, published information, university system, if applicable

Follow-up with search committee and others

Typically, search committees offer recommendations & faculty members vote◦ Even if you fit well & make a good impression,

someone else may be seen as a better fit Deans can overrule faculty decisions

◦ Institutional priorities can change rapidly◦ Funding & lines can disappear as other goals

take precedence Other candidates’ decisions can affect your

prospects◦ If the first offer is turned down, you may have◦ another chance

Typical sequence of events◦ Offer extended verbally with key details: salary,

course load, additional support & timeline◦ Follow-up letter with key details with request to

accept terms in writing Negotiable features

◦ Salary & research support (summer funding, spending account)

◦ Course load & number of new preps◦ House-hunting trip & relocation costs◦ Technology & travel to be reimbursed/covered◦ Start date for tenure clock

Rare commodity Prestigious school Outstanding research Well connected

◦ Interviewing Institution◦ Broader academic community – journal editor,

mentor, major conference program chair, etc. Grant/funding sources

The Academic Job Search: Workshop for The Academic Job Search: Workshop for ApplicantsApplicantsBoston Marriott Copley Square, Salon EFriday, 3 August, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

AOM Placement Services Boston Marriott Copley Square, Third Floor AtriumFriday, noon – 5:00 pmSaturday, Sunday & Monday:

8:00 am – 5:00 pm [interviews until 8:00 pm]Tuesday, 8:00am - noon