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
