Thank you to everyone who joined our recent webinar featuring Dr. Denish Shah (Georgia State University), who shared invaluable insights on navigating online academic job interviews, drawing from his experience as the author of the online interview chapter for the AMA Transition Guide.
Key takeaways from the session:
🎯 What First-Round Interviews Are Really About
Evaluating your communication skills and teaching ability
Getting a sense of your personality and departmental fit
Deciding whether to invite you for an on-campus visit
🧠Content Strategy
Thoroughly research the school’s mission and faculty—your preparation shows right away
Keep your presentation simple, focused, and on time
Emphasize why your work matters; detailed methods can follow later
🎥 Tech and Setup Essentials
Consider an external webcam (1080p/4K) and a separate microphone
Double-check your video platform and internet connection early—have a backup ready!
Set up in a quiet, uncluttered, well-lit space, with lighting from the front and the camera at eye level
âś… Pro Tips
Practice full mock interviews on ZOOM (aim for at least 5!)
Prepare thoughtful answers for classic questions like “Why us?” and “What motivates your research?”
Always follow up with personalized thank-you emails—it leaves a lasting impression
đźš« Mistakes to Avoid
Technical issues (especially poor audio quality)
Trying to cram too much into your slides or rushing
Ask inappropriate questions like housing or teure requirements (Too early!)
Extra resources: AMA Transitions Guide: Navigating the Progression from Doctoral Student to Marketing Professor (https://www.ama.org/ama-transitions-guide-navigating-the-progression-from-doctoral-student-to-marketing-professor/)
Again, thank our amazing speaker and everyone who attended and asked such thoughtful questions. You can check the recording from DocSIG AMA on YouTube (https://youtu.be/SvA4qOSTX5Q?si=4-4KN-254oAhIHl0) or revisit Dr. Shah’s slides here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CMuncQ81XN6i9YY2C_SFAQ4xr4KnKSuw/view?usp=sharing).
📢 Coming up in May: “Tools and Resources for the Academic Job Market” – learn about the essential websites and platforms for your job search.
🌟 Hosted by Julia van de Sandt and Xiaoying Feng , supporting PhD students in their research journeys. DocSIG is led by Julia van de Sandt (Chair) and Ishita Nagpal (Chair-Elect). American Marketing Association Marilyn Stone Matt Weingarden.
#MarketingPhD #AcademicJobMarket #AMADocSIG #PhDLife #DoctoralStudents #AcademicCareers #JobMarketPrep
