Management PhD Candidates' Job Search: The Initial Interview

Abstract

In this study, the authors surveyed management PhD candidates interviewing at the Academy of Management national convention to examine how they seek, conduct, and draw inferences from initial job interviews. Such interviews are critical for further consideration of (a) the position by the applicant and (b) the applicant by the university. Forty-three percent of 200 PhD candidates responded. Respondents were selective and obtained considerable information about schools chosen for possible interviews. Respondents' areas of dissatisfaction included the interviewing locations at the conference and interviewers' lack of candor and preparedness for interviews. Schools that overcome these difficulties can better obtain desirable faculty.