ASSA Interviews

1. ASSA Interviews Or “How not to go crazy in Chicago”

2. Pre-Interview • Calls for interviews will start coming usually after thanksgiving. • Get Organized! • Schedule for the meetings (1/2 hour blocks, starting at 8AM every day) • Hotel locations (it takes time to get there, elevators are VERY slow) • Interview codes (write them DOWN) • Ask who will be interviewing (and look them up). • Most Interviews last about 30 min. But be careful about scheduling back to back.

3. Attire • Men: Interview Suit (grey, blue, brown), white shirt, red tie (or purple, or possibly green). • Women: Interview Suit (grey, blue, brown), colored shirt (or white?), possibly a scarf (or tie?), matching shoes? (are you kidding me…I’m giving fashion advice to women???) • Look professional. Now is not the time to exert your individuality.

4. Preparation • Your Spiel: Research summary for GENERAL AUDIENCE • 1-2 min version (short abstract of JMP, why important) • 5 min version (Longer discussion of JMP, major contribution, why important, cool metrics, cool data, brief statement on other chapters) • 15 min version (more detail on JMP, other chapters, future research) • They should build on each other. • Teaching: what can you teach (upper division) • Basic format • Book?

5. The Interview: Basics • Get interview rooms/codes as soon as possible. • Be yourself (only better??) • Relax (as much as possible, see 1 above) • Get organized every morning: extra CV’s, JMP’s, look at schedule, plan lunch. • This is actually “fun”, so relax and enjoy it.

6. What they are looking for • Fire in the belly. • Engaged. • Is the research yours or your advisors? • Are you an economist? • Will you fit into their program? • Can you carry on a conversation, or is the flyback going to be painful. • Can they get along with you. • Are you interested in them?

7. Perspective • It’s a conversation. Be a part of it. In fact, try to be the center, without being rude and dominating. • Look at people, not the floor. Not the ceiling. Not your notes. • You should be able to be interrupted from you spiel, give an answer, and then get back on track. • Remember, you are claiming you are ready to be their colleague. Act like it. • Don’t be arrogant or a jerk. Don’t be a wuss either.

8. Structure 1: The Knock • Knock on door, introduce yourself to the person who answers it, and ask if they are ready for you. Don’t be late, don’t be early. • Shake hands etc with everyone in room, try to remember names (you’ve researched them). • Let them lead introductory chit-chat etc (how was your flight, it sucks that it’s raining) etc.

9. Structure 2: Research Question • “Tell us about your Research” • This is where you launch into your spiel • Start with 5 min one, but be prepared to keep going for up to 15 min (they may tell you, they may not). • Be prepared to get interrupted and answer questions. • It’s a conversation, not a lecture, be polite and responsive. “I don’t know” is acceptable, if followed up with “it seems like…” • NEVER EVER put down another’s research. • This will probably be the majority of the interview. • They will probably ask you what your research plans are. • Preempt: at the end of your spiel (one interesting question raised by my work is…I’d like to tackle that next)

10. Structure 3: Teaching • “What courses would you want to teach?” • Well, of course I can teach principles (duh at least one). • My research area is ________ so I’d like to teach _______. • I also have interests/expertise/coursework in _______ so I’d like to/could teach _______. • My dream course is __________. (maybe)

11. More Teaching • “If you taught ______, what would that course look like?” • You should be able to cite a book. Talk about major topics. • A little bit of teaching philosophy (don’t wax philosophical…)

12. Structure 4: They Talk • “Let us tell you a little bit about our program” • Listen, but stay engaged. • Ask a question …maybe two? It’s a conversation. • Listen (because they may answer questions you are about to ask). “Oh, cool, that was one of my questions”

13. Structure 5: Last Questions • “Do you have any questions for us?” • You should: “tell me about ….” • Place to live • Faculty interests • Computers • Time line • Etc etc etc (you’ve looked these people up during Christmas…you should have some). • You are trying to show interest.

14. Tough/Tricky Questions • How many interviews/with whom • You should be nice and give some kind of answer, make them think they are competitive, you don’t have to give away the farm though. • Are you married. • It’s illegal, I will be stunned if you actually get this. • “Is there anything else we should know about you” is code for that. • It’s not really nefarious. Usually, they want to know if there is a trailing spouse/joint search issue. • You don’t have to tell them. You could. Make them think it works to their advantage. • Weird questions. (what kind of tree?) • Be friendly, laugh if appropriate…etc • Be nice. Give an answer, don’t be a jerk. Shrug it off, don’t freak out. • Oak tree is always a good answer, maple is OK too.

15. Preparation is Key • Get your Spiel going NOW. • Do it for friends and family until they hate you. • Do it for strangers while Christmas shopping. • Do it at parties. • Talk to your advisor about likely questions (vis a vis research). • Prepare the outline for a few classes (not a syllabus, but an idea, complete with book). • Research the people and place a little.

16. Safety Net: • I will be at the meetings and I’ll give you a cell phone number. • We will do practice interviews: let us know when you get interviews at the meetings. • Help each other. • Room codes • Moral support • Logistical support (grab a sandwich for a friend) • I will schedule a dinner near the end of the ASSA meetings, including booze (my treat).