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Post by All new to me on Oct 17, 2011 16:31:33 GMT -5
I am trying to generate a list of questions to ask at various stages: when informed I'm on a short list, during the interviews, etc. I know there are some resources out there on this subject, but I wondered if more experienced candidates might have favorite or particularly important questions to share with those with less experience. Thanks in advance.
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Post by aaaaa on Oct 17, 2011 16:39:03 GMT -5
I am trying to generate a list of questions to ask at various stages: when informed I'm on a short list, during the interviews, etc. I know there are some resources out there on this subject, but I wondered if more experienced candidates might have favorite or particularly important questions to share with those with less experience. Thanks in advance. I think one of the most informative questions I've asked on fly out interviews is "how do you see X department/X department's role in your institution" when meeting administrators. If you can read between the lines you can get invaluable information about the department and the institution (information that often the faculty in the department itself is unaware of). |
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styles
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by styles on Oct 17, 2011 20:42:11 GMT -5
All Faculty
Departmental Politics:
-Is the governing structure in the department informal or formal?
-What do you see as the general state of the Department?
-Are there factions in the department (areas of interest, methodology)?
-Are there any pressing issues that I might want to be aware of?
Departmental and University facilities and resources:
-Is there secretarial assistance for faculty? And what does that involve?
-What about resources for making copies?
-What are the library resources like?
-Are faculty provided with computing systems (desktops, laptops, printers)
Research:
-What is the level of collaboration among faculty on research?
-What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Dept in facilitating research?
-Does the department provide financial support for conferences?
Tenure and Promotion:
-What is the department’s history and criteria for tenure and promotion?
Department Workload:
-Committee Service Load?
Teaching:
-Course load? Graduate? Undergraduate?
-How much input does faculty have on what they teach?
-Aside from methods and statistics, what would you like me to teach?
-What courses are students asking for but are not currently being offered?
Junior Faculty (only):
-What the relations between junior and senior faculty?
-What is your take on the fairness of evaluations and raises?
-What is the tenure and promotion process?
-Is there competition among junior faculty?
-Are there special benefits for new faculty when they came?
-course reductions
-service load reductions
-moving costs and/or extra salary
-computers, printers, etc
Department Chair:
-Is the governing structure in the department informal or formal?
-What do you see as the general state of the Department?
-Are there factions in the department (areas of interest, methodology)?
-Are there any pressing issues that I might want to be aware of?
-What is the financial health of the department?
-What is the financial health of the university?
-What is the position of the department in the university?
-What is the position of the college in the university?
-What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Dept in facilitating research?
-Does the department provide financial support for travel to conferences? What is the policy?
-Is seed money and small grants available through the university and/or department?
-What is the course load? Grad? Undergrad?
-What is the departmental service load look like?
-Is there sabbatical for junior faculty?
-Are there any benefits for new faculty?
-course reductions
-service load reductions
-moving costs and/or extra salary
-PCs and other computing equipment
-What is the evaluation process for faculty?
-What is the process for contract renewal?
-What is history and criteria for tenure and promotion in the department and the college?
-What does the salary look like?
-What about other benefits (health, childcare)?
-What is the time frame and process on making decisions about the job offer: from your standpoint and mine?
Dean (or other administrator):
-What is the financial health of the university?
-What is the financial health of the department?
-What is the position of sociology department in the university?
-What is the position of the college in the university?
-What is the evaluation process for faculty?
-What is the process for contract renewal?
-What is history and criteria for tenure and promotion in the department and the college?
-Is seed money and small grants available through the university?
-What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Dept in facilitating research?
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styles
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by styles on Oct 17, 2011 20:45:09 GMT -5
Also I developed the following questions to ask graduate students:
-So tell me a little bit about the department….what are the strengths and weaknesses?
-What are the relations among students—competitive?
-What are the relations between students and faculty? Are their doors open to you?
-Do faculty work with students on research projects (articles)?
-What areas of expertise are missing from the department?
-What courses would you like but are not currently offered?
-Does the department support graduate students in their research (going to conferences)?
-Are graduate students well funded in terms of RA’s and TA’s?
-Do graduate students teach?
So, what’s fun to do in _____ and the surrounding areas?
Do you have questions for me? What do you want to know about me? If I came here what would you want me to bring to the table?
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Post by advancedassistant on Oct 17, 2011 20:49:25 GMT -5
These are very useful--thank you styles!
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Post by once a student on Oct 18, 2011 8:11:29 GMT -5
I think Styles' questions are right on target. When I was a grad student a candidate asked us exactly the same questions, delivered in a cheerful manner while still remaining professional (not one of "us"), yet relatable and interested in our needs (or predicaments). We spoke with many candidates through the years and she is always the one I remember because she was so prepared, and we genuinely felt like she would be a great fit for us, not just the faculty or university.
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