The Academic Job Search: An Overview

The Academic Job The Academic Job Search:Search:

An OverviewAn OverviewHelenrose Fives

Texas Tech University

Michelle M. BuehlUniversity of

Memphis

It’s not as easy as it looks.

Session OverviewSession Overview

Finding a Job: When to Start, Where to Look, and How to Be Prepared for the Process (Fives, 2004)How to prepare your academic vita so people hire you: Or at least so they don’t wince! (Schallert, 2004)The Job Interview: What to Expect and How to Prepare for the Job Talk and Interview (Sinatra, 2004)Negotiating the Best Contract: Hard and Soft Dollars (Reynolds, 2004)

Finding a Job: Finding a Job: When to Start, When to Start,

Where to Look, and Where to Look, and How to Be Prepared for the How to Be Prepared for the

ProcessProcessHelenrose Fives

Texas Tech University

When you are ready.

After your proposal defense.

In the late fall through early spring.

When to StartWhen to Start

When to StartWhen to Start

Who are you?

Area of Specialization

Strengths and Weaknesses

What do you want?

Type of position

Type of institution

Geographic location

When will you graduate?

Can you answer the following?

Type of InstitutionType of InstitutionCarnegie RankingsCarnegie Rankings

Doctorate-granting InstitutionsDoctoral/Research Universities—Extensive

Doctoral/Research Universities—Intensive

Master's Colleges and UniversitiesMaster's Colleges and Universities I

Master's Colleges and Universities II

Baccalaureate CollegesBaccalaureate Colleges—Liberal Arts

Baccalaureate Colleges—General

Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges

Associate's Colleges

Specialized Institutionshttp://www.carnegiefoundation.org/Classification/index.htm

http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/Classification/index.htm

Generally:Everywhere and Anywhere, ORWhere you want to be…

Specifically:Position ListingsNetworksUniversity Web Sites

Where to LookWhere to Look

Where to LookWhere to LookChronicle of Higher Education

http://chronicle.com/Right Corner: “New Jobs”Sort by State, Instituation, or DateDaily Review

Teaching and Education Jobshttp://www.csuchico.edu/plc/teachjobs.html

Higher Education Jobshttp://higheredjobs.com/

Association of Jesuit College and Universities (AJCU)

http://www.ajcunet.edu/jobbank/list2.asp?Limit=Faculty

http://chronicle.com/

http://www.csuchico.edu/plc/teachjobs.html

http://www.csuchico.edu/plc/teachjobs.html

http://higheredjobs.com/





How to be Prepared How to be Prepared for the Processfor the Process

Organization Filing System Spreadsheet Receipts


OrganizationTime Check Daily Listings: 10 - 60 min

Decisions: 10 min to 1 – 2 hrs Cover Letter and Vita Prep:

Initial: 1 – 2 days Modifications: 15 – 20 min each

Search Maintenance: 15 – 60 min/day


OrganizationTimeMoney

Vita Paper ($20) Mailing/Copies ($3 - $5

each) Interview Wardrobe ($$?) Phone Calls Out of Pocket

Incidentals ($20) Room on Credit Card


OrganizationTimeMoneyFlexibilitySupport and Guidance

Vita Paper ($20) Mailing/Copies ($3 - $5

each) Interview Wardrobe ($$?) Phone Calls Out of Pocket

Incidentals ($20) Room on Credit Card


Cover Letter2 – 3 PagesExplain why you are perfect for the position.They read it!

VitaReprints/Writing Samples

2 – 3 published works or conference papers.No Pubs? Use a recent submission, class paper, or work in progress.

Educational PhilosophyTeaching Evaluations

Create a compilation of the evaluations and comments.Use a table or graph to demonstrate improvement.

Sample SyllabiDemonstrates you teaching abilities and expectationsEven if you haven’t taught you can still create a syllabi for a course you will likely teach.



ReferencesAskInformThank

Know the PositionDescriptionProgram

Know the InstitutionWho are the faculty?What is the mission?


SharePeersRecent GraduatesNew Faculty

ExplorePossibilitiesLocationsRoles


NourishmentSnack barsWaterAdvil?

SleepGet some

Oh, and Finish your Oh, and Finish your DissertationDissertation

How to prepare your How to prepare your academic vita so academic vita so

people hire you: people hire you: Or at Or at least so they don’t least so they don’t

wince!wince!Diane Schallert

University of Texas

What is a Vita?What is a Vita?

A record of your ACADEMIC history and accomplishmentsNot a resumé Not a Cumulative Record!Is it “Vita” or “Vitae”?

What does it look like?What does it look like?

Page 1: The First ImpressionCAUTION – WARNING

Page Numbers Vary – This is a Rough Outline for the

Vita – there are other Formatting options…This is

but one…


Page 1: The First ImpressionYour name, phone numbers, and regular and electronic addresses.

[email protected]


Page 1: The First ImpressionYour name, phone numbers, and regular and electronic addresses.Your educational history (does NOT include high school)Your employment history (USUALLY does not include high school)

What does it look like? What does it look like?

Page 2: STNTBTBINSIAwards you’ve received (probably should not include MVP, or ERA!)Associations you belong to (write them all out -- no alphabet soup!)Grants or funding you’ve receivedOPTION: research & teaching interests

That’s “Stuff That Needs To Be There But Is Not So Important

What does it look like? What does it look like? Page 3: Scholarly Contributions

List in reverse time order all your writings:

Articles Chapters, books, & instructional

materials Local, regional, & national

presentations

Should you separate them by category?Only if you have > 1 in > 2 categories


Let’s deal just with the articlesOrder:

In press or published in journalsManuscripts currently under review (do name the journal)Manuscripts in preparation (be careful!)

Authors: list all authors in proper APA style


Page 4 (or 5 or 6)On the last page, after the scholarly contributions, you should list your letter writers

Give their full academic addressMake sure you’ve asked their permission before listing them

Which page is most Which page is most important?important?

Is it Page 2?Is it Page 3?Is it the last page (the list of letter writers?)Is it Page 1?

What is the role of the What is the role of the vita in landing an vita in landing an

academic job?academic job?

Is it essential? Which matters most:

content or format?

What are the steps in What are the steps in writing your Vita?writing your Vita?

Start with Page 3Assemble all the information you have on all your publicationsStart typing, using APA format (mostly)

Go to Page 1Be clear, accurate, neat; use white space well

Fill out the rest

What else?What else?

Absolutely critical to be scrupulously honest

Careful – the one thing you exaggerate will be what they ask you about in detail!

What else?What else?

Absolutely critical to be scrupulously honestDo not be overly modestThink of your vita as a living document: You should periodically edit it, clean it up, update it

The Job Interview: The Job Interview: What to Expect and What to Expect and

How toHow toPrepare for the Job Talk Prepare for the Job Talk

and Interviewand InterviewGale M. SinatraUniversity of Nevada, Las

Vegas

Congratulations! You Congratulations! You made the short list! Now made the short list! Now

what?what?Expect a telephone interview

Don’t take these casuallyMay determine who gets on-site interview

Don’t take these spur of momentSet up a quiet time

Be preparedExpect questions about your fit to the position

Be positive, but honestAsk questions, but do not express doubts

Congratulations! You Congratulations! You have an on-site have an on-site

interview. Now what?interview. Now what?Typical Itinerary: Arrival and Day 1

Review the interview itinerary and bring a copy with you! (Sometimes your hosts have no idea what to do with you when they’re done)


interview. Now what?interview. Now what?Typical Itinerary: Arrival and Day 1

Fly in Sunday night, reception at 7:00PM

8:00AM Monday breakfast meeting

9:00-10:00 Meet with search committee

10:00-11:30 Your presentation

11:30-1:00 Lunch with graduate students

1:00-2:00 Open meeting with faculty

2:00-3:00 Meet with dean

3:00-4:00 Meet with chair

6:00 Dinner


interview. Now what?interview. Now what?Typical Itinerary: Day 2

8:00AM Breakfast meeting9:00-10:00 Tour of campus10:00-11:30 Visit local school, center etc.11:30-1:00 Lunch with faculty1:00-2:00 Teach class or give a lecture2:00-3:00 Meet with search committee3:00-6:00 Tour community6:00 Taken to airport

The Job TalkThe Job TalkFind out expectations from search chair

One talk or two? Research or teaching?Time breakdown?

Find out and stick to it!Technology availability?

Plan on backup overheadsAudience?

Assume all questions have an agenda!Assume all questions have an agenda!

The Job TalkThe Job TalkFind out expectations from search chair

One talk or two? Research or teaching?Time breakdown?

Find out and stick to it!Technology availability?

Plan on backup overheadsAudience?

Assume all questions have an agenda!Assume all questions have an agenda!

1. Just because you’re comfortable using technology doesn’t mean the search chair is (or even knows how to make sure that it’s set up for you).

2. Ask questions – if the search chair doesn’t offer needed information, ASK!

3. Every question has an Agenda – know the research and background of the people you’re speaking to.

Tips for Surviving the Tips for Surviving the InterviewInterview

Prepare!Get on-line and find out something about campus, college, department and faculty

Figure out why you want THIS job – if you don’t want it before you go – think hard about going on the interview and wasting a lot of time.

Tips for Surviving the Tips for Surviving the InterviewInterview

Prepare!Get on-line and find out something about campus, college, department and faculty

Every event is part of the interview, especially dinners, lunches, receptionsEvery person you meet is interviewing youDress appropriately and act professionallyDon’t act like a graduate student

Especially around other graduate students!

Ask same questions to different people

Questions to Ask:Questions to Ask:Dean

Vision for College?Expectations for Tenure?Financial Health of University/College?

Department ChairVision for the Department?Teaching Load?Research Expectations for Merit and Tenure?Start Up Funds?Research Space?Internal Grant Programs?Travel Funds?Grant Support?

Questions to Ask:Questions to Ask:Search Committee

Expectations for Position?Climate in Department?Search Process and Timeline?

FacultyView of the Chair, Dean, College, Colleagues?Satisfaction with Climate? Social Interaction?Areas of Research? Amount and Type of Research Common?Tenure Process?Teaching Load?View of Graduate Students?Collaboration Common?

Questions to Ask:Questions to Ask:Graduate Students

Satisfaction with Program?Courses They Would Like Offered? Areas of Research Interest?Graduate Assistantships/Grants/Scholarships?Research Collaborations? Their Job Prospects?

StaffSatisfaction with Department?Climate in Department?Ratio of Staff to Faculty?Does Staff Provide Support for Faculty?Technical Support?

Follow UpFollow Up

Send Thank You E-mails

Communicate with Search Chair about Process and Timeline

Follow up on Requests for Information

If you get a Competing Offer, Call Chair

Negotiating the Best Negotiating the Best Contract:Contract:

Hard and Soft DollarsHard and Soft Dollars

Ralph ReynoldsUniversity of Nevada, Las

Vegas

Hard DollarsHard Dollars@The differences between hard

money and soft money negotiations. You can negotiate more on soft money

items than hard money items. Salary is a hard money item.

Negotiation is minimal and depends on:Quality of your recordWhether or not you have any counter-offersSize and orientation of institutionFeel of the table

Soft DollarsSoft DollarsMoving ExpensesComputer, Printer, and SoftwareTeaching Assignments and Course

ReductionResearch NeedsGraduate AssistantStart-up FundsTravel MoneyTenure ClockPartner Relocation & Job SearchStart date

Moving ExpensesMoving Expenses

Many institutions say they have a set amount but most of the time you can still negotiate.

You could be offered anywhere from $00 to full moving costs.

Most institutions offer $2,000 to $3,000 refundable with a receipt.

Be sure to get the top amount.

Moving ExpensesMoving Expenses

Many institutions say they have a set amount but most of the time you can still negotiate.

You could be offered anywhere from $00 to full moving costs.

Most institutions offer $2,000 to $3,000 refundable with a receipt.

Be sure to get the top amount.

•Get an estimate (or two) for your move as soon as you start negotiations (sooner if possible).

•Make your needs known (i.e., Moving a house vs. typical grad apt.)

•Watch conversations with colleagues once you arrive at your new position.

Computer/Printer/Computer/Printer/SoftwareSoftware

Many institutions have a set amount of dollars they will spend ($2,500) but it doesn’t hurt try.

The Mac/PC DivideBe Specific!!!Make the case for any

specialized software in terms of productivity or excellence.

Teaching Assignments Teaching Assignments and Course Reductionand Course Reduction

Most institutions will allow new faculty a course reduction if requested: The normal reduction is one course in the fall

semester However, one course each of the first two

semesters is possible.

Also, request to teach courses for which you are already prepared.

New assistant professors need all of the time they can get to acclimate to their new environment.

Other Research NeedsOther Research Needs

Institutions will buy specialized equipment for research if needed (video cameras, qualitative software, even eye movement machines ($40,000).

Request research space if you need it. Space is the most precious commodity

in many institutions. If you need it and do not request it up

front, you may never get it. Do not request items you do not need!!!

Graduate Student Graduate Student AssistanceAssistance

Always request a dedicated graduate student to work with you on your research, at least for the first year.

Students can help you:Collect research data.Figure out where things are (like the library).Introduce you to the student culture.Help you prepare for classes.

Start-Up FundsStart-Up Funds

Many institutions will offer one or two-year start up funds to ease transition

Funds can be used for purchasing anything that will aid you in getting up and running quickly.

Items that might be included are: Books, specialized professional

development, lab equipment, a special data collection apparatus.

Travel MoneyTravel MoneyBe sure to find out how many professional trips

your department or college supports each year.Institutions fund at least one trip in most cases.A good package would include two.Be careful to understand what is funded

Some institutions reimburse on the basis of receipts Others pay a set amount ($400 per trip) Still others reimburse at predetermined rates, not

actual rates Always ask for one additional trip your first year for

professional development.

Tenure ClockTenure Clock (If not your first position)(If not your first position)

Most institutions will allow up to three years of past work to count on the tenure clock.

Consider this choice carefully – If the institution allows early tenure, there is NO reason to take this benefit.

Be sure you understand tenure expectations at the new institution before making this type of decision.

Partner’s relocation and job Partner’s relocation and job searchsearch

Many institutions offer spousal hiring programs if partner is an academic.

Even institutions that have no such programs will help partner make contacts and uncover opportunities.

Request funds for immigration if appropriate.

Position Start DatePosition Start Date

Most academic positions begin a the beginning of the school year, late in August.

Always request an official start date of July 1st with a negotiated reporting date later.

That way your salary and benefits begin as soon as possible.

Not Negotiable but Very Not Negotiable but Very ImportantImportant

Understand the institution’s health planhealth plan. Health plans vary GREATLY from excellent to miserable. These are just as important as salary – perhaps more so.

Understand the institution’s retirement retirement planplan. Again, these plans vary GREATLY from excellent to miserable.

It is not an exaggeration to say that differences in retirement plans can determine whether or not you retire comfortably at age 60 or work to age 66 because you cannot afford to retire.

What Makes the Ideal What Makes the Ideal Academic Job?Academic Job?

Results from a recently conducted survey: Most important – collegial colleagues,

congenial working conditions, and working with significant national figures.

Affordable housing, desirable location, and good public schools.

Good salary, benefits, and the chance to move up (good pay increase program).

Support structures that encourage research.

Recap…Recap…

What are the most important things for you to remember?

Key Points (in our Key Points (in our opinion)opinion)

Getting the InterviewCover LetterA pretty Vita is less important than a Strong one – publish now.

Surviving the InterviewEvery question has an agendaCarry your list of questions with you (refer to it when you get a chance)Know who you will be meeting with and what their expertise is.Pack a snackWear comfortable shoes

Key Points (in our Key Points (in our opinion)opinion)

Negotiating the ContractBalance Greed with Need

If you don’t need the $40,000 machine, don’t ask for it.Find out, what future opportunities you will have to get needed equipment or supplies.

You won’t get what you don’t ask forBe prepared to explain your requestsBe prepared not to get everything – make sure you know what is most important to you.

OverallTime consuming!Be honest – but advocate for yourselfTrite but true – You are interviewing them – is this where you want to live, work, and grow?

The Academic Job Search: An Overview

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