Post Academic

If you’re getting jittery because your MLA interviews are but hours away and you’re too paralyzed to do anything but read Post Academic for some reason, you might as well take a look and tick off what’s on our handy little checklist below.  For real, nuts-and-bolts advice, check out this great post from On the Fence by our blog friend Eliza Woolf and this piece from Inside Higher Ed by Claire Potter (aka Tenured Radical) on MLA and AHA convention interviews.  One note of caution about Tenured Radical’s piece: Do prep your dissertation spiel, but be forewarned that it’s not always the ice-breaker question and might appear in a less explicit form, at least for MLA interviews.  Just be flexible and don’t automatically go into rote memorization robot mode right when you step in the room — my first ever interview question was to describe my best undergrad experience, which was not anything anyone prepared me for.

1. Do you know where to go for your interviews and when? Think this one’s obvious?  I had a friend who once missed an interview because she had the wrong time written down.  Also, hotel suites can change, so check in at the job information center and maybe have a contact email/cell number ready.

2. Did you turn off your cellphone? Once you know where you’re going and everything’s set, be sure to turn off your cellphone.  The Search Committee might take calls to, you know, make lunch plans, but you sure as heck shouldn’t.

3. Did you bring a pad of paper and pen? Like we wrote last time, look interested!

4. Did you bring your sample syllabi? And be sure to bring enough for everyone!

5. Do you have your prepped questions for the search committee? Committees usually give you a chance to ask questions.  Use the time wisely to catch your breath and take control of the interview for at least a little bit.  Good questions also show that you’ve done your homework.

6. Did you bring your emergency bottle of water? If you’re a germaphobe like me, bring your own water.  And if you’re not, bring your own water because they might not have any for you.  You can always take a sip and use it as a time-out to collect yourself — just don’t do it *too many* times.

7. Did you pee? If you did bring your own water, don’t drink too much of it!  And be prepared in advance in case you do.

Good luck!