I’ve got a 20-min presentation for a faculty interview where I’m asked to talk about my motivation, research plans, and teaching approach. Since it’s not a research talk, I’m not sure what the title should be. Just my name and the position I’m applying for looks a bit weird. What would be a good title for a job talk like this?
Also, should I use my current university’s PowerPoint template, or go with something more neutral? (I know I’m probably overthinking this, but I’m curious what you think.)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Comments
How about using an overarching theme of your research program as the talk title? Basically, it’s making a one liner about your scholarly identity.
A common title for job talks (even if they involve research) is the name of the university you give the talk at and the date.
If you are a PhD student applying for a first job, use the template for your university. If you are already employed and looking to job hop, something generic.
Your talk title should be about your theme, at a high level. What encompasses your first five years of work as a prof in your plan? Name it that.
Do use your current uni’s template slides. It’s good to have some branding and association. Helps us remember details when we’re marathon interviewing y’all over a few short weeks.
If they used any particular phrasing when setting up the talk, that could work?
Like, “University Department of Basketweaving Academic Approach Seminar” if they invited you to give a presentation on “your academic approach”.
It doesn’t need a title if it’s not on a specific research or teaching topic.
If it’s just your job talk, just plaster your name, degree, institution name on the intro slide. The audience know what they’re there for.
I’ve seen people do all sort of things with the template. Use their school’s template. I’ve seen people dress it up in the colors of the target school, etc.
I use a completely different thing.
“Give me this f*cking job, you idiots! I know more about this topic than anyone in this room!”
They want to know your vision, so your title should communicate that vision.
I like the comments above. The motivation can be the big theme and big unanswered questions in your field and the opportunity for IMPACT in those directions. One talk I remember well, the candidate used this approach, showed where in that space they were working and shared ideas on the first 4-5 grants they were going to write and who at our institution they hoped to work with on those applications. That showed they had done their homework, knew our university, looked forward to collaboration, etc. The proposed colleagues were from not just the department and school, but also across the university.
I’ve witnessed a lot of such presentations over the years, and people using an engaging or funny title is usually a good sign that the person will be liked by the students. Obviously caution and common sense should be used so that the title is entertaining without being offensive.
“Faculty Job Talk”
If you are employed (grad student counts) in good standing at a university, you can use their presentation template if you like it and it fits the talk.
As for the talk title, usually I have seen titles that reflect the overarching theme of your research. Job talk titles are often advertised internally to other faculty and grad students, so letting them know the topic may help pique their interest.
Thanks for the suggestions so far! The audience for this presentation will only be the selection committee, so this is just part of the interview process — I’m not presenting to a wider audience.
Ask chatgpt to invent a snappy title
chalk talk?
Should be covering all of your research plans much like a grant title