External Time Line October Job Openings for Economists August and September too November JOE too December 1 (sometimes earlier): first deadlines for materials(December JOE) Mid December: ASSA Interview Scheduling January 3-5, Atlanta: ASSA meetings (first round interviews) January-March +: Flybacks/Offers

Your Time Line August Dissertation well under way (1 main paper as draft, 2 other papers well along) Draft of Job Market Paper for Advisor September Further Circulation/Polishing of Job Market Paper Contacting Letter Writers (scheduling departmental seminar) Presentation of Job Market Paper in department seminar. Hotel reservations for Atlanta October Sorting through ads Preparing CV Preparing thesis abstract Preparing teaching materials Final polishing of paper KEA presentation

November Sorting through more ads Mailing materials Southern Economic Association Meetings Flight? To Atlanta December Scheduling ASSA interviews Preparing for interviews Further refining job talk from feedback Mock interviews in department Christmas: A great time to practice your “spiel” on unsuspecting friends and relatives. January Final polishing of job talk First flyouts

Application Packets Cover letter: a brief introduction Thesis abstract: briefly describe your thesis work. CV: shows working papers from thesis and presentation and teaching experience Job market paper: well polished Teaching philosophy: well written, clearly thought about. Teaching evaluations: nicely presented summary of teaching history.

What are they looking for? Ph.D.s in economics (not ABD’s…) The “Done Signal” Polished Job market paper Past tense (I examined…not I will look at…) Results (my estimates show) Future work Teaching: You’ve given some thought to what you want to teach and why You’ve given some thought to how to teach and take it seriously

ASSA Interviews Business Attire (Generally Suits) Your Spiel: Be prepared to give a short oral overview of your thesis work. Focusing on your JMP, but briefly discussing other aspects. Teaching Interests: what do want to teach, what can you teach. What is your style, books etc. All of this needs to convey that you are Assistant Professor material. For non-Academic Jobs, interviews are similar. They won’t ask you about “teaching” but ask you about presenting to other groups.

How do they pick flyouts? The Done Signal. Can you carry on a conversation? Can you demonstrate that you understand your work? Will you be able to teach their students? And will you be ready to take up the job in the fall (or will you still be ABD)?

Flyouts You’ll need a credit card with a decent limit. You book air travel, they reimburse. Attire: Again Business Suit Typically ½ hour meeting with faculty/deans/etc. Job talk in the afternoon (although that varies). Job talk may be research talk or teaching an undergraduate class. You need to be prepared for both. Meals: don’t chew with your mouth open. Be able to carry on a conversation. It’s a long day, go in with a positive attitude.

Offers Typically a week or two to decide. Get everything in writing. We’ll help you negotiate some. Once you accept one, you’re done. No reneging!

After I clear, then what? Well, you should be nearly done with the thesis, and finish it up. Get ready to move. What if I don’t clear? Second and third rounds: schools who don’t get their first choice come back to the pool. Secondary/Visiting market: some schools need to hire bodies, this can be a visiting position etc. Non-academic market often goes late since they typically lose to academic positions. ASSA Job Market Scramble

Conclusion Imperative to signal that you are well along. Crucial to be able to communicate: spoken and written. Important that you have a command of your own work. Important that you understand other aspects of the job (teaching or whatever). Did I mention that you need to look like you will finish before you arrive?