Academic Career Search
University of Nevada, Reno - Career Development
http://www.unr.edu/career/students/acs.aspx
Academic Career Search
Thompson Building, Rm 200
University of Nevada, Reno
Phone: (775) 784 - 4678
Fax: (775) 784 - 1884 careers@unr.nevada.edu
Preparation for the academic job search too frequently occurs during the final year of a graduate program which is just the time during which a student is frequently overwhelmed with the demands of a graduate assistantship and the completion of the dissertation. It requires a lot of preparation time. Beginning the process earlier will help avoid the last minute rush to write letters of application, customize your Curricula Vitae, get letters of recommendation, selecting writing or research samples, and locating openings. There tends to be a cycle of openings in each discipline during which several openings may occur within a few days. To avoid such a last minute rush and to maximize your effectiveness in this position search, facets of the process should be on-going as you build a strong candidate profile. The following outline should provide you with an overview of the process and help you better manage you're the activities in a timely and less stressful manner.
Outline of the Academic Job Search Process
STEP 1: Ongoing Preparation
Conduct a thorough self assessment of your strengths, accomplishments and interests (passions):
Academic strengths
Publications and conference presentations
Teaching experience
Research experience
Awards and honors
Committee or community participation
Academic and research contacts (networking)
Identify areas that need to be enhanced
Is your focus research or teaching?
How can you gain more experience in these areas?
Teach more classes, make presentations
Write papers and submit for publication
Do you have a mentor?
Keep current on the hiring state of affairs in your discipline
Check the ongoing postings in your area.
What types of experience seems to be in demand (for example: literature or composition in English)?
Identify the type of institution where you would prefer to work
Public 2 or 4 year institution
Private 2 or 4 year institution
Research Institution
Small Liberal Arts Institution
Identify institutions that have a strong focus in your discipline or area ( not just history but history of science) or seek interdisciplinary preparation
STEP 2. Prepare the paperwork to support your applications
Establish a Dossier file with your Career Development or your department office if it provides such a service.
List of courses/comprehensive exams (some institutions require official transcripts which should be sent from Admissions and Records)
At least three letters of recommendation (arrange to have these written well in advance in case the recommender is away for any reason) For some positions you may want a more custom recommendation written. You may want to add additional letters throughout the year.
You will request that the dossier be sent to search committees. You may provide your individualized application letter for the mailing. (If using Career Development, must plan to have three working days notice)
STEP 3. Locating position openings
There are many sources of openings for academic/research positions.
Chronicle of Higher Education. The primary source of openings in higher education. The university has a subscription enabling you to access the daily web version: http://chronicle.com/jobs/. A weekly hard copy is available in Career Development. You can develop a search engine on this site to alert you of new openings in your field. This site provides institutional profiles for your research.
Newsletters, both hard copy and internet versions, from professional associations connected to your field. (example, MLA Job letter, APA, IEEE, etc)
Professional Organizations
Conference Career Exchanges
STEP 3. Continually connect with your advisor/faculty during the process
Once you have identified a potential opening, inform your advisor and/or interested faculty of the details of the position. They may have a contact at the institution, may want to write another letter, and they may receive reference phone calls or email.
STEP 4 Prepare the Application Packet
It is critical that you read the application instructions and desired qualifications thoroughly. You don't want to be disqualified because of a small omission or failure to follow directions. Check the deadline date, do they want to receive it by the date or just want it postmarked by that time.
Check to see if they will accept it electronically or by fax. It could be a big mistake to rely on these last minute processes.
Find out as much as you can about this position. If possible contact the search committee chair and request an expanded job description or ask clarifying questions about the qualifications required and preferred. Use this information to guide your letter of application and/or develop a qualification summary for your CV.
Provide this information to your advisor/mentor. See if they have any words of wisdom about the application.
Don't provide more information than requested (large writing samples, chapters of your dissertation). Once your application has survived the initial application review, you will be informed if they want more information. Too much information in the initial application can be annoying and have a negative effect on the search committee reviewing the applications.
Send out the application. If you have a dossier, it is frequently sent out under separate cover as well as an official transcript if requested. Keep a copy of the application letter noting when mailed. Be aware of holidays which might cause mailing delays.
STEP 5 - Wait and be patient
The whole process may be quite lengthy. It may take a period of time to assemble the search committee and do the initial screening of applications.
Be prepared to receive a request for additional information
course syllabi or proposals
course evaluations
off prints or preprints of articles
all or part of your dissertation
statement of teaching philosophy
Teaching Portfolio
Video documenting your teaching ability
STEP 6 Interviewing
Your opportunity to interview may come in several forms and require additional research and preparation. Because of the expense of on-campus interviews, committees usually conduct screening interviews which may occur at Conference/Annual Meetings or via the phone. Both of these interviews may feel somewhat impersonal and very stressful.
Academic Career Search
