I SURVIVED THE ACADEMIC INTERVIEW:

1
I SURVIVED THE ACADEMIC INTERVIEW AN APPLICANTS
POINT OF VIEW
Daniel Michele, PhD Department of Molecular and
Integrative Physiology Department of Internal
Medicine University of Michigan dmichele_at_umich.edu
http//sitemaker.umich.edu/michelelab
2
Most common burning questions from my
post-doctoral colleagues

• How did you know it was time to start applying
  for jobs?
• 2. How did the interview process work..when did
  you
• talk about this or that?
• 3. How do you negotiate the job offer?
• 4. Now that you have gone through this do you
  have
• any advice for me?

Transition from Postdoc to Jr. Faculty Surviving
the Initial YearsTues. April 4800-1000 AM
3
How did you know it was time to start applying
for jobs?

• Ask yourself
• 1. Does my CV display an INTRIGUING LEVEL of
• accomplishment?

2. Considering everything I am doing right
now, will my CV IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY
in the next 1-2 years?

• Do I have the INDEPENDENCE AND CREATIVITY
• to ensure my own success?
• - mentor needs to be supportive of this
  answer

4
How did the interview process work?

• 1. Standard format
• Apply usually between September and January
• 1st interview seminar, meet faculty and
  chair
• 2nd interview meet more faculty, negotiate
  space and offer
• Variations on theme
• 3rd visit find a place to live, bring family
  
• chalk talk usually in second visit, discuss
  aims of first grant
• 3. Juggling multiple interviews
• 1st choice second?
• be honest and upfront

5
What is my advice for you?
My two main goals

• CONVINCE THEM that I am the right person for the
  job
• 2. CONVINCE MYSELF that this is the right place
  for me

• Mostly the 1st interview
• -Mostly the 2nd interview

6
Convincing them that I am the right person for
the job
What are they looking for? 1. first and
foremost an outstanding research
scholar, mentor, and teacher 2. a person
with defined research goals 3. a colleague
who will contribute to the environment of the
department
7
Convincing them that I am the right person for
the job
1. first and foremost an outstanding research
scholar, mentor, and teacher
Your BEST SEMINAR EVER!! -commit first 3 slides
to memory -end with 5-10 minutes of future
directions to simulate Qs -leave at least
5-10 minutes for discussion -show
excitement!!--Eureka moment -TELL A STORY,
not everything you have ever done, lt35 slides
8
Convincing them that I am the right person for
the job
2. a person with defined research goals
2. a person with defined research goals
-have a five year plan ready your first NIH
grant
-have a five year plan ready your first NIH
grant
3. a colleague who will contribute to the
environment of the department - research
each person your talking with - open
opportunities for collaboration
9
Determining if this is the right place for me

• Is it the right balance of research and teaching?
• How do they support the career development of
• young faculty?
• 3. Do the resources support MY RESEARCH
  interests?
• Are there colleagues here that I can interact
  with?
• Is the start-up package competitive and
  sufficient to
• support my research for three years, and can I
  keep
• what I dont spend?

10
Determining if this is the right place for me
How to find the answers 1. Establish a
dialogue with the chair, if you cant now
will you ever be able to? 2. Request to
interview with ASSISTANT PROFESSORS and ask
them 3. Research the environment and come
with questions 4. Ask your current boss or
chair what start-up packages are reasonable
5. Draw up a fairly detailed budget -shows your
serious and you know what you need -shoot for
20-30 above what you can survive on
11
Some final tips and advice

• It does not hurt to be friendly emails, thank
  yous
• 2. Dont talk about things you dont like
  positive spin
• There is no such thing as an ideal job be
  flexible
• 4. Dont forget that science is only one part of
  your life

12
Some resources I found useful while I
was interviewing and starting out -

• Free
• 1. Making the right moves - HHMI and BWF by
  far the best
• http//www.hhmi.org/grants/office/graduate/lab_boo
  k.html
• This site developed more after I interviewed
• http//sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_devel
  opment
• Books
• Academic Scientists At Work by Boss and Eckert
• -somewhat basic but inclusive of all career
  steps
• -CDrom with forms for comparing jobs, making
  budgets
• At the Helm A Laboratory Navigator by Barker
• -somewhat basic but interesting discussion
• of lab environment and personnel issues