1. Preparing for an Academic Career
The Academic Job Search applications, interviews, job talk, teaching demonstration, negotiations
Ankur Desai, Margaret Fraiser, Matthew Kirby, Erika Marín-Spiotta, Barbara Tewksbury, Joshua Villalobos, Jen Wenner
Preparing for an Academic Career

2. What departments look for in new faculty
Overall promise
General teaching ability, ability to teach courses needed by the department/program
Ability to do research, specific research area (depends on department)
Potential for securing funding (depends on department)
“Fit” with department and institution
Modified from R. Reis’s presentation in 2006

3. Generalized timeline (not to scale)
Submit application
Decide what you want
(Short interview)
Campus interview
Search job ads
Job offer!
Negotiate
Job offer!
Negotiate
Campus interviews
Department defines and advertises position
Comments from each type of institution on how applications are reviewed and ranked.
Comments from each institution type on EEO guidelines
Department (or admin) decides
Search committee reviews applications, selects “short list”
Search committee or dept selects finalists
Professional meeting or phone interview
Follow EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) guidelines

4. The application Common components
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Some combination of the following
Teaching statement, teaching interests, teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, teaching portfolio
Research statement, research interests, publications
Letters of recommendation (or list of references)
Follow the instructions (more ≠ better)
Have others review your application
Proofread everything (each application)

5. Customize applications
Additional time and effort
May provide competitive advantage
Customized statements in the cover letter (and possibly in teaching and/or research statement)
Specific references to the institution, department, individuals where appropriate
Identify how you might complement their curriculum, research, other needs

6. Your references Familiar with your work (teaching, research)
“Can you write me a positive recommendation?”
You can ask people to focus on a particular strength or aspect of you/your experience
You may ask a reference to explain special circumstances:
Gaps in your c.v., job changes, advisor complications
Make sure they know the type of position
Give plenty of time (2 weeks or more) and check with them before the deadline

7. Off-campus interviews
Short interviews
Professional meeting interviews
Phone, teleconference, or Skype interviews
Some tips
Be engaging and enthusiastic
Know the key points you want to make
Provide specific examples
Avoid spending too much time answering a given question
Prepare a few brief questions for the interviewer(s)

8. Campus interviews Components Be positive, interested, and professional
Individual or small-group sessions
Individual faculty
Groups of faculty
Students
Chair of search committee
Department Chair
Dean, Provost, and/or other administrator
Teaching demonstration (depends on dept)
Job talk (about your research)
Meals, social gathering
Be positive, interested, and professional
Do your research; be prepared with questions
Everything is part of the interview
Comments from each type of institution on individual vs. small group sessions
EEO considerations and how they impact an interview

9. Campus interviews You are also interviewing them!
Bring a list of questions to ask
Ask about others’ research
Tenure & promotions guidelines/process
Benefits and institutional policies
What are the students like?
Is there a grants office? Tech support?
Ask students about the Department & campus
Forms of support for early faculty?

10. Campus interviews at community colleges
First interview: meet with search committee
Answer questions about:
Academic background
Teaching experience and philosophy
Your understanding of community colleges (all candidates get the same questions)
Give a minute teaching demonstration on a specific topic (pre-determined)
Second interview: meet with administrator(s)
Do institution-specific research, and be prepared to ask questions

11. One-on-one interviews
Do your homework, and target your audience
Assume they have not done their homework
Be prepared to repeat yourself
Have questions
Be prepared for inappropriate questions
Keep up your energy
and enthusiasm
YOU
Dept.
Faculty
Chair
Students
Dean

12. The job talk Consider your audience! Tell a story Engaging visuals
Introduction to engage audience and provide context and significance
Heart of the talk - showcase your research and include clear statement of research questions
Strong end – conclusions and future plans
Engaging visuals
Practice, practice, practice!
End on time
Not a talk about one of your papers
Not a thesis defense
Not a talk for a professional meeting
Comments from several types of institutions on who the audience is

13. Teaching demonstration
Do what is asked
Target your demo at the appropriate level
Ask for clarification (if needed) as you prepare
Be yourself; choose something that lets you shine and that you know will work
If it involves student interaction, keep it low-risk

14. Teaching demonstration
Have a clear goal that is more than telling the students about something
Be able to explain why you did what you did
Provide context if appropriate; if the lecture topic is up to you, consider providing a syllabus so your audience knows where your demonstration fits into your class
Practice, practice, and time with students

15. Negotiating What can be negotiated?
The negotiation process (it varies)
Strategies for negotiating