Transcript Earlier Than You Think – Grad Students

The Academic Job Search
Julie Miller Vick
California Institute of Technology – June 8, 2003
University of California at Santa Barbara – June 9,
2003
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
 Copyright,
Send
thank you notes.
Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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”
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
Interviews: Getting Invited to
Campus

Phone interviews.
Conference interviews.

Video interviews.

Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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?
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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?
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.
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.
Copyright, Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be reproduced or distributed without permission.