In many fields, it is customary to screen job candidates at national conferences. Short interviews (usually about a half an hour) give employers the opportunity to assess candidates quickly in person. If you applied for a position, you may be contacted in advance to schedule a conference interview (you will be responsible for your expenses here, unlike campus interviews). Otherwise, while attending a conference you may see an opening posted on a job board and sign up for a time slot to meet with the recruiter/s. Conference interviews sometimes take place in meeting rooms, sometimes in hotel suites. You will typically meet with only one or two representatives from the hiring institution, not the entire search committee. Always be prepared to put your best foot forward at conferences, as you may haphazardly run into faculty from hiring institutions. If you are on the job market and presenting at the conference, it is safe to assume that interested recruiters may be among your audience.
Prepare for a conference interview as for any other interview: dress professionally and do your homework. Keep in mind that you will have a relatively small window of opportunity to make a good impression on the hiring institution’s representatives. For this reason, focus on being professional, collegial, confident, and concise. Think in advance about the points you want to get across. Concentrate on the department’s priorities and your “fit.”