Academic Job Search

Presentation Overview

The job marketCurrent realityConquering, coping and Plan B

Application DocumentsCV, cover letter, referencesTeaching philosophy, research

statement

InterviewingCampus visit, conference , phone,

Skype

% of College Teaching Staffs

1975 2009Full time tenured 29.0% 20.5%

Full time tenure track 16.1% 7.6%

Full time non-tenured 10.3% 15.1%

Part time non-tenured 24.0% 41.1%

Graduate students 20.5% 19.4%

Job Market for PhDs

Shrinking number of tenure track positions, especially in humanities

Generally less pay, less choice in where to live

Community colleges, industry, non-profit viable options

Non-academic career ≠ failure

Job Market for PhDs

Focus on what you control- excellent preparation

Apply to positions that are a good match

Feeling discouraged or frustrated is normal

Conquer feeling powerless with long term planning for other options

Network

Application Documents

CV Follow the conventions of

your fieldTailor to institutionMake it attractive, easy to

read

Application Documents

Cover letterFirst impression to committee Tailor specifically to position

and institution: 2-yr vs. 4-yr, etc.

Specify what you will contribute, why you are a great fit

Application Documents

Letters of referencePlan early to ask

recommenders and make it easy for them

Need at least threePeople who know you well,

can comment on different aspects

Application Documents

Some or all may be part of application

Some may be requested after first round

Prepare in advance regardless

Application Documents

Research statementFollow conventions of your

fieldFocus on your future

research interestsConsider the audience –

expertise in your field, how you complement department

Application Documents

Teaching philosophyTailor to institution – size, missionUse concrete examples including

specifics about teaching your subject

Avoid cliches: “student centered”Who inspired you - not

overconfidentHow your research relates to

teaching

Application Documents

Teaching portfolioUsually requested after first

roundCan include student

evaluation summary, sample syllabi, course descriptions

Interviewing

Prepare and practiceBe well informed about position,

institution, department, faculty research

Be confident and sincerely enthusiastic

Assume some haven’t read your CV

Practice being conciseMock interview or practice aloud

Interviewing

First roundPhone or SkypeProfessional conventions

Campus visit

One or two daysMany meetings over mealsMay include job talk, teaching

demo

Interviewing

Job talkPresentation of your researchUnderstandable by lay audienceAttend any on your campus

Teaching demonstration

Common at small LA or 2-yr colleges

Teach a class, not a theoretical talk

Interviewing

Some sample questionsPlease summarize your

dissertation.What is your next research project?How do your research and teaching

influence each other?How would you teach X course?What course would you most like to

teach?

Interviewing

Additional types of questionsBehavioralInappropriateBelligerent

Do you have any questions for us?Tailor to person askingStudent body, department challenges,

new courses; show knowledge and interest

Why Should They Hire You?

You are confident, enthusiastic, sincere, well informed

You understand their needs and can explain convincingly how you can meet them

The committee, chair, dean, grad students, and others can easily imagine you fitting in

You are someone they would enjoy having around

Dissertation Support Series

Working with/Managing Your Advisor October 27

Academic Job Search Panel November 10

Presentation Skills for Job Search + December 1

Antidotes to Stress December 15

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Northeastern University Doctoral Students