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The Academic Job Search

The Academic Job Search . John Burton Associate Professor and Director American Studies DePaul University. Types of Positions. Tenure-Track Assistant Professors Instructors Visiting Positions—One-Year Visiting Positions—Renewable Senior Positions (Full and Associate Professors).

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The Academic Job Search

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  1. The Academic Job Search John Burton Associate Professor and Director American Studies DePaul University

  2. Types of Positions • Tenure-Track Assistant Professors • Instructors • Visiting Positions—One-Year • Visiting Positions—Renewable • Senior Positions (Full and Associate Professors)

  3. Academic Job Search:The Faculty View What happens before the search begins: • Institutional Needs Assessment • Position Proposal & Description • Faculty Search Committee

  4. Timetable • Positions approved later Spring or Early Summer • Advertisement in late Summer or Autumn • Interviews at National Conferences in Autumn/Early Winter • Interviews Winter • One-Year Positions in late Spring

  5. The Search Committee • Membership • Background • Time Commitment • Length of Service • Politics

  6. Finding Open Positions • Begin Early • Search widely (Chronicle, H-Net, Journals and Newsletters) • Job Listings at Professional Organizations • Check locally

  7. Reading the Job Ad • What is the department looking for? • “Double” Description • Teaching vs. Research • Vague or specific • Who are they?

  8. Research the Institution • Job Description • Check the Web • Ask Friends

  9. Applying for the Position • Curriculum Vitae • Cover Letter

  10. Curriculum Vitae--Parts • Education • Teaching Experience Courses Taught • Research Papers & Publications • Service & Work Experience

  11. Curriculum Vita--Tips • Make it comprehensive, but don’t pad it • Avoid Gimmicks • Make it easy to Read • Keep it chronological • Proof Read, Proof Read, Proof Read The Typical CV gets less than one minute of attention

  12. The Cover Letter • Personalize • Call attention to your strengths • Tailor to the Institution • Include a teaching philosophy • Describe your research succinctly The Cover letter is your one chance to stand out—It may only be skimmed so make it clear and direct

  13. References • Identify before you begin the job search • Provide copies of your CV and basic cover letter • Tailor the references to different aspects of your experience • Should include your dissertation chair

  14. Where to Apply • The Long Shot??? • “I could teach that. . . .” • The Nineteenth Century is really just the late eighteenth Century. . . . • Is Neurobiology Environmental Science? Think really carefully about applying outside your field. You probably will be wasting time and money

  15. Assembling the Packet • Get the details right—position title, department name, and university • Don’t fold • Don’t call the department unless absolutely necessary • Don’t include more than requested (don’t send your book if they haven’t asked)

  16. Reviewing the Applications • 200+ applications common • 4-5 faculty review committees • Creating a Short List (Politics & Personalities) • Phone or National Conference interviews

  17. The “Phone Call” • Get the information you need to interview well. • Ask what you need to prepare or provide. • Be as professional as possible (change your voice mail message if necessary) • Try not to call back to the department before the initial interview

  18. Initial Interview • Often only ½ hour • Keep your responses succinct and direct • Watch your interviewers—if more than one, make sure to focus on all of them • Dress Appropriately—error on being to formal than not formal enough • Be polite but not overly personal

  19. On-Campus Interview • Study the Institution • Learn about the Department & Faculty • Be prepared with Syllabi, Papers, Articles • Sleep well! • Take breaks when provided

  20. Parts of the Interview • Teaching Presentation • Research Presentation • Interviews • Campus Tour

  21. Teaching Presentation • Take it really seriously • Know about the course and/or audience • Directed to both students and faculty • Don’t depend on the students or faculty for success

  22. Research Presentation • Make it interesting!! • Not everyone attending may be in your field • Be prepared for technology snafus • You’re the expert!!

  23. Interviews • Answer the questions directly—then stop talking! • Look at everybody in the room • Be prepared for academic disputes between faculty

  24. End of the Search:The Job Offer!!! Next Steps: Tenure!!

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