1. The Tricks and Traps
of Landing a Job in
Higher Education
Ron Knorr, PhD
Mercer University
Lienne Medford, EdD
Clemson University
2. Welcome
• The State of Employment in Higher Education
• Who is Hiring? Who are They Hiring?
• Finding Positions
• Getting Through the Screening Process
• Winning and Losing Applications
• Increasing Your Odds
• Questions
3. The State of Employment in Higher
Education
• Fiscal Issues
• Aging Workforce
• Competition for Positions
• Cyclical / Seasonal Factors
• International View
• Trends
– Partnerships, Community Colleges
– Venues (S&B, Balanced, Hybrid)
4. Who is Hiring ? Who are They Hiring?
• Traditional Colleges and Universities
• For-Profit Colleges and Universities
• Community Colleges
• Vocational/Technical Schools
• Educational Service Companies
• Manufacturing and Service Industries
• Military (DOD) and Military Contractors
5. Finding Positions
• Your Associates
• Faculty
• Contacting Colleges Directly
• Headhunters
• Major Clearinghouses for Positions in Higher
Education
9. Typical Ad for A College Teaching
Position
Interested candidates will need to complete the
brief online application and attach a letter of
interest, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching
philosophy and the names and contact
information for three references. Review of
applications will continue until the position is
filled.
10. The Winning Application Packet
• Letter of Interest and Qualification
• Vita
• Philosophy of Teaching/Research
• Getting Your References Lined Up
• Things to Avoid, Things to Emphasize
11. Letter of Interest and Qualification
• Hook or Traditional?
• Address Each Criteria
• Do Your Homework
– Website, Mission Statement, etc.
– Google Committee Names
12. Your Vita
• Playing to Your Strengths
• Minimizing Your Weaknesses
• Honesty
• Candor
13. What is in a Well-Written Vita?
• Content
• Presentation
• Language
• Spelling and Grammar
• Word Usage
• Consistency
17. Getting Your References Lined Up
• Know your references
• Know what they will say
• Use connections
• Know why you are using that reference for that
job
• Consider hidden/secondary references
18. The Interview
• Consider any interaction to be an interview
• Note all contacts
• Be honest but guarded
19. Increasing Your Odds
• Plan the Work, Work the Plan
• Know Your Content
• Know Your Market
• Know Your Competition
• Know Yourself