For graduates looking to enter academia and have secured an interview, it is important to ensure you are familiar with all the aspects of the hiring process and can meet all the hiring committee’s requests. Once you are asked for an interview, they may ask for multiple presentations, including additional interviews, teaching demonstrations, diners with staff, research seminars, and even a chalk talk.
But what is Chalk Talk, and how do you prepare for one?
A Chalk Talk is a 40-to-50-minute presentation of your research and funding intentions for the future done on a whiteboard or chalkboard before a committee. Search committees use Chalk Talks to assess suitable candidates for the department and learn if a candidate could bring something new to the department and potential collaboration. The key is that PowerPoint slides are not allowed, just the single board and markers.
Senior Investigator and President Emeritus Robert Mahley, MD, PhD, from the Gladstone Institutes, shared a detailed presentation, “Preparing a Chalk Talk for a Faculty Position, ” which breaks down all the best practices for preparing for your Chalk Talk.
Some highlights in his presentation include:
- Focus on research, prospects, and funding goals. Start with a brief overview of your research, focus on followed by specific reach aims, and explain your funding timeline and goals.
- Prepare what you will draw on the board on a piece of paper in front of you and ask the committee for 2-4 minutes before the presentation begins to prepare the board.
- Prepare for the committee to interrupt you with questions and inquiries. These will eat up your allotted time. Try to plan to give space for those conversations but also make sure you finish your demonstration on time.
Click on the embedded video below to learn more and watch the whole video of Dr. Mahley’s seminar on YouTube.
