Acing the Academic Interview: From Job Talks to Informal Conversations (Academic Job Search Series)

Academic interviews extend far beyond the formal job talk. From one-on-one faculty meetings to meals, hallway conversations, and campus visits, every interaction can shape how candidates are evaluated.

In this session of the Academic Job Search Series, Humanities and Social Sciences PhD students and postdocs will gain behind-the-scenes insight into how academic interviews actually work. Drawing on their recent experiences on the job market and on hiring committees, panelists will discuss what search committees look for at each stage of the interview process, how candidates can prepare strategically for job talks and meetings, and how to navigate informal interactions with confidence and professionalism.

Each panelist will share their perspective during a focused 30-minute time window, offering concrete advice on presenting your research, communicating your teaching philosophy, and staying grounded throughout an often high-stakes process.

Panelists:

• Nicholas Anderson ('21 PhD Political Science), Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, The George Washington University

• Françoise Hamlin ('04 PhD African American Studies), Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies, Brown University

This session is designed for PhD students and postdocs preparing for faculty interviews or planning to enter the academic job market in the near future.

About the Series: The Academic Job Search Series is a monthly event series that prepares GSAS students and postdocs across all five academic divisions for the academic job market. Each session focuses on a critical aspect of the faculty job search, offering practical strategies, expert guidance, and insights to help students navigate the process and build successful academic careers. 

Promotional support for this event is provided by the Yale Alumni Association (YAA). Also: we urge you to seek mentors on Yale’s online community-building platform: Cross Campus.

Yale Office of Career Strategy (OCS) - GSAS & Postdocs | Website | View More Events
Co-hosted with: GSAS Professional Development, Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, Poorvu Center: Graduate Writing Lab, Yale Postdoctoral Association (YPA), Office for Postdoctoral Affairs

Contact the organizers