A Discursive Approach to Interactions at Faculty Hiring Interviews for an Assistant Lecturer Position

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the faculty-hiring interviews’ (FHI) spoken discourse particularly applicants’ linguistic choices to manage a positive image and gain positive feedback from their interviewers during authentic job interviews for an assistant lecturer position, held in the Department of English language and literature at two Algerian universities: Msila and Setif2. The main thrust of the study is to introduce successful applicants’ strategies to prepare university students for job interview communication. To that end, the study utilized an exploratory descriptive case study design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches in data analysis. Data were obtained through different research tools during two stages. In the exploratory stage, a survey is conducted with interviewers (N=12), to investigate their perceptions and practices in FHIs. Secondly, official documents that describe the selection and evaluation criteria of the FHIs were analysed including the Anchored Rating Scale (ARS), (April 2018); Circular N°7 dated 28 April 2011 relating to selection criteria for the competition on the basis of qualifications for recruitment to grades in Civil Service (p. 2-3); and Official Journal, N°. 23 dated on 04 May 2008,(p. 22). The descriptive phase applied a micro-level discourse analysis of authentically recorded FHI extracts (N=20) during four recurrent interview moves self-introduction, research presentation, negotiation of expertise and related position tasks, and discussion of future plans. To classify applicants into passing and failing, the study relied on a developed conceptual framework based on the job analysis method identified in the exploratory phase, in addition to a discursive approach adapted from the literature according to the communicative purposes of the FHI. The discursive approach to applicants’ interactions stands on a fusion of different theoretical and analytical research strands for spoken discourse analysis (drawing on Systemic Functional Linguistics, Impression Management, Politeness and Cooperative Principles). Findings revealed that passing candidates constructed a positive image and solidarity with their interviewers using fluent and informative speech when promoting their scientific accomplishments, demonstrating readiness for teaching and meeting the preferences of the Department of English. The outcomes of this research could be particularly significant to students: if they were trained in interview communication criteria then they would learn how to enhance their employability chances; to the faculty hiring committees for improving their selection and evaluation practices, and to researchers for connecting professional practices with academic ones through the investigation of the job hunting genre in the academic sphere