How to Get That Elusive Academic Job 13—the interview (let them lead)

...not as much as during the on-campus visit. But the point is to magnetize them. How do you do that? You have to let them enjoy you. If you're putting out loads of barbs and defensive walls, even if you're offering lots of candy, they won't have space to do that. So be passionate but with a lot of SPACE. Let them do the work. Listen. Perform thinking. Be thoughtful with them. This is where your ikebana scores BIG. You have just ONE child, remember? Once you've put that out there, let it start a discussion. Let Heaven and Earth take care of themselves. The interview is about the kids.