1. Navigating the Academic Job Market as a Recent Ph.D.
Yunsun Huh
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

2. Pre-Application Time Line: Jan.-Aug.
Attend Conferences (like IAFFE) and network
Line up Letters of Recommendation
Prepare Application Packet
Includes: Cover letter, CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, Job Market Paper
Find/Request examples of these for templates
Build Teaching Experience
Volunteer to teach a class (full instructor not TA)
Decide Type of Job(s) you are interested in
Tenure Track Faculty, Research Faculty, Postdoctoral Researcher or equivalent, Gov’t, Private Sector
Faculty positions generally start in the fall semester in August. The application process starts around September the year before, as the first set of faculty job announcements comes out. However, you need to be prepared prior to that point.

3. Application Packet – Part 1
Cover Letter: Customize to each institution
R1 / Teaching / Gov’t / Private Sector
CV: keep it up-to-date
Research Statement:
Explain area of interest/specialty, Summary of current papers/dissertation, pipeline of future projects/ideas
Teaching Statement: experience and philosophy
Job Market Paper: prev. pub., under review, etc.
Reference Letters:
Request them early (May or June), references need time
Don’t be afraid to politely check-in & “push” in Sept
*Make sure to solicit more than the minimum number of references. Give your letter writers at least 2 or 3 months time to get things done. That means ask early (May/June). Its possible someone will forget or be late - don't let that derail your application (remember they are looking for reasons to throw your application out!). An inability to get reference letters may signal something about your personality or networking skills and lead them to disqualify you (fairly or unfairly).

4. Application Packet – Part 2
Check, and then Check Again!
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Syntax
Non-native English Speaker? ASK FOR HELP
Mistakes lead search committees to ask:
Are you sloppy and unprofessional?
Do you really want this job?
Each position routinely gets applicants
Committees find reasons to eliminate (not keep) apps
*If you don't do this - it makes you look unprofessional and that you are not interested in the job enough to take the time to do a good job on the application. Also, there are usually or more applications per opening, hiring committees are looking for reasons to eliminate (not keep) your application.

5. Application Timeline: Sept. – Dec.
Decide Strategy: everywhere vs. targeted
Standard app sent everywhere is low cost, but…
Focusing on schools/jobs with best fit for you and modestly tailoring your Cover Letter is good signal
Recognize the tradeoffs
Search and Apply:
Look at: JOE, Chronicle, HigherEdJobs, USAJobs
Prepare and Practice seminar presentation for your Job Market Paper (Update conference presentation etc.)
JOE (Job Opening for Economists) at AEA webstie, Chronicle of Higher Education/ HigherEdJobs.com/USAJobs.gov

6. Application Timeline: Jan. – Mar.
Initial Interviews primarily occur:
Face-to-face at AEA annual conference
Through Phone/Webex/Skype
Schedule Interview
Try to schedule your 2nd choice school before your first choice school (if possible).
This gives you valuable practice and experience!

7. Initial Interview Prepare for a short (30-45 minute interview)
DO: Practice Mock Interviews
Have 5 & 10 minute versions of “job talk” prepared
Job talk succinctly summarizes your research/teaching
Look into schools interviewing you ahead-of-time
they are interviewing you, you’re also interviewing them
Have questions prepared for the school
Show your personality (Be Positive & Confident!)
Remember, they are looking for a colleague
Ensure all your technology is setup and working for Phone/Webex interview

8. Campus Visit (Fly-out)
Do your homework: find everything you can about the department (school) in advance.
Dinner: Relax, be yourself, and enjoy!
Mini Interviews with faculty
Seminar Presentation (Job talk)
Find out in advance how department structures job talk ( Power point, Chalk and Whiteboard etc.)
Provide future research plan (your pipeline)
Polite but show confidence
Teaching Demonstration
-Thoroughly research the department; current faculties and their research specialties, what classes are in the curriculum etc.

9. Navigating Couple’s Job Search
Decide Priority and Strategy
Being together or pursue a personal career
Possible Strategy
Dual position at the same school
One person might get a non-tenure track position (such as a lecturer or visiting scholar)
Separate position in the same city or area
Do not reveal dual search unless one person already has a job (or offer) in the area
Long term plan - stay as a long distance couple and prepare for the next job market together

10. Offer and Negotiation Decide if the offer is what you want
Be Willing To Negotiate!
Think about start up package/resources, and/or salary
They will not rescind offer, the worst outcome is “no”
At hire is best chance to influence base salary
But, “one time” $$ easier than salary increase
If you have multiple offers – let each institution know and get their best offer.
Anytime you send a counteroffer, you should do so confident that if they agree to everything you ask for, you will be prepared to accept the offer.