next »

[histchick]

I experienced my first "ambush" phone interview yesterday.  I thought that it was someone from the school who was calling to schedule an initial interview, but no, it was the entire SC on the phone.  They were doing a "secondary" screening of applications. I thought I answered the questions adequately (there were only three, which were pretty standard...), but I didn't knock it out of the park.  Given that I figured that job was long gone, I was surprised to get the call.  That said, I'll be more prepared next time. 

Are these types of unscheduled phone interviews standard practice? Personally, I think it's awkward for the applicant AND the SC, but at least they called...

[watermarkup]

An ambush phone interview like that is a fairly scummy thing to do, in my opinion. That being said, every time a member of the SC calls you to set up an interview, they can't help but try to pick up clues about the applicant simply out of curiosity. It makes for a long 3-6 months or more, trying to sound perky and professional whenever the phone rings.

[quirkus]

This happened to me, for the job I have now (and am leaving). I should have taken the hint. The ambush interview was a sign of a disorganized SC, dysfunction in the department, and a void in leadership on the part of the chair. Just the first in a long line of things that have culminated in my getting the H-E-double-toothpicks outta here.

They're probably doing this to everyone, histchick, so your relative aplomb may put you ahead of the people with lame voicemail messages and those with nasty head colds. Good luck in the job search.

[histchick]

This happened to me, for the job I have now (and am leaving). I should have taken the hint. The ambush interview was a sign of a disorganized SC, dysfunction in the department, and a void in leadership on the part of the chair. Just the first in a long line of things that have culminated in my getting the H-E-double-toothpicks outta here.

They're probably doing this to everyone, histchick, so your relative aplomb may put you ahead of the people with lame voicemail messages and those with nasty head colds. Good luck in the job search.

Point(s) taken.  Thanks to both of you, pirkus and watermarkup, for the comments.  I wondered, too, if this was a college-mandated SOP or the SC's choice.  It's a CC, and I've found that these things tend to be more standardized that those I observed as a grad student.

[grasshopper]

I have had THREE ambushes over the most recent application cycle - two phone, and one in-person (although the phone ambushes were just the chair, not the entire committee). The in-person ambush happened when I was on-campus, and they decided to interview me for a different job as well as the one I was there for. I knew they were hiring for that second position, but I hadn't prepared anything, so I was pretty much just pulling stuff out of my ass.

[all_my_frenemies]

[...] I hadn't prepared anything, so I was pretty much just pulling stuff out of my ass.

At least that suggests it was pretty well digested at that point!

[ruralguy]

Not normal at all, although I have to admit, sheepishly, that on my first SC, I did this. I learned my lesson.

Its more standard now especially with email and all to ask the candidate for the best time to set up an interview.

[harlow]

Happened to me, too, but I blew it.  By way of consolation several people who knew the department told me it was also a dysfunctional department (sour grapes did help me recover my embarrassment at fumbling).  As others indicate, it's not a pattern of behavior that one wants to encounter once one is on the tenure track either.

[mended_drum]

It happened to me as well, but only once.  I learned that if someone on an SC asks, "Do you have a few minutes?" to be in the middle of something but available in half an hour or so.

[marigolds]

It happened to me as well, but only once.  I learned that if someone on an SC asks, "Do you have a few minutes?" to be in the middle of something but available in half an hour or so.

This.  Or don't pick up unfamiliar numbers and call them back when YOU are ready.

Apparently this is pretty standard practice in other types of hiring, and our Career Center counsels my undergrads to screen all calls when job apps are out for this reason.

[histchick]

It happened to me as well, but only once.  I learned that if someone on an SC asks, "Do you have a few minutes?" to be in the middle of something but available in half an hour or so.

This.  Or don't pick up unfamiliar numbers and call them back when YOU are ready.

Apparently this is pretty standard practice in other types of hiring, and our Career Center counsels my undergrads to screen all calls when job apps are out for this reason.

The sad part is that I knew who was calling - but I thought it was a phone call (perhaps from HR or the SC chair) to set up a campus visit, which has been my previous experience. 


A colleague said that this may indicate something negative about the dept. or the institution.  Thoughts?

[oatmeal]

OP--I am sure it not anything to do with negative things in the department. There could be other reasons. Try to remain positive. I don't have any experience with CC but perhaps they were just very pressed for time. I am very surprised, though, that SCs conduct "ambush" interviews (I do not like that term though I can see the point of it). I have never heard of such a thing in over 13 years and I would never do such a thing (as a SC chair for several positions). As someone else noted, every time someone from a SC talks to you, it is part of the interview process. Some candidates forget that. May you will get the position. I assume you are in History? Good luck.

[dr_alcott]

A colleague said that this may indicate something negative about the dept. or the institution.  Thoughts?

Well, I think it does. Our department (at a CC) would never do such a thing.

[histchick]

I am very surprised, though, that SCs conduct "ambush" interviews (I do not like that term though I can see the point of it).

I prefer the term "hit and run interview" myself, but a few more experienced mentors called it "ambush." 

Oatmeal - yes, History (hence the reliance on previous experience, I suppose).  Thanks for the good wishes!  I'm in a non-TT position right now that I really enjoy, so there's no worries despite the as-yet-unknown outcome.  In any case, it's good experience for next time, and I'll learn from the past and apply to it to TT future!

HC

[larryc]

A colleague said that this may indicate something negative about the dept. or the institution.  Thoughts?

Maybe maybe not. I would not read too much into it.