Masks on interviews?

[Got an interview!]

Are people wearing masks during interviews? I am planning to wear one on then plane but I don't wear them at school at home and really hate them. And I think I would be more confident without one. But I also live in a red state (where nobody wears them) and am interviewing in a very blue state, so I'm not sure what the norms are like in places where abortion is still legal. Are people wearing masks during interviews? During job talks and teaching demos? Should I just feel it out when I get there?

[You can ask]

Oct 22, 2022 8:24:27 GMT -5 Got an interview! said:

Are people wearing masks during interviews? I am planning to wear one on then plane but I don't wear them at school at home and really hate them. And I think I would be more confident without one. But I also live in a red state (where nobody wears them) and am interviewing in a very blue state, so I'm not sure what the norms are like in places where abortion is still legal. Are people wearing masks during interviews? During job talks and teaching demos? Should I just feel it out when I get there?

Congrats on the interview! You should do whatever you feel most comfortable with. I work in a red state, but I still am masking. I also have colleagues who are immunocompromised and are masking in the classroom as well. So, if that’s the case here, it’s definitely possible that people are still masking in blue states as well.

For clarification, you can just ask the search chair. “I had a question about COVID-safety protocols and current norms in the department. Would people prefer that I wear a face mask during the visit? I’ll plan to pack accordingly. Thank you in advance”

[Read the situation]

This shouldn’t be so hard. Definitely pack some masks and keep one in your pocket at all times. Read the room and adjust accordingly. Norms are constantly shifting situationally, maybe people only wear them in tight quarters or around particular individuals. It’s your job to pick up on those cues and respond (defer) accordingly. That has always been the case for a variety of interactions on an interview.

And drop the red-state/blue-state bs. Most political issues are divided along urban/rural lines, and most academics come from (or at least did their graduate work in) larger urban areas. They often perceive their campuses as liberal oases no matter where they are located.

[Read the situation]

Two more examples of reading the room for interactional norms:

“We are more casual and know each other on a first-name basis.” Except that everyone always refers to one dean by her title instead of as Mary. When you meet her, you probably shouldn’t address her for the first time as Mary unless she invites you to do so.

“You will give your 45 minute presentation and then we will have a 15 minute Q&A.” Expect at least one faculty member to interrupt you in the first 10 minutes with a challenging statement. Maybe that won’t happen, but don’t let it throw you off your game. Prepare yourself with some way to respond and retake command of the room.

[111]

I'm bringing a mask with me, but I don't expect to wear it. Read the room like others said.

[Guest88]

I’m one of the few people in my department still masking. I’m in a red state but think that masking rates are also increasingly low in blue state departments. I really appreciate it when people I meet with put on a mask in one on one meetings when they see me masking, just as a matter of courtesy. But like I’m also not going to punish you for not doing it. Don’t overthink it. As others have said, just read the local norms and have a mask on hand.

[masking]

I plan on wearing a mask during my campus visit.

[just ask]

I had to wear a mask because I'm immune-compromised so I asked about the department policy beforehand (and gave them a heads-up that I would mask, but didn't expect people to mask if they didn't want to). A simple, "what is the university and/or departmental policy?" should suffice. It's a reasonable question.