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The Academic Job Search

Julie Miller Vick

California Institute of Technology – June 8, 2003

University of California at Santa Barbara – June 9, 2003

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Earlier Than You Think

One - Two Years Before the Job Will Start

Identify and take opportunities to present your work. Think about your long-range goals. Start looking at job listings. Identify deadlines for

funding applications. Sit in on hiring if you can. Discuss plans with advisor or postdoc supervisor. Renew your network of contacts.

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Finding the Fit

The best qualified person who fits, not the best qualified, will get the job.

Know what you want. Be realistic about how competitive you both appear

and want to be. Do your research.

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Earlier Than You Think

Six - Twelve Months Before the Job Will Start Finalize written materials/Web site. Prepare and practice job talk. Arrange for recommendations. Finish up your research. Think about future research plans. Watch for job listings. Apply. Prepare carefully for each interview. Stay in touch with recommenders. Make direct inquiries where appropriate. Send thank you notes.

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Identifying Job Opportunities

Your scholarly association - Job listing bulletin

– Job listing website– Job placement at conferences

National publications and website- The Chronicle of Higher Education- Academic 360.com- Community College Web <http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/cc/>

Institutional and departmental websites Your network

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Getting Your Act Together

C.v. or vita Cover letter Statement of teaching philosophy Research statement Dissertation abstract Web site “Evidence of excellence in teaching”

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Developing Your Cheering Squad

Decide whom to ask to be a reference. Communicate with your references. Develop a strategy for handling any “problem”

people. Consider references you might not know you have.

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Interviews: Preparing to Keep Them Interested

Practice your talk. Develop a cocktail party version of your research. Prepare to talk about your teaching, your research,

your goals, and yourself. Know what you’re going to wear. Think about how you’ll stay at the top of your form. Before any interview, clarify all arrangements and

research the institution and interviewers.

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Interviews: Getting Invited to Campus

Phone interviews. Conference interviews. Video interviews.

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Interviews: What Happens in a Campus Interview

The job talk Meeting the department Meeting administrators Teaching a class Meeting with graduate students and/or

undergraduates Social situations

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Interviews: Making the Most of a Campus Visit

Treat everyone as the most important. Repeat yourself. Be honest, but sensible. Make your hosts’ job easier. Always have questions. Keep your head in social situations. Take care of yourself. Send thank you notes and keep in touch with all live

prospects.

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Interviews: Don’t leave without understanding….

The tenure process, tenure criteria, and the tenure rate

The teaching load The quality of your potential colleagues Are people happy here?

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Nearing the Home Stretch

Finish up your research. If there are no offers, think about Plan B, but keep

looking. Sometimes jobs open up unexpectedly. Negotiate offers.

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Things You Can Sometimes Negotiate

Decision date Salary Teaching load and teaching schedule For scientists – the start-up package Moving expenses/housing help Job-hunting help for partner or spouse Starting date Lab space, equipment and resources Research assistants Computer resources Summer research funding Travel funds and conference expenses

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What Do You Do If….

The offer you have isn’t the one you want? You’ve accepted an offer and you receive one

you like better?

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Wrapping it Up

If terms of the offer changed during negotiating, get a new offer letter.

Yes means yes. Thank everybody. Notify other institutions that interviewed you and

withdraw from the search.

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Getting Ready to Start the New Job

Finish your research. Get housing information. Get help on your partner’s job search. Try to get moved and settled by mid-July. Familiarize yourself with the department, campus, the

library, the computer center, etc. Set up your lab/ think about your research. Prepare lecture notes. Attend events for new faculty.