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[on my way. maybe.]

I'm currently in my 3rd year as an assistant prof. I have an interview at a university closer to where I want to live. I'm no longer an eager grad student looking for a first job, and I'm guessing the process will be rather different than those previous experiences. So--a few questions.

1. Is it appropriate to ask during the interview about what making the jump would mean for my tenure clock? Or is this something that would be more appropriate to wait on if/until they make me an offer?

2. I'm currently in the middle of a big new research project. Is it okay to use that for my job talk--even though I'm still in the early stages? My dissertation research is now sort of old, worn, & published...

3. I like my current job; I am looking to move only because of my geographic preferences and I have only good things to say about my current employer. Will the search committee doubt whether I am really serious about leaving if I don't bad-mouth or speak slightingly of my current institution?

4. What else, besides all the regular job stuff, should I know/ask as someone who would possibly be coming in as a slightly advanced asst prof?

Thanks in advance for your help & suggestions.

[%sig%]

[Search Committee Member]

3. Do not badmouth your current university even if you hate it. Also do not emphasize "where I want to live." Do speak about the positive benefits to you and your research and teaching from the school that's interviewing you: program, facilities, students, opportunities for cooperating with other faculty, nearby libraries/archives/whatever it is you use, new areas they're developing, etc. (Of course you can mention that you have reasons for wanting to live in the area, but when asked "why do you want to move?" -- a question you probably WILL be asked -- do not say "I like the skiing" or whatever.

2. Of course use your new project -- but do make sure it's ready for prime time. (The worst job talks I've heard, bar none, have been from relatively advanced candidates seeking to move who talk about research they "want" to do but haven't done a literature search or phrased their research questions; often they're describing something that's already been done, for that matter, or they reveal that they don't know the basic resources for the area.)

3. A considerate chair will mention the question of the tenure clock. If that doesn't happen, wait for the offer. And do make SURE you want to have a shortened clock -- will you be ready to meet tenure requirements at this school three years from now? Generally if one agrees to come in with three years on the clock, there's no chance to renegotiate this number later.

4. We expect people with two or three years experience to have thoughts about developing programs, new directions for our offerings, etc; or at least we ask those questions, as in "what sort of direction do you think the undergraduate major in [whatever] should be moving in the next decade?" This doesn't mean we want someone to criticize everything we're doing, but it does mean that (in actuality) majors do tend to get revised every ten years or so, and we do really want new faculty to have some ideas about what other schools are doing, and we expect experienced faculty to have begun thinking in those terms now that they've had a chance to think beyond their own research specialty and see how undergraduate programs work. This goes double if the school has a graduate program. Do remember that the junior administrative jobs (director of undergraduate studies, advising coordinator, etc.) tend to go to the newly-promoted associate professors: that could be you real soon if you come in with some credit towards tenure, and you need to show that you're not thinking like a grad student any more.

[NeuroticDoc]

1. I might gently probe on this issue but would likely wait for them to bring it up.  Otherwise, leave it for the negotiation.  The downside to pushing it is that they may think that you won't move unless you get time toward and maybe you are willing to start over to make the move you want (I did, with more seniority than you and I don't regret it -- yes I got tenure).

2. Yes.  It is what you are excited about and you want to show that side of yourself.  If your old work is tired your presentation of it will be tired. Just preface the presentation so that you are sure they understand where you are at in the process.  The other benefit is that it shows that you are moving past your dissertation.

3. Talking down your current position is a mistake anyway.  Highlight that you are fine with where you are at but that this place is more to your liking.

4. All of the same things that you would be concerned about if it were your first job.  However, you might want to better understand how your past work might be considered in your tenure case (but I would not push this terribly hard until I had an offer.

[LarryC]

1. Wait for the offer, but do not expect your prior experience to count at all towards tenure at your new institution.
2. Your new research, definitely.
3. Under no circumstances say a single bad word about your current situation.  The #1 question on the SC's minds are "Does this guy want to move because he is negative and hard to get along with?" Spin it positive: "I enjoy my current situation and appreciate the start that they gave me in this profession.  But I think your school would be a better fit because...." Again, NOT A WORD of negativity.
4. Same as for anyone else, but the SC will hold you to a higher standard as to your teaching, professionalism, and general polish.