5 Common Interview Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Not Researching the Institution

One of the biggest red flags for hiring committees is when candidates clearly haven't done their homework. This shows a lack of genuine interest and suggests you might be applying everywhere without thought.

How to avoid it:

• Read the department's mission statement and recent news
• Review faculty research areas and recent publications
• Understand the student body and institutional priorities
• Prepare specific questions about the department's direction

Committees can tell when you've done real research—and when you haven't.

2. Overpreparing Scripts

While preparation is essential, memorizing answers word-for-word makes you sound robotic and prevents you from engaging authentically with the committee.

How to avoid it:

• Prepare key points and stories, not full scripts
• Practice flexibility—be ready to adapt your answers
• Focus on the underlying message, not exact wording
• Allow space for natural conversation and follow-ups

3. Not Asking Questions

When interviewers ask if you have questions, saying "no" or asking only surface-level questions signals disinterest or lack of preparation.

How to avoid it:

• Prepare 5–7 thoughtful questions in advance
• Ask about department culture, collaboration, and priorities
• Show genuine curiosity about the position and institution
• Use questions to demonstrate your research and interest

4. Failing to Connect Research to Department

Many candidates explain their research well but don't show how it fits with the department's needs, existing faculty, or student interests.

How to avoid it:

• Explicitly connect your research to faculty interests
• Discuss collaboration opportunities
• Explain how your work serves department and student needs
• Show how you'd contribute to the department's mission

5. Neglecting Teaching Philosophy

Even at research-focused institutions, teaching matters. Candidates who don't articulate a clear teaching philosophy or show engagement with pedagogy often struggle.

How to avoid it:

• Develop a clear, concise teaching philosophy statement
• Prepare concrete examples of teaching success
• Discuss how you'd teach specific courses
• Show enthusiasm for student learning and development

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