Strategies for Applying for a Job in Academia
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This document provides an overview of strategies for applying for academic jobs. It includes an agenda for a presentation on the topic which covers a brief overview of the academic job search process, tips for application materials like cover letters, CVs, research statements, and templates for phone and on-site interviews. The presentation is given by three academics who share their backgrounds and two tips for the job search. They also provide a timeline for the application and hiring process for both tenure-track and non-tenure track positions and discuss negotiating job offers.
Strategies for Applying for a Job in Academia
- 1. Strategies for Applying for a Job in Academia Nicole D. Jackson, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Yanfen Li, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Lowell Rebecca M. Reck, Ph.D., Kettering University Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are based on the experiences and research of the speakers.
- 2. Agenda ● Introductions (5 min) ● Brief overview of an academic job search (10 min) ● Flipped session (15 min) ○ Cover letter ○ CV ○ Research Statement ○ Teaching Philosophy Statement ○ Other Statements/Artifacts ● 2 unconference break out sessions (15 min each) Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 3. Nicole Jackson, Ph.D. ● Background ○ B.S. in Civil Engineering, 2005 ○ M.S. in Engineering Mechanics, 2008 ○ M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, 2012 ○ US EPA, 2014-2016 ○ Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, 2019 ○ Postdoctoral Appointee, Sandia National Lab starting 11/11/2019 ● Contact Info: ○ Email: jackson.nicole.d@gmail.com ○ Twitter: @JacksonNicoleD 1. Be honest with yourself 2. Involve your mentors in your search Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 4. Yanfen Li, Ph.D. ● Background ○ B.S. in Bioengineering, 2012 ○ Ph.D. in Bioengineering, 2018 ○ Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell 2018- Present ● Contact Info: ○ Email: yanfen_li@uml.edu ○ Twitter: @YanfenLi ○ Website: Yanfen.Li 1. Start earlier than you think and know the timeline 2. Don’t talk yourself out of negotiating Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 5. Rebecca Reck, Ph.D. ● Background ○ B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 2005 ○ Systems Engineer at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) 2005-2013 ○ M.S. in Electrical Engineering, 2010 ○ Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, 2016 ○ Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University, 2016 - Present ● Contact Info: ○ Email: rebecca@rebeccaee.com ○ Twitter: @rebeccaee ○ Website: www.rebeccaee.com 1. Don’t judge a school by its website 2. Keep your options open Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 6. Academic Job Search Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 7. Types of positions ● Tenure track faculty ● Teaching track faculty ● Non-tenure track faculty ● Lecturer/Instructor ● Visiting faculty ● Adjunct faculty ● Administration ● Post-doc ● Lab/Center Director Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 8. General Timeline for Tenure Track Fall Applications & Conferences Submit application documents and network at conferences Phone Interviews Short interviews via phone or video conference Duration 20 min. - 1 hour Nov. - Feb. Campus Interviews In-person interviews Early Spring Offer and Negotiation Schools send official offer letters and then there will be negotiations Late Spring Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 9. General Timeline for Non-Tenure Track Applications & Conferences Submit application documents and network at conferences Phone Interviews Short interviews via phone or video conference Duration 20 min. - 1 hour Campus Interviews In-person interviews Offer and Negotiation Schools send official offer letters and then there will be negotiations Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 10. General Timeline for Everything else ● Post Doc ● Other academic positions Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 11. Before You Apply ● Know what type of institution you’re interested in ○ Research specific institutions ● Know where to find job ads (e.g., Chronicle Vitae, HigherEdJobs, Academic Keys, professional societies, indeed) ● Culture your relationships ○ 3-10 references ○ Heads up on positions ○ Attend future faculty poster session in the National level conference in your field ○ GradSWE/WIA Networking Sessions at SWE conferences ○ Let people know you are on the job market! ● Find a way to organize your materials and keep track of deadlines Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 12. Faculty Application Package ● Cover letter ● CV ● Teaching Statement ● Research Statement ● 3-10 references (some schools ask for up to 10 references) ● Diversity Statement ● Postdoc proposal (some position combines postdoc training and faculty position together) ● Teaching portfolio or writing samples (Evidence of Teaching Statement) Read the job post carefully for exact requirements and length Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 13. Word cloud of required materials for 16 academic jobs Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 14. Phone Interview ● Prepare short (~2 min) and long (~5-7 min) version of answers ● Prepare answers for questions regarding ○ Research experience (novelty) ○ Proposal writing experience ○ 3-5 year plan of your lab ○ Teaching experience ○ Courses you can teach and develop ○ Ideas to promote diversity and inclusion ○ Ways to contribute to the university or profession beyond teaching and research ○ Why did you apply to that institution Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 15. On Site Interview ● Whole day process (and possibly the night before)! ● Multiple faculty and dean interviews ● Tours ● Meet students ● Deliver seminar and/or Sample lecture ● Chalk talk of future research ideas ● Meals ● (Sometimes there are two on-sites!) ● You’re interviewing them too! Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 16. Negotiating Things you can negotiate: ● Salary (annual and summer) ● Start up package (money, equipment, students, etc) ● Start date ● Lab space ● Teaching load ● Professional development funds ● 2-Body (Urban schools not as likely) Tips for success: ● Read HR website and your contract ● You can find salaries online for public universities ● Don’t be afraid to compare packages Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 17. Flipped Discussion Job Application Materials Staying Organized https://qrgo.page.link/4rhRv Prepared topics: ● Top Tips ● Resources ● Job Application Requirements ● Cover Letter ● Research Statement ● Teaching Statement ● CV ● Diversity Statement ● Other materials ● Staying organized ● Support networks Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 18. Top Tips* 1. Find a writing buddy (or buddies) 2. Start early and ask for feedback 3. Proofread 4. Customize the package for each institution 5. Don’t plagiarize 6. Google yourself 7. Update your online profiles 8. Do your homework 9. Network 10. Practice your answers *in no particular order Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 19. Resources ● Career center, graduate office, or teaching and learning center at your school ● Sessions at conferences ● Graduate student groups on campus ● Advisors/mentors ● Books ○ The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide To Turning Your Ph.D. Into A Job by Karen Kelsky, Ph.D. ○ The Academic Job Search Handbook by Jennifer S. Furlong and Julia Miller Vick ● Websites ○ Inside Higher Ed, The Chronicle, Interfolio Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 20. Cover Letter ● Using letterhead, be formal ● Intro paragraph that ends with a strong statement showing your connection ● Each body paragraph is trying to connect to one note of the job ad ● Closing paragraph: tie things together, say something about their engagement/commitment level ● Specifics matter; topic sentences matter ● Be straight forward! ● Add statements such as “please see my CV, research statement, teaching statement, etc. for more details!” ● “I am very interested in this position because my education, research, and teaching experience make me a good fit” — BORING ● Don’t put anything factual that doesn’t WOW ● But facts can really make an impact ● Don’t save the best for last ● Don’t make them search for important details/bury interesting details ● Keep the last paragraph short and sweet–> leave on a high note! Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 21. Research Statement ● Document should stand alone ● Be concise ● Focus on what you have done and plan to do ● Use active voice ● Do not make your plan sound like you are extending or adding to your dissertation ● Show a trajectory of publications ● Be clear with expected outcomes ● Include potential funding sources General Outline ● A brief intro with the overarching theme/topic ● A summary of your research plan and any early findings ● A summary of current research (if you have anything other than your dissertation) ● A summary of previous research and the major findings ● A conclusion that summarizes your research and the broader impacts ● References Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 22. Teaching Philosophy Statement ● 1-2 Pages ● Goals for teaching ● Describe what you do in the classroom ● Supported by evidence ● Avoid cliches ● Connect to accepted practice for your discipline ● Include courses you can teach ● Consider institution type ● Write it yourself Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 23. Curriculum Vitae (CV) Sections: ● Education ● Teaching ● Research ● Grants* ● Awards* ● Publications (journal, conference) ● Presentations* ● Outreach* ● Skills* ● Service ● Associations* ● Rearrange based on where you are applying ● Make it easy to read ● Put your most impressive points at the beginning– draw then in! ● Don’t be afraid to use bold, italics, and underlining to draw attention to different things ● Separate longer sections to highlight different points (awards, publications, etc.) Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 24. Diversity Statement ● Read the prompt carefully ● Demonstrate your awareness of diversity of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in higher education ● Explain how you work with different kinds of people ● Describe steps you take to avoid bias in the classroom ● Include examples of how you make your classroom/lab/research group inclusive ● Mention how your background and experiences have influenced your approaches ● Explain how you will prepare your students to work in a diverse/global industry Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 25. Other Materials ● Writing samples or papers ● Post-doc proposal - research plan if a rotation program ● Teaching portfolio - evaluations, example assignments, syllabi, etc. ● Lab budget ● Service statement - what will/have you contributed to the university, profession, and/or community
- 26. Staying Organized ● Trello ○ Cards for each institution ○ Reminders of deadlines ○ Checklist for required materials ● Google Drive ○ Generic documents ○ Folder for each institution ● Have a database of plain text info for application forms ● Save usernames/passwords Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 27. Support Networks Benefits ● Proofreading ● Idea generation ● Sharing resources ● Obtaining information that is not in the job post ● Heads up on positions Finding a network ● Department cohort ● Labmates ● Recent alumni ● Formal programs at your university ● Student groups ● Professional organizations like SWE ● Conferences ● Advisors, committee members Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 28. What is iFEAT? Program Purpose The purpose of iFEAT is to help female graduate students and postdoctoral students in various STEM fields prepare faculty application materials with the end goal of applying for an academic position. They also learn more about the application process itself and other best practices. Program Structure A combination of seminars and peer review sessions allow for the participants to write and rewrite their personal application materials, better preparing them for the faculty application process. It also gives a unique platform for engineering education research involving women in STEM fields preparing for academia. Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 29. Break Out Session 1 Law of 2 Feet - If you aren’t getting what you need, get up and use your 2 feet so that you are 1. Teaching Track 2. Tenure Track 3. Post Doc Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck
- 30. Break Out Session 2 Law of 2 Feet - If you aren’t getting what you need, get up and use your 2 feet so that you are 1. Organizing a program like iFEAT 2. Organizing your process 3. ??? Copyright 2019, Nicole D. Jackson, Yanfen Li, and Rebecca M. Reck