Smoker Etiquette

[superawesome]

1. Do interviewers assume that interviewees will stop by their table at the smoker?
2. Does it hurt your chances if you don't?
3. Should you only do so if explicitly asked?
4. Should you do so before your interview or only after?
5. What are some good ways to break the ice?
6. Is my fly down? Did I just talk to Stalnaker with my fly down? Is that why he brought up XYZ? Ahhhhhhhhhh!

[jphil]

I'd love to help you out, but I've never been to a smoker before. So I'm just as in the dark as you are. Maybe someone else on this board who has been to one can help us out?

[squid]

I don't even know what it is.

But yes, your fly is down, and has been for some time now.

[a158]

I've had about 10 interviews over the past several years. About half of those schools have had representatives at the smoker. I usually drop by, and I almost always hate it. I just chat a bit, then leave. Nothing serious. I figure it can't hurt, though opinions on this vary. Anyway, on superawesome's questions:

1. Some do, some don't.

2. Some say yes, some say no.

3. No. Go if you want to go. If they were hoping you'd skip it, it won't hurt your chances to go. They'll be polite and then you can move off. And if they were hoping you would show up... just don't blow it.

4. I've heard it's generally a bad idea to go before your interview. It can be awkward for all involved. I've never tried though -- that's just what I've heard.

5. "Hi! It was nice to meet you earlier." Small talk -- "how was your trip? When you do you go back? Go to any talks?" Ask about their home state: "what is state X like this time of year?" After a bit of chatting, you can get on to the business at hand -- "any follow-up questions from earlier?" "I've been thinking about something you said, and I think ...."

[anonymous]

Um, when exactly is "the smoker"?

[a158]

The smoker is one of the receptions -- probably the one on Sunday night.

[Hola]

This smoker thing is a mystery to me too. At my first interview there was no mention of it. Why is it all so mysterious? Even the title "reception" is vague.

[mustardpie]

If you study the groups clustering together at the smokers, you may notice that they are probably not comprised of interviewers and their interviewees. They are comprised of friends. It's a social gathering. So if you have friends there, hang with them, and when the opportunity arises to pop over and speak with your interviewers, go ahead, but be brief, to the point, and if you sense a lull, politely excuse yourself.

Conventional wisdom holds that there's not much one can do to improve one's standing at the smoker, but there is plenty one can do to ruin it. Don't be a drunken ahole. Don't be a parasite. Don't be so chummy that you creep the interviewers out. Saying "hi" and chatting a bit, or even following up on a topic raised at an interview is good. Also, if the smoker precedes your interview, stopping by to introduce yourself is good.

[jphil]

You know, the smoker really wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. I think everyone feels equally awkward, including SC members. They know you have an obligation to speak with them, so they make themselves available, and are very polite. And you know that they think somewhat highly of you, since they invited you for an interview. So that takes a lot of pressure off you.

Are the smokers usually more crowded than that? I imagine so, given the state of the market. The room wasn't even half full.

[useyourtools]

This year's smoker was about 1/2 the size of past years'. Also, far fewer schools had representatives at tables this year.

[docs]

We did not 'do' the reception this year - although we were interviewing - because it costs money to have a table. Given that we were permitted to go ahead with our hire, unlilke some other programs/depts., this seemed a small concession.

However, we did interview lots of people (18) - with the strange idea that this made up for not having a table at the reception and, a bit, for the sorry state of our profession, and we were all too exhausted to be charming and intelligent at reception time, anyhow.

I have never liked the receptions as part of the hiring process. I did not like them when I was 'on the market,' and I do not like them as an SC member. No one is at their best at these ... things.. and I think they add to the misery-level.
On the other hand, they can be great occasions for seeking out old pals.
I think it is a bit sad that so many of us have to 'go out' at the Eastern APA to get away from the job stress. Although, if one walks just a bit from any APA hotel, the prices are likely to be better and the drinks menu is sure to be better.