As a department chairman, I've had my share of these sessions, and I have a good idea of how the job candidate should prepare. One thing you surely should keep in mind is that hiring in the academic world is not at all like hiring in the business world—so the kind of tough-guy advice dispensed in such books as Winning Through Intimidation and Donald Trump's How To Make A Deal isn't going to help you.
If you're seeking a tenure track position, keep in mind that what you're looking for is not just a job; it's really more of a marriage, and the terms negotiated with the chairman make the prenuptial agreement. So be prepared with a clear idea of what you need from the very start to make the arrangement a productive one. The most difficult thing for candidates is to figure out and ask for those needs in ...
