Hello everyone
On the plane ride back from Summer AMA in San Diego, I started writing a few
notes on the wild and wacky experience called "interviewing." The following
comments come from a sample of "one" and I ask for other members of this DocSIG
community to type down their experiences. It can only help other students get
through the "event."
To begin, EXPECT CHALLENGES. Every year has its unique challenges. Summer 2000
in Chicago had major elevator traffic. Summer 2001 had elevator problems AND
floods in the ground floor washing out rooms. Summer 2002 had what I
affectionately call "the tower syndrome." Very soon after I started calling
around to find out what rooms I be interviewing in, I quickly realize this hotel
had TWO towers that were a good 10 minute walk apart. Imagine this: a 2PM in the
East Tower, a 3PM in the West Tower, a 4PM in the East Tower, and a 5PM
reception in the West Tower (plus the main reception 5 to 7 PM in the East Tower
- my Sunday schedule sucked). Let's just say I didn't break in the shoes enough
before leaving for San Diego.
When in the interview, LET THEM LEAD. The interviewers (e.g., the school) 95%
of the time have a list of questions for you and they want to lead the interview
- - so let them. Remember while all our interviews will be different due to the
different schools, the interviewers tend to ask the same questions to each
candidate so they can compare the students.
When in the interview, LET THEM TALK. It may be the case that sometime during
the interview, the interviewers will talk among themselves so let them. Your
research may have generated some discussion and that's a good thing. It's
important to let the conversation flow as normal as possible and strong
interruptions on your part will seem out of place.
Be prepared for DEFENSIVE SHOCK QUESTIONS. I was surprise that a few schools
actually tried this in my interviews. The schools purposely asked a strongly
negative question to me to see how I would respond (e.g., make me response to an
uncomfortable question). The questions were one-sided and somewhat out of
place. It was almost so one sided that it almost begged for
the opposite response.
Don't start with the dissertation proposal UNLESS THEY ASK. Some schools will
spend 50% of the interview with dissertation questions. Most schools just want
to know (1) have you defended, (2) what stage are you in now, and (3) where do
you think the research will end up (e.g., the research contribution). This may
only take 5 to 10 minutes. If you crank out the model, hypotheses, etc., you
may lead yourself down a path (as they ask question after question) and then
your time is up - meanwhile you learned nothing about the school.
If you do not have a major reason why you would like to talk to the school, DO
NOT TAKE THE INTERVIEW. In short, you're wasting their time and your time and
both parties will realize this very quickly. In fact, I got this question first
90% of the time "So what made you apply to XYZ University?" The incorrect
response would be "XYZ is in my hometown." A better response would be "my
research areas match with the professors in the XYZ Marketing department."
Try not to book TOO MANY IN A ROW. Next year Summer AMA heads back to Chicago
so the "the tower syndrome" will be gone but the "elevator wait" will not. The
most I had in a row were three. I was OK through the third interview but I was
happy I did not have a fourth in a row. In addition, make time to eat lunch
otherwise you will not have the energy to get through the day.
Try not to evaluate "GOOD OR BAD" right after the interview. You may have
another one right after and you may not want to drag emotions from the previous
meeting into the new meeting. You'll have plenty of time at night or on the
plane ride home to think about all the interviews.
Prep for EACH MEETING. Thank god for the Web. It's so easy now days to hit the
department's web page a print out everyone's vitas. In fact the schools expect
it because so many students do pre meeting background digging. I had a folder
for each school with the times and room number of the meeting on the top tab.
Finally, RELAX. Most of the schools just want to have a conversation with you.
They (more than you) want to determine the FIT between the student and the
department.
IN THE END, just get your thank you notes out and work on your dissertation. In
could be 4 to 6 weeks before you hear anything back.
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this "process" we have to go
through.
Best regards
Past-President, DocSIG
Dano Ladik
University of South Florida
I got this article from a
colleague at GSU and it is actually by a current faculty here. For those of us
who just survived the "Twin towers plus Lanai area syndrome" of AMA 2002 and
those eager to experience Chicago elevator rush of 2003, and future ones, this
article might help for our next step:
Mark W. Johnston, Terry Clark, and James Boles (1989) "An exploration of choice
criteria used in the selection of a first academic position among new doctorates
in marketing," Journal of Marketing Education, Spring 1989, 14-21.
Frank
"Frank" Tian Xie
Doctoral Candidate, Marketing
Robinson College of Business
Georgia State University
35 Broad Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-651-1931 (Office)
404-651-4198 (Fax)
xie@gsu.edu
www.student.gsu.edu/~txie
Truthfulness Benevolence Forbearance
Another thought, take notes about each school or they will start to run together. Most schools do not mind if you do this during the interview, or take notes right after each interview (another reason not to schedule them back to back). This will help you remember what each school offers if and when they call you again.
Jennifer A. Pope
Doctoral Candidate
The University of Texas-Pan American
jpope@panam.edu
956-316-7138
Hi everybody,
I really loved Dan's and others thoughts about this memorable experience. I just
wanted to give an additional and personal opinion......however very much in line
with previous comments.....I guess French people love to talk....
Do not overbook and only interview with the schools you are really interested
in. It will allow you to be more prepared (very important), to have talks
that are actually really interesting and to simplify your and their decision on
a possible future engagement. Also, and more important, it will probably make
this experience much more enjoyable, you will not be that stressed by impossible
schedules and give you a great opportunity to meet potential future colleagues.
Last but not least, in retrospect, this year's AMA was for me a great and fun
moment (tiring tough....), I enjoyed it much more than expected, it gave a
chance to meet or see great people and to exchange with passion about my
work.....so overall, great......except maybe that I could only enjoy San Diego
on a very limited basis (minimum 1 hour stop at the pool in 5 days....). So get
ready for next year, but relax, prepare and BE YOURSELF....
Frank
Frank Pons
PhD Student,
Concordia University,
Montreal, Canada.
(o)514-848-2738
(f)514-848-4593