Thread by @EconoTodd

#ASSA2019 advice for those outside top 30.

1. You are a valuable economist, don't let the hubbub of the conference convince you otherwise.

2. You'll probably be subjected to the table interviews. Yes, they suck, but also bad for interviewee. Bring A game regardless.

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3. Your teaching is premium, so be strategic how you lay out teaching philosophy. KNOW PROGRAM YOU'RE INTERVIEWING FOR!

Convince them your style is conducive to rigorous treatment but inclusive of learning styles.

avoid cliches: Don't say "flip the classroom" even once.

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4. Tell them your ideas! Smaller programs want to hear how you'll help take them to next level, bigger programs want you to fit into their ambitious culture. Either way, don't be flat footed, talk about that center you want to start or the podcast you want to introduce.

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5. Don't say "I'm student focused", explain how you are that way. What separates your student focused instruction from everyone who will try to say same thing? Don't SAY you're passionate, BE passionate about economics and instruction and it will show during interview.

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6. If tenure track, remember these folks are making a large investment in their hire, you have to provide evidence of short run and long run potential success. Talk both of next three years and next seven years. And make it plausible, they'll know if you're overselling.

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7. Talk about bringing your research into the classroom. At non-R1-R2 places this is probably as important as actual publishing. Explain why students will care about your research and why they'll want to take your classes. They want folks who fill up class rosters.

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8. Ask questions! If you leave interview without asking about class sizes, number of majors, classes they want you to teach, typical student type, etc, they'll assume you don't care.

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9. Regardless of intentions, no one wants to feel like a stepping stone. Be extra careful giving off this vibe. Again know who is interviewing you, if they're offering 4-4 teaching loads then your interview should appropriately weight research and instruction.

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10. Places are looking for a mix of high quality prof with someone who will stick around. Explain how your vision aligns with their department's. This isn't so much about maximizing professor talent as maximizing professor fit, subject to professor talent.

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11. You're going to want to mention service, both to department and school, especially for those folks at teaching schools. You usually get your first year off from official duty, but signaling you'd like to eventually sit on a Master Planning committee is great to hear.

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12. Come in with classes you want to design. And don't just say "game theory or energy economics". Detail an innovative course idea you have, show them you've thought about it. Something that will bring in majors and/or give existing majors something new.

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13. And try to be deferential when outlining your personal preferences. Remember current program, however designed, was designed by someone probably interviewing you. Suggestions can turn into criticisms quick, so contextualize your visions within current dept. confines.

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14. Some real practical stuff that I needed to be told:
- be thoughtful and reflective, don't cut people off to answer questions they haven't asked.
- be confident and proud, talk about your work/instruction positively.
- talk to everyone, not just person asking questions.

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