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[octoprof]

Good luck!

[prephd]

Tomorrow will be my marathon day. I need to send off three applications and finish compiling the materials for my upcoming sample lesson. It's such a broad topic (think "history of basketweaving from 1600-present") that I'm trying to be uber-selective about what I include in my one-hour slot. I need to include some hands-on component, but I'm trying to balance it so that it doesn't eat up the whole hour (which it could easily do).

[ann05]

I am trying to prepare for my rapidly upcoming on campus interview. Except I don't know what to prepare. So I'm kind of sketchily putting together everything they might possibly want me to do. And feeling so nervous that my stomach hurts.

[alleyoxenfree]

I completely overprepared for my first campus visit, and used none of it.  Getting good sleep, focusing on 3-5 pithy ways to characterize your strengths are good routes.  Make note cards about them and imagine the one or two questions each person is likely to ask and distill a good answer.  But all this is just to clear your head, because if you try to memorize, you will sound canned.  So just practice presenting what you do well, give them a clear way to view you, and try to be your best self - because you also want to get a sense of whether you can stand them.  Can these people be your colleagues for a few years?  Your future recommenders?  For a career?

[ann05]

I appreciate this. It's good advice. The problem is, I was given an indication that I would be giving a formal presentation as part of this. And yet no clear explanation of what. There is no standard "job talk" in my field. So if I knew whether they want research, teaching, a teaching demo, and how long they want me to talk for, I'd feel a lot better. :)

[alleyoxenfree]

Yow.  And no way to find that out?

The most serious thing for me was that I should have very nicely requested to change rooms when a family reunion erupted in the room next to mine and went on all night.  Bring earplugs in case the hotel is full.

[abdbcb]

ann05 - I suppose it is field specific, but it seems like you should be able to ask what is expected of the talk. I apply to a lot of different schools, and the job talk expectations are different. In each case (ok, in each of the three times I have been invited to campus) I was told some specifics - general presentation for undergrads, research discussion for PhD students and faculty, both a general overview and a specific presentation of diss. Very helpful in putting things together, obviously. It seems like a reasonable question to ask the SC, but I know that I would probalby be too nervous to ask it.

[ann05]

I did ask. They promised me an answer, but it didn't come. I don't want to keep asking and be the "needy" candidate.

[prof_smartypants]

They should definitely tell you.

Call them back under the ruse of asking how long your talk should be so that you can prepare.

THEN ask, would you prefer I do a teaching demo or focus on my research during my talk?

[prephd]

I did ask for specifics: number in audience, topic they'd like me to cover, whether it was in the context of an ongoing class, and if so, could I take a peek at the syllabus. I got quite a bit of information that made me feel more prepared. Don't be afraid to ask.

And, a riff on staples v. paperclips: I just used Simpsons stamps on the last two applications I sent out. Thoughts?

[glowdart]

I did ask. They promised me an answer, but it didn't come. I don't want to keep asking and be the "needy" candidate.

I've seen interviews where the SC was unclear about the nature of the talk, and all of candidates thus did something different, which was then blamed on the candidates rather than on the SC chair. 

So... what kind of school is it?  When is the visit?  And do you not have an itinerary yet?  I would call and ask for a tentative itinerary -- and then doublecheck the length, audience and purpose of your talk. 

How long ago did you last ask?  Is there a department admin assistant who has been handling your travel?  Contact that person rather than the SC chair.  Also, keep in mind that they might have a candidate on campus right now, so they may be swamped.  But call if you're within a few days of travel and don't have any info; I would give it a couple of days if you travel the week after next and last asked for a details late last week.  It could be that they want you to do a teaching demo but are having trouble tracking down a class that you can borrow for that demo which would fit into your teaching areas/ hiring areas. 

[alleyoxenfree]

I did ask. They promised me an answer, but it didn't come. I don't want to keep asking and be the "needy" candidate.

I've seen interviews where the SC was unclear about the nature of the talk, and all of candidates thus did something different, which was then blamed on the candidates rather than on the SC chair. 

So... what kind of school is it?  When is the visit?  And do you not have an itinerary yet?  I would call and ask for a tentative itinerary -- and then doublecheck the length, audience and purpose of your talk. 

These are good questions.  Keep in mind that having no very particular topic can also work for you.  If they say the topic is open, this can be a plus, depending on who they are - if they're not nuts as described above.  Because if the topic they give you is narrow, you can be dinged for not being sufficiently on topic or for approaching a topic in a way none of them were expecting.  This has happened to me.  Sometimes specific topic means you have a very narrow-minded set of listeners.  So clarify as much as you can and then let it be a time to let yourself shine, and see how that meshes with the institution and the people there.

[madhatter]

And, a riff on staples v. paperclips: I just used Simpsons stamps on the last two applications I sent out. Thoughts?

Thoughts: There are Simpsons stamps? I didn't know! Must go get some. Why did nobody tell me? Hey, the wife bought stamps for me recently -- flowery ones with hearts. Not Simpsons stamps. She must have seen them. Does she not love me any more? Must find divorce attorney...

[prephd]

Hey, the wife bought stamps for me recently -- flowery ones with hearts. Not Simpsons stamps. She must have seen them. Does she not love me any more? Must find divorce attorney...

Hearts and flowers? Clearly, divorce is in order.

[notaprof]

Hey, the wife bought stamps for me recently -- flowery ones with hearts. Not Simpsons stamps. She must have seen them. Does she not love me any more? Must find divorce attorney...

Hearts and flowers? Clearly, divorce is in order.

I use the Bart stamp on all the bills I pay. I wish he was pictured sticking out his tongue.   Otherwise, I sometimes buy stamps I don't like, just to put them on my bills.  For some reason, I feel like I am getting back at the credit card companies and the cell phone company etc.  I am certain they get my bills and know exactly what I think of them.  I believe in stamp voodoo.