Thread by @jesbattis

Academic interviews are now year-round, but a lot of them are happening now. Here's a template for common questions asked & some potential responses:

1. "What draws you to [X period/area]?"
Answer doesn't have be chronological (i.e. from undergrad to now). Give specific examples--research and teaching you've done that made you think about the area. A few specific things you love about it & how you show students that.

2. "What is your secondary area?"
You can cheat and say you have 2 other areas, but give specific examples (e.g., "I also teach in [X] and am developing research in [Y]." Explain how this comes back to your primary area as well & translate it to the classroom.

3. "How will you contribute to our program?"
Make sure you know how the program works. Pick out a few specific details (e.g., "I have a class that would work well for your minor in X"). Show how you uniquely approach some of their specific elements/requirements.

4. "How does your research combine with your teaching?"
The answer is never: it doesn't. Give some examples of how you integrate research into 1st, 2nd, 3d year classes (e.g., "I include a bit of 19thc lit in my composition class so we can discuss vocabulary").

5. "What's the most important research in your field?"
Don't summarize the field. Pick 1 or 2 authors whose work your cherish & explain how you'd communicate that to students. Focus on social significance of their work & how it relates to *your* work. Situate yourself.

6. "How would you teach X, Y, Z classes?"
Come in with 2-3 ready examples of classes within their dept. Show how you'd spin them while making content accessible. Give a brief example of an assignment. Avoid listing texts--focus on impact and goals of course.

7. "How do you deal with failure in the classroom?"
Give an example of something that went mildly wrong, and show how you responded. Don't vent about students or the discipline. Don't use this as a soul-searching session. They want to know problem/solution.

8. "How do you deal with the needs of additional language-learners?"
Give a specific example--not just that you're supportive. Explain how an assignment or lecture takes these needs into consideration. Assume that *many* students are EAL, not just a few, and plan for this.

9. "How will you contribute to service in the department?"
Research a few of their committees & explain how you'd contribute to them. Not just exciting committees--day-to-day ones too. Helping w/conferences. Managing TAs. Offer concrete examples that reference experience.

10. "Where do you see your work going in the next 3-5 years?"
Discuss a project you're working on now, and how it connects with a proposed future project. Think through how you'll do this work, and how it would connect w/the school, even if it feels theoretical.

11. "How does your work go beyond the university?"
Lots of variations on this question. Discuss public talks, outreach, online & accessible writing, even social media (if you're using it as an academic tool). Have a few out-of-classroom examples ready.

12. "Do you have questions for us?"
THIS. IS. IMPORTANT. Have a few specific questions which demonstrate you've researched their program. Focus on inquiring about where you might be needed or ask about resources for students. Don't ask about salary/permanence/tenure.

Balance answers between teaching/research. If there's a secondary interview on teaching, you can still include how you integrate research in the classroom. But know the audience too. If it's primarily a teaching position, stay focused on that. Make your research practical.

If you don't know how to answer a question--pause to think about it. Offer a teaching/research example that might get at what they're asking. Don't go with a vague answer--err on the side of specific. Don't say "that's a hard question." They know. Answer as best you can.

Bring in notes, and remember to LOOK AT THE NOTES. You'll be nervous and forget. But you don't have to be smiling/making eye contact the whole time. Pause to consult your notes w/examples. You can even mark examples you've already given & move on to new ones (have LOTS).

Don't be afraid to ask how many questions there will be. If there are 10 questions, you can go into a lot of detail. If there are 15, less so. If there are 20...be concise. Give your example and move on. It's ok to check the time. 5 minutes to each question is often enough.

Self-care: make sure you've eaten and that you have water. Don't over-caffeinate. Try to ensure you got sleep beforehand (if possible). If you have sensory issues, focus on something neutral (say, a colored folder). Breathe. Remember: they chose you bc you're qualified.