SLA2016 : Secrets from the Search Committee

The Gates of Hell

Tina Franks - Your resume and CV:

• Clearly describe your qualifications and make the connections between what you have done and what they want you to do.
• Describe your skill set,your degrees, your additional professional development
• Describe your soft skills, e.g., customer service, working with diversity/the public 
• The search committee will look at required skills and decide you do or do not have those skills
• The search committee likely is going to score your cover letter and resume against the qualifications they have stated.  They will likely use those scores to decide on who will be invited for phone interviews.
• Remember if you don't say it,they can't score it.
• Include internships, volunteer experience and relevant course work.  May be okay to exclude non-relevant positions.
• Don't point out what you weaknesses are.  Point out your strengths.  They will figure out your weaknesses.
• Do you have a comparable qualification? If yes, point that out.
• Showcase your research and service - publications, presentations and organizations.

Tina Budzise-Weaver -Selecting professional references:

• Select people who know and like you
• Identify a client who can speak to your value
• Contact your references and make sure you remember who you are
• Email them your updated resume/CV
• Make sure they know that they might be contacted

Telephone or screening interviews:

• Be in a quiet setting
• If you need to practice, do that
• If it is a video interview, dress appropriately
• Ensure that your connection is clear
• Practice sample interview questions
• Pay attention to the questions asked, as it will be window into the organization culture and initiative 
• Listen for clues, and use that to ask questions
• Also use the information they give you to talk about how you can do "X"
• Have prepared questions. You might ask clarifying questions. 
• Be aware of the search committee's time constraint

The search committee will research you:

• The committee may look at your LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., if they are open for people to view.
• Makes those views of your professional

Leslie Reynolds - In-person interviews:

• Only 3-4 people are invited to come to campus and the odds are in your favor
• Consider the on-campus interview as a time to understand if you will fit into the organization
• You should have done your research, know something about the staff and the search so mitten, and have read the strategic plan.
• Created targeted questions.
• Expect a full-day interview, including the meals.  The meals are part of the interview.
• You will generally be given a topic to prepare a presentation on.  Know what the time limit is.  Ask who will be in the audience.  Fit into the time limit.  
• Make sure that the presentation makes sense and that you can demonstrate the expertise.
• Bonus points for tailoring your presentation to the organization.
• Your presentation performance should match their expectations
• Your presentation should be professional
• Be ready for technical difficulties
• Practice your presentation in front of other people.  Does the presentation make sense to them?
• Make good eye contact
• Acknowledge technical difficulties and work gracefully through them
• Ask questions of your audience.  They will ask you questions about your presentation,your CV, or about the position.
• Remember that you are gathering information to help you determine if you want the job.

Meet and greets:

• No matter who you interact with, be respectful and recognize that they are part of the interview process
• Have questions for them
• Prepare an "elevator pitch" or a short introduction
• Small talk is okay and can be important
• Answer questions completely but don't ramble
• If you did not get a schedule of who you are meeting with, ask for one
• It is okay to share personal information, but make sure it is information that you want to share

Every minute counts:

• Be rested
• Drink lots of water
• If there are not breaks on the schedule, ask for one
• Turn off your phone and don't look at your watch
• Don't distract yourself
• Other people will ensure that you stay on time
• Focus on the people who are right in front of you
• If you have any dietary restrictions, make sure to tell them upfront 
• Meals - make sure it is easy to consume and not messy
• If your host orders an alcoholic beverage, you can too if you want to, but do not get drunk 

We cannot ask, but can volunteer to disclose

• They can ask a our your experience and your work background
• You - the candidate - can disclose information if you choose to

The offer:

• Most offers are negotiable. Understand what is negotiable.  Prepare justifications.
• Asking for a little bit more will not make them rescind the offer.  However, be reasonable.  Being unreasonable may negate the offer.
• Consider the entire package
• Take time to review the offer and then talk to them again
• Make sure you want to job, before you say "yes"

Tina Franks

• The search committee wants you to succeed:
• Ask questions 
• Connect the dots of your experience
• The academic search process is slow.  Sometimes not all of the candidates remain available.  Don't panic if you don't hear anything right away.

Tina B-W

• Tie your experience into your presentation
• Rehearse your presentation
• Be friendly and polite to everyone you meet or interact with, even before the actual interview

Leslie

• Know why you want to job and why you are the best fit
• Proofread your resume and cover letter closely.  Limit typos

Tina F.

• Connect the dots for the search committee
• Eliminate any self barriers

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Updated: 06/17/2016