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Prepare for Interviews and Offers

No matter what the industry, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students can expect to undergo interviews when applying for jobs. Follow our tips for preparing for both non-academic and academic interviews.

Dress for Success

Did you know that hiring decisions can be made within the first few minutes of your interview? This underscores the importance of dressing appropriately!

How you dress for a job interview can significantly impact your first impression.

Your attire communicates your motivation, judgment, professionalism, and how well you fit into the organization's culture. To enhance your chances of success, dress appropriately and demonstrate respect for the company's values. During interviews, it's advisable to dress slightly more conservatively and formally than the typical attire of employees at that organization, signaling your respect for the opportunity.

You can check the company website, or it's perfectly appropriate to ask the person scheduling your interview for information about the company's dress code. Rule of thumb: When in doubt, ask!

General Guidelines

• Different companies and industries have varying norms regarding business attire, so it's crucial to research a company and its culture to understand its dress code. Generally, the standard expectation is professional attire, typically consisting of a conservative, well-tailored suit. While a business suit may not be the everyday work attire for every organization, recruiters anticipate candidates to present themselves in their most professional attire during job interviews.
• The main objective of dressing for your interview is to feel comfortable and project professionalism. If you feel uneasy in an outfit—regardless of how well it fits or how others compliment you—choose something else to wear.
• Whether you're aiming for Business Professional, Business Casual, or Smart Casual attire, there are several things you should always avoid. These include wearing dirty or wrinkled clothes, scuffed shoes, chipped nails, athletic wear, sneakers, hiking boots, flip-flops, athletic sandals, and any shorts, skirts, or tops that are too short or tight for the office environment.
• When preparing for a virtual interview, it's crucial to adhere to the same dress code standards as you would for an in-person interview. Treat the virtual interview with the same seriousness, and dress professionally and appropriately for the occasion, regardless of whether you're interviewing from the comfort of your own home.

Evaluating an Offer

Congratulations on receiving a job offer! However, before you sign the offer letter, it's crucial to evaluate the offer thoroughly to ensure it aligns with your needs and goals. Here are some tips and resources to help you make an informed decision.

What to Consider

Most job offers outline details such as salary, title, start date, retirement plans, and health insurance. However, additional components may also include a signing bonus, equity or discounted stock options, paid time off, and more. While some aspects of the offer may be negotiable, others might not. It's important to consider each item in the offer carefully and evaluate its significance to your overall compensation package and career goals.

Interview Videos

Your focus in an interview should be on the qualities you could bring to the company. Watch the videos below to learn what to expect during an interview.

Negotiating An Offer

Negotiating a job offer, including salary, benefits, start date, signing bonus, and relocation assistance, is a crucial step in the job search process. The aim is to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement that meets the needs of both parties involved.

Reasons for Negotiating

It is appropriate to negotiate if you believe your skills are worth more than the salary and benefits being offered. Here are some reasons to negotiate your salary:

• You have specific skills relevant to the position that are above and beyond what a typical candidate would have.
• You are relocating to a community with a higher cost of living, and the offered salary does not meet your minimum threshold of living requirements.
• The salary offered is significantly below the average paid to other candidates with your qualifications.

Identify the Right Person and Communicate on the Phone

When starting negotiations, identify the appropriate person to communicate with. This could be the hiring manager, human resources professional, search chair, department head, or dean. Always opt for phone communication, as negotiations tend to proceed more smoothly when voice inflections can be heard.

Know Your BATNA

One important concept to remember when negotiating is your Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA). Having multiple offers or the ability to decline an offer is empowering. However, engaging in a bidding war between competing offers solely to secure the highest salary can be seen as negotiating in bad faith.

Have a Rationale for Your Position

When making a counteroffer, justify your position. For example, "I understand I'm asking for a $9k increase, but these types of positions are traditionally filled by bachelor-level candidates. I'll already have my master's by the start date and can bring additional skills that won't require an extended training period."

Be Professional

When negotiating your salary, it's crucial to maintain a professional demeanor. Remember, you'll collaborate with or work for these individuals, and your conduct during negotiations can impact future interactions. Demonstrating professionalism underscores the valuable skills you bring to the role and establishes a constructive tone for the discussion. Avoid discussing personal financial needs during the negotiation. While mentioning student loans or the need for a new car might be tempting, these reasons aren't valid justifications for an employer to raise your salary. Instead, emphasize your qualifications and the value you bring to the organization.

Ask Questions Instead of Making Demands

Facilitate negotiations in good faith by posing a request as a question rather than a demand. For example, "The salary you're offering is $X. I found that the average salary for that job in this city is around $X. Is there any way we can get closer to that number?"

Reframe Your Counteroffer as a Benefit for the Employer

For example, "For the first academic year, I want to make sure I can get my research program up and running, which is one of the things you were really aiming for with this new tenure line. I believe having a 3-3-2 teaching load that first year will really help me focus on getting that program up and running. Once the foundation is set, a 4-4-2 load is more manageable."

Look for Creative Solutions

If an employer is unable to increase salary, look for creative solutions. For example, ask if you can be evaluated for a merit increase at six months.

Do's and Don'ts of Negotiation

Do's

• Conduct market salary research before an interview.
• Research the cost of living in your new city.
• Thank the person for the offer and ask if any part of the offer is negotiable.
• Have up-front planning, preparation, and goal setting.
• Identify the right person and communicate on the phone.
• Remember that negotiating a job offer is about finding a mutually satisfactory agreement for both parties.

Don'ts

• Initiate salary discussions. Let the employer bring up the subject.
• Be the first to mention a salary figure. Let the employer establish the first benchmark.
• Bargain in bad faith.
• Create a bad impression with your potential employer.

Salary Research Tools and Resources

• Academic Salaries
• Cost of Living Calculator
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation Survey
• Salary.com
• Glassdoor.com