1 Academic Job Search – My experience Bodhisattva Sen Columbia University 27 January 2010

2 1-2 years before graduating Some thoughts about direction of your research – your interests, goals Type of departments – Stat, BioStat, Med School, Business School Interdisciplinary research interests sell well Theoretical interests need to be supplemented with applications

3 Contd… Big question – What do I bring to the table that others do not? Look at websites for new job candidates, department seminar websites View the profile of new job candidates Track them

4 Job websites gi?type=1 gi?type=1 Go to department websites

5 October ‘10 So you are applying for academic job… Where are you applying? Post-Doc/Tenure track/Visiting – pros and cons Selective/All out Get the names of the dept.; deadlines Talk to your advisors/faculty members about your/their choices

6 Documents to prepare CV Research Statement Teaching Statement Your web-site

7 November ‘10 Finalize the list Find recommenders – at least three How to choose recommenders? Get addresses of dept. Online/Offline application Deadlines start from November Send out the applications

8 Job Interview 4-7 interviews per position Usually one whole day, sometimes 2 days Talk – 50 mins Meeting – 30 mins with about faculty members Schedule them early, and no more than 2 per week 8:30 am – 8:30 pm (quite hectic!)

9 Tips Your attitude/personality matters Be friendly, polite; enjoy the process Show interest in others works Show your breadth of knowledge Show your interest in the department and place Do your homework Importance: How do you handle questions after talk How do you handle questions after talk Talk Talk Personal Meetings Personal Meetings

10 Homework Be aware of the faculty members research interests/ areas More intensive focus on their recent work Read some papers; at least the abstracts Connections to your work/interests Know about the department, its history Practice your job talk; fine tune the talk The more time you devote, the better!

11 Job Talk Express your enthusiasm/interest Explain the problem and why it is interesting Highlight your contribution Give the broader picture Do not make any statement that you are not absolutely sure about Need not give detailed proofs Motivate your results, explain intuitively What are they looking for Whether you know your subject How clearly/easily you can communicate Will you be a good researcher in the future

12 Individual meetings Let the discussion take its own shape Show your enthusiasm in your research as well as in the other persons research Homework comes in handy Make connections with your own research Show your breadth of knowledge Be an interested listener Common questions Other research experience comes in handy!

13 Miscellaneous Do not ask about your salary, performance of other job candidates You may write a thank you after the interview In lunch/dinner Focus less on food, and more on others Focus less on food, and more on others Politics, Sports, your department, other interest Politics, Sports, your department, other interest Remember they also want a good colleague Remember they also want a good colleague

14 General Do not open any weak corners Enjoy the experience; meeting so many new people can be tiring I think they will remember you – put up a good impression Even the ’s you write to them count, so be serious Dress code?