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« on: April 01, 2005, 09:45:02 AM » |
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Got my interview schedule recently. There is a group lunch with ten faculty members. What should I say in this situation? Any suggestion...
Thanks.
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readymade
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« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2005, 10:41:28 AM » |
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Are you kidding? You won't even have time to eat your lunch. They'll be pelting you with questions. Having something to say will be the least of your worries. What's harder is avoiding spitting food and drink as you talk; trying to respond in a reasonable time without exposing a mouthful of chewed food; remembering people's names; trying to to spill anything on yourself; and so on.
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B.F.
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« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2005, 11:02:36 AM » |
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You should have at least one question prepared should they ask "What questions do you have for us?".
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B.F.
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« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2005, 11:04:27 AM » |
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There was a good discussion on questions candidates should ask that I suggest you read. It is "Interviews with deans/chairs/departments" posted on 01-28-03. You can find it with the search function or through this link: http://chronicle.com/forums/careernetwork/read.php?f=2&i=1021&t=1021 |
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Koko
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« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2005, 12:21:29 PM » |
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Definitely be prepared with a few questions to ask them.
Also be prepared not to eat much of anything. I brought powerbars with me to my interviews, and they really saved me, as many times during the meals I did not get to eat much.
It's hard to get a good conversation going with 10 people at once, so be prepared for side conversations going on around you. Make sure you're also feeling energetic, as if your crowd is socially awkward, you are going to have to do a lot of work to make it through the lunch. Hopefully with 10 people, a few people will be socially skilled enough to make the lunch not too torturous.
Good luck!
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Catnip
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« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2005, 01:57:25 PM » |
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YES! You must eat beforehand.
I had breakfast with five people and lunch with five more. Even with that number of people it was virtually impossible to eat. I got in a tiny bit of food, and then did my best to make it appear that I had eaten more than I did, but, honestly, you don't get to eat at these lunches. Also recommended, use the restroom before the meal so that you don't have to get up and interrupt.
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Mahoo
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« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2005, 01:59:41 PM » |
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The trick is to order something that is easy to eat (i.e. not a lot of chewing required). I found fish to be a safe choice. Salads are difficult. So is something like roasted chicken.
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1st Time
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« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2005, 03:27:06 PM » |
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Thanks a lot!!!
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Fiona
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« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2005, 07:16:47 PM » |
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It'll be hard to talk with all ten, so you might suggest changing places at the table at some point. At one on-campus interview I had, half the committee sat around me for the first part of the meal, and then switched with the other half, so everyone got to talk to me. That was very thoughtful on their part, and made an excellent impression on me (and I took the job when it was offered).
The other suggestions here are very good, such as bringing your own secret stash of food and ordering things easy to eat. If caffeine keeps you energetic, No-Doz is another good thing to stash.
What to talk about? I suggest having a story or two to share, preferably related in some way to your research and illustrating your skills. People who study behavioral economics, for instance, often have human-interest tales, such as studies about whether to kick on fourth down and whether an African-style first name leads to job discrimination. If you're in any field of the humanities, you should have anecdotes about the great women or men in your field.
Best of luck, and do let us know what happens--
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anon
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« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2005, 07:31:43 PM » |
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behavioral economics or not, don't bring up discrimination as a topic... much too much of a landmine
and if someone asks you about larry summers, just say, "what a public relations disaster for Harvard"
also stay away from any anecdote that says anything negative about anyone, especially important people in the field... also landmines
on the other hand, people did seem to enjoy hearing the behavioral economics study about making colonoscopies longer and more painful (and people reporting them less painful because of it) over dinner... I wouldn't recommend that as a strategy though
it has been a rough job market for economists this year in many many ways
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helpful
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« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2005, 08:46:08 PM » |
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Treat the luncheon as a semi-formal, semi=informal time. Eat your food and make chit chat. But realize you are on show, socially, that is. If people ask questions, respond gently and in short sentences. Don't expound or elaborate needlessly.
Act like you are at a dinner party where people are sizing you up. But be relaxed too!
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Fiona
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« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2005, 08:59:05 PM » |
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Anon's right about not telling any hostile or negative stories. But anecdotes about the brilliance of famous people can be amusing.
Some candidates even rehearse one story for dinner, one story for another group gathering (the Chronicle had an article on a behavioral economist who did so).
I'm afraid we're giving you a paralyzing overload of advice, and I don't mean to do so. Most search committees do want to put the candidate at ease, and ones who don't--well, you're learning about them, too.
Please do let us know what happens.
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