Job Market Overview

External Time LineOctober Job Openings for Economists

August and September tooNovember 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 LineAugust

Dissertation well under way (1 main paper as draft, 2 other papers well along)

Draft of Job Market Paper for AdvisorSeptember

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

NovemberSorting through more adsMailing materialsSouthern Economic Association MeetingsFlight? To Atlanta

DecemberScheduling ASSA interviews Preparing for interviewsFurther refining job talk from feedbackMock interviews in departmentChristmas: A great time to practice your “spiel” on

unsuspecting friends and relatives.January

Final polishing of job talkFirst flyouts

Application PacketsCover letter: a brief introductionThesis abstract: briefly describe your thesis

work. CV: shows working papers from thesis and

presentation and teaching experienceJob 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 paperPast 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 whyYou’ve given some thought to how to teach and

take it seriously

ASSA InterviewsBusiness 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)?

FlyoutsYou’ll need a credit card with a decent limit. You

book air travel, they reimburse.Attire: Again Business SuitTypically 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.

OffersTypically 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

ConclusionImperative 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?