Or “How not to go crazy in Chicago”

Pre-Interview

 Calls for interviews will start coming usually after thanksgiving.

 Get Organized!

 Schedule for the meetings (1/2 hour blocks, starting at 8AM every day)  Hotel locations (it takes time to get there, elevators are VERY slow)  Interview codes (write them DOWN)  Ask who will be interviewing (and look them up).

 Most Interviews last about 30 min. But be careful about scheduling back to back.

Attire

 Men: Interview Suit (grey, blue, brown), white shirt, red tie (or purple, or possibly green).

 Women: Interview Suit (grey, blue, brown), colored shirt (or white?), possibly a scarf (or tie?), matching shoes? (are you kidding me…I’m giving fashion advice to women???)  Look professional. Now is not the time to exert your individuality.

Preparation

 Your Spiel: Research summary for GENERAL AUDIENCE  1-2 min version (short abstract of JMP, why important)  5 min version (Longer discussion of JMP, major contribution, why important, cool metrics, cool data, brief statement on other chapters)  15 min version (more detail on JMP, other chapters, future

research)

 They should build on each other.

 Teaching: what can you teach (upper division)  Basic format  Book?

The Interview: Basics

 Get interview rooms/codes as soon as possible.

 Be yourself (only better??)  Relax (as much as possible, see 1 above)  Get organized every morning: extra CV’s, JMP’s, look at schedule, plan lunch.  This is actually “fun”, so relax and enjoy it.

What they are looking for

 Fire in the belly.  Engaged.

 Is the research yours or your advisors?

 Are you an economist?

 Will you fit into their program?

 Can you carry on a conversation, or is the flyback going to be painful.

 Can they get along with you.

 Are you interested in them?

Perspective

 It’s a conversation. Be a part of it. In fact, try to be the center, without being rude and dominating.

 Look at people, not the floor. Not the ceiling. Not your notes.

 You should be able to be interrupted from you spiel, give an answer, and then get back on track.

 Remember, you are claiming you are ready to be their colleague. Act like it.

 Don’t be arrogant or a jerk. Don’t be a wuss either.

Structure 1: The Knock

 Knock on door, introduce yourself to the person who answers it, and ask if they are ready for you. Don’t be late, don’t be early.

 Shake hands etc with everyone in room, try to remember names (you’ve researched them).

 Let them lead introductory chit-chat etc (how was your flight, it sucks that it’s raining) etc.

Structure 2: Research Question

    “Tell us about your Research” This is where you launch into your spiel    Start with 5 min one, but be prepared to keep going for up to 15 min (they may tell you, they may not).

Be prepared to get interrupted and answer questions.

It’s a conversation, not a lecture, be polite and responsive. “I don’t know” is acceptable, if followed up with “it seems like…”  NEVER EVER put down another’s research.

This will probably be the majority of the interview. They will probably ask you what your research plans are.

 Preempt: at the end of your spiel (one interesting question raised by my work is…I’d like to tackle that next)

Structure 3: Teaching

 “What courses would you want to teach?”  Well, of course I can teach principles (duh at least one).

 My research area is ________ so I’d like to teach _______.  I also have interests/expertise/coursework in _______ so I’d like to/could teach _______.

 My dream course is __________. (maybe)

More Teaching

 “If you taught ______, what would that course look like?”  You should be able to cite a book. Talk about major topics.  A little bit of teaching philosophy (don’t wax philosophical…)

Structure 4: They Talk

 “Let us tell you a little bit about our program”  Listen, but stay engaged.

 Ask a question …maybe two? It’s a conversation.

 Listen (because they may answer questions you are about to ask). “Oh, cool, that was one of my questions”

Structure 5: Last Questions

 “Do you have any questions for us?”  You should: “tell me about ….”  Place to live  Faculty interests  Computers  Time line  Etc etc etc (you’ve looked these people up during Christmas…you should have some).

 You are trying to show interest.

Tough/Tricky Questions

   How many interviews/with whom  You should be nice and give some kind of answer, make them think they are competitive, you don’t have to give away the farm though.

Are you married.

 It’s illegal, I will be stunned if you actually get this.

   “Is there anything else we should know about you” is code for that.

It’s not really nefarious. Usually, they want to know if there is a trailing spouse/joint search issue.

You don’t have to tell them. You could. Make them think it works to their advantage.

Weird questions. (what kind of tree?)    Be friendly, laugh if appropriate…etc Be nice. Give an answer, don’t be a jerk. Shrug it off, don’t freak out.

Oak tree is always a good answer, maple is OK too.

Preparation is Key

 Get your Spiel going NOW.

 Do it for friends and family until they hate you.

 Do it for strangers while Christmas shopping.

 Do it at parties.  Talk to your advisor about likely questions (vis a vis research).

 Prepare the outline for a few classes (not a syllabus, but an idea, complete with book).

 Research the people and place a little.

Safety Net:

 I will be at the meetings and I’ll give you a cell phone number.

 We will do practice interviews: let us know when you get interviews at the meetings.

 Help each other.  Room codes  Moral support  Logistical support (grab a sandwich for a friend)  I will schedule a dinner near the end of the ASSA meetings, including booze (my treat).