The AMA Academic Council recommends the following best practices for universities and job market candidates. Recommendations are grounded in survey results collected from a broad range of stakeholders (i.e., Recent Rookie Job Market Candidates/Assistant Professors, Faculty at Hiring Institutions, and Department Chairs).
Best Practices for Hiring Universities
- Suggested Initial Interview Window (August 12
–25): According to our survey, inconsistency in the timing of first-round interviews—currently lasting over 2+ months—is the most salient pain point for rookie job candidates in marketing.
Rookie job candidates expressed a strong need for the opportunity to follow a predictable schedule, with adequate time to consider options in light of their professional and familial needs. To establish an anchor and ensure a more synchronized and efficient process, we recommend scheduling the first-round Zoom interviews the week of and following Summer AMA (this year: August 16–18), which is August 12 through August 25 in 2024. - In-Person Option: This timing will allow schools to also meet candidates in person at Summer AMA if they prefer, though universities taking this approach should provide an option for a virtual interview to promote inclusivity for candidates who may not be able to attend in-person. Critically, following the Code of Ethics, it is AMA policy that NO interviews take place in hotel rooms as a strict policy. We request that universities comply with this policy. To facilitate in-person interactions with candidates, AMA will offer a networking event sponsored by the Academic Council on Friday afternoon (August 16) of the 2024 Summer AMA Academic Conference.
- Suggested Campus Visit Timing: With the synchronization of first-round interviews in August, we recommend campus visits begin after the recommended window for first-round interviews has completed (e.g., beginning in late August–after Labor Day at the earliest).
- Please Do Not Impose “Exploding Offers”: When universities make offers, it is best practice to provide a minimum of two weeks for the candidate to make their decision regarding the offer. Based on survey responses from assistant professors who received exploding offers, over half of these respondents anticipated looking for another job within a five-year period. AMA discourages universities from expecting candidates to cancel existing campus visits. Doing so deprives candidates of the once-in-their-career opportunity to share their research and network with a wide range of scholars in the field. If a candidate is pressured to make a decision outside of the Best Practices, it is possible their acceptance may be provisional.
Best Practices for Job Market Candidates
- Campus visits offer an important opportunity for candidates to share their research and build their network early in their career. The AMA Academic Council supports candidates’ ability to complete previously scheduled campus visits. If a hiring university requests a candidate cancel existing visits, candidates can reference these Best Practices to support their decision to finish their campus visits.
- AMA encourages students to reflect on the values and culture of a university that violates the Best Practices when considering an offer.
- If a candidate is pressured to make a decision outside of the Best Practices (e.g., exploding offers), the AMA recommends that the field should recognize that candidates may need to withdraw their acceptance.
- If a candidate is fortunate to receive more than one offer, they should determine the best option for themselves among the current set of offers and decline the remaining offers so universities can promptly move on to other candidates for the market to move forward.
As a reminder, these Best Practices are recommendations to help facilitate a productive sense of community throughout the Fall Rookie Job Market. They are intended for universities and candidates participating in the Fall Rookie Job Market, and it should be understood that the recommended timeline may not be followed for other levels of hiring.