Career Services Office
Conference Interviews
Many disciplines do a great deal of interviewing at large national conferences. These interviews are typically screening interviews—an opportunity for employers to quickly learn firsthand about a multitude of applicants. Sometimes you might be contacted in advance of a conference interview (generally because you have already sent preliminary application materials) and other times you might not know you have the opportunity to interview until you arrive at the conference, see a list of departments recruiting candidates, and select a time slot. Conferences often have job boards on which candidates may sign up for interview times with various institutions. When signing up, allow yourself plenty of time between interviews and other conference events. Interviews sometimes take place in meeting rooms, but more often occur in hotel rooms or suites. Take care that you determine the site of your interview well in advance of the actual event.
Conference interviews are obviously much shorter than on-campus interviews, usually lasting about half an hour. They are administrated by a smaller number of personnel, and you will usually not be critiqued by all members of the search committee during this interview. Beware that you may have the opportunity to meet other representatives from the interviewing college or university at other conference events, so prepare to be "on" for the entire event.
Prepare for a conference interview as you would for any other interview: dress professionally in clothing appropriate to your discipline, research the position, department and university, and try to be yourself. Because conference interviews are so short, there is little time to assess all elements of your compatibility with a position, but it is a good opportunity for search committees to evaluate your personality and potential "fit" into the campus and departmental climate.
Unlike the on-campus interview, the expenses of the preliminary conference interview are your responsibility.
