This activity is designed to help candidates explain their current research or abilities concisely and persuasively It was included in the presentation by Sherry Woods (UT Austin) and Rebecca Richards-Kortum (BIOE) entitled "How to Stand Out in a Campus Interview" but may stand alone as a separate exercise.
You are visiting for a two-day faculty interview at your number one school. In the elevator on the way to a meeting, someone introduces you to Dr. Clark, the Associate Dean for Research. She is not in your area. After shaking hands, she asks, “So, what do you do?” Your assignment is to prepare a 1-minute elevator speech that:
Describes your research interest in a compelling way to someone outside your area
Ideally, you want her to walk back to her office and call the chair of the search committee to say how impressed she is with you as a potential colleague.
Round one
Take one-minute to prepare
Find one other person you DO NOT know…
At signal, begin (and end…)
Start with the handshake…
it’s not a very tall building…
Round one: review
As Associate Dean, give feedback:
Name 2 – 3 key things you heard
Could you explain to some else her area of research?
Rate confidence level
Rate enthusiasm level
Rate hand shake
The art of confident handshakes…
Rating Scale:
Great!
Okay, could be better
Needs work!
Round two
Jot down 2 – 3 key messages you want to communicate
Repeat process with new person
Still not a very tall building… For example…
Round two: review
As Associate Dean, give feedback:
Name 2 – 3 key things you heard
Could you explain to some else her area of research?
