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[artscoolgirl]

Does anyone have experience with phone interviews?  Up until now I have only had face to face group interviews and I am not sure if they are different or if there is an etiquette that needs to be followed?  (like addressing people by their first names, etc...)  The position is adjunct and the budget does not allow to fly anyone out.  I had two really good phone calls/screenings with the head of the search committee so far.
Any help or suggestions for questions to ask or will be ask would be greatly appreciated, it is an adjunct position.

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[prytania]

My initial interview was by phone, and it went really well, which I didn't expect. It was a conference call and the initial interviewers were really nice with a good sense of humor.

Of course, you have to be prepared for the questions they ask, as in any interview, but that sense of connecting with people is also important on the phone. I think I was very relaxed about the process because at the time I wasn't that thrilled due to the job location, and  I didn't care whether I got it or not.

I'm sure this is helpful. Not.

[rattus domesticus]

Ah, the phone interview. I'm not sure if this will apply, as I'm referring to my experience interviewing for f/t positions, but here goes:

a) I did extensive research on the campus, printed out pages on student population, diversity, the chancelor's address, mission, etc. Then highlighted what seemed important, made up a "cheat sheet" and referred to it in the interview, as in "Well, I see that blah blah college has had good retention with traditional students in 2004... what might be of interest..." and so on. It's a way of trying to loosely connect my teaching ideas with their "vision."

b) I found out who was on the committee BEFORE they called, printed out pics and bios and started highlighting again. I fanned these out on my coffee table, along with some other print outs before they called. Then I could look at the person's face (somewhat) as I was talking. Believe it or not, this helped me. Maybe I'm a visual person. Also was able to make a few comments about interviewers, as in, "Oh, and Dr. Blah Blah, I see you're the expert on Romanticism. I like to include in my ENG101 courses a small introduction to this form of literature..." You get the drift. I once was able to casually mention that I'd read a committee member's article on retention--luckily I agreed with her stance. I guess I'm a big brown-noser, but I try not to look like one. I hope that I only appear "educated" about their campus.

c) I memorized their sequence of courses and printed out descriptions way beforehand... then clipped out important parts to refer to. I also scouted out faculty's syllabi and printed those out. I then chose some senior profs to model my questions on.... though I was careful to choose as many from the committee if I could. As in, "I see that for English 101, you don't require a full-length book, but an in-depth reader..." I always review the bookstore's offerings for each course. I order the text ahead of time if I can (or get it at the library) and review at least the table of contents so I can talk about "their" text intelligently. I once carried a library book on a plane so I could refer to some spots I'd marked with bookmarks in an interview. I got the offer there.

d) I also check out any PR stuff they have online. That way, if a dean does interview me, I can say something intelligent about ,"Wow, I was really impressed with your coalition to serve the homeless. That seemed to really take off in May. How is that going now? Are you seeing any results?" Believe me, adm. really wants to think that their professors give a rat's ass. (Or at least look like you do in an interview).

e) I typed up interview questions I'd had before with shorthand answers. I went with this formula: What? (redefine the term to show you know it), How? (show how I'd use it in teaching) and Wow! (use a short example to show my success). Getting ahead on questions can only make you feel more prepared (and less nervous). I also list texts I'd recommend for certain classes (or essays I'd recommend) that show some diversity and knowledge. The trick there is to look like you can handle controversial topics with a head on your shoulders.

After typing this up, I realize I'm the biggest butt-kisser this side of the Mississippi. Forgive me. Oh, and since I'll be moving to the Midwest, I'm sure to be somewhat of a good brown-noser there, too. Sigh. Forgive me.

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[artscoolgirl]

 Thank you for taking the time to compile this information, I have been active with doing A, C & E but did not know about the other things.  I think having some photos and artwork/artist statement of each of the members is an excellent idea, and will help with the nerves.

[anon]

If you use the search function on this forum and put "phone interview" as a search in the subject line, you will find a TON of tips.  A link to search is sort of in the middle at the top of this pate (next to "Go to Topic")

[anotheron]

I've been offered two adjuncting positions at top-ranked institutions after phone interviews...  In both cases, they were 20-30 minute conversations only with the chair of the department focusing on my teaching experience and areas of expertise. In both cases, their questions were so general that it appeared that they were prepared to give me the job based on my other materials and this was just to check that I didn't sound insane. Adjuncting gigs are low stakes so I wouldn't get too too anxious or spend time preparing that could be spent on other important work.  (Disclaimer:  if this is a multi-class visiting position, I totally recommend preparing as if it were for a tt job, but if it is just to pick up a class or two, don't sweat it.)  GOOD LUCK!

[dr. joe]

I've had several phone interviews over the past six months, and believe me, they're not that tough.  The most important thing you can do is simply to be yourself  -- and not have canned answers.

A few points that you must be prepared:

1)  to know what courses the school offers and ones you'd like to instruct,

2)  to praise the academic mission of the school and

3)  to smile as you speak -- it comes across in the interview.

Lastly, punch in 'interview questions' in this search engine to see what others what said in the past forums.

Best of luck to you,

dr, joe

[Ms. Collegiality]

Wow, Rattus,

Your phone interview tips are great.

[rattus domesticus]

Yep, I'm a total butt kisser... at least in the interview. Heh heh heh! I'm evil! Before you know it I'll be introducing topics to write on such as "facial transplants--promise of heaven or medical nightmare?" or "corporate farming--just plain evil?" or "the anti-advertising backlash--promise of a new non-labeled future?" or the never-dull, "stencil revolution--the only way to express oneself today?" Whew. It's fun to be me.

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[Don't put yourself out]

This sounds like a lot of work to go to for an adjunct position--I mean, I can understand for a full-time gig wanting to really cover all your basis, but I don't thing artscoolgirl should go overboard.  I had a phone interview once for an adjunct job and all they really wanted to know was some information on my past teaching experiences.  If you are knowledgable regarding the course(s) you are interviewing to teach, you should do just fine in an interview of this nature.

[Sunshine]

I didn't prepare much for my one phone interview, which led to a campus interview and an offer for a t-t job, because the school gave me a whole 3 hours notice.  During those 3 hours, I refreshed my education and sought out answers to questions I thought they'd ask based on issues the head of the search committee happened to mention when she was explaining how the interview would be conducted.  Between the calls, then, I hurridly read a few online sites and called my advisor to ask about one specific concern the s.c. head had mentioned.

My second phone interview was an "I'll call you to talk about the position" phone call.  Right.  It was an interview and I had prepared nothing.  But I honestly sounded like confident me and talked with the search committee as a professional would.  What seemed to most impress them were my questions about how they do things on their campus.  In other words, I spoke as an experienced teacher who, although she had just finished a PhD and therefore was a new grad, still was concerned about 1) the students; 2) quality teaching; 3) diversity (racial and learning styles); and 4) how the institution treated the various levels of faculty members (adjucts to t-t and all in between).  They offered me the job a couple weeks later (with no campus interview due to $) and I took it.

Do a little homework; keep your cool; sound smart.  You'll do fine.

[Jennifer]

Rattus - awesome tips, as usual! I save all your posts, by the way, for future reference. I save others too from other posters, but you consistently inform me on things I didn't know about or wouldn't have thought of. I like the part about printing the bios and pictures and looking at them while talking!

I've also read that you should gesture as if you were talking in person so that you sound more natural.

I had one phone interview, and it was very casual, for my CC position. The Dean basically wanted to know why I wanted to teach math at all (he asked it jokingly, implying that no one in their right mind would want to!), and he wanted to know about my affiliation with the person who had referred me there. Then, he said to come in for a "talk", so I went, and he gave me three classes, and that was it! It was the easiest interview I'd ever been on! Ah, wouldn't that be nice for a full-time tt gig?

[artscoolgirl]

Thank you for these tips, as well as the other posts.  I just got offered the job, accepted and am so happy.

[artscoolgirl]

Thank you for this bit of advice.  I like to treat all intervivews like the have the possibility of becoming full time or tt.  It went well and I just got offered the position.  So I did something right.