The document provides guidance on various aspects of the academic job search process, including identifying potential positions, developing application materials like a cover letter and writing samples, preparing for interviews, conducting campus visits, and accepting a job offer. Key points covered include using professional networks and job listing sites to find positions; tailoring a 2-3 page cover letter and choosing 1-2 writing samples most relevant to the job; getting references to submit letters of recommendation; practicing job talks with feedback; conducting research on campuses visited; and negotiating aspects of a job offer beyond salary like start-up funds and course buyouts.

1. September 19, 2011
Anne-Lise Halvorsen, Raven McCrory, Michelle Purdy

2. Overview
Introductions
Identifying positions/searches
Developing a cover letter
Preparing writing samples
Identifying references
Practice job talks
Interviews
Visits
Accepting an offer
Other questions
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3. Identifying Positions/Searches
Assistant Professor Positions
 Chronicle of Higher Education
 Higheredjobs.com
 Professional Associations (e.g., AERA NCTM, NCTE) – sign up for list-servs
 Advisor/Diss. Committee
 Peers
Detective Work
 Find out whether a given search committee is open to candidates who don’t directly
match the job description
Other Positions (e.g., Sch. District, Govt., Non-Profit, Research Firm)
 Education Week
 Formal announcements
 Professional networks
 Educational Researcher
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4. Developing a Cover Letter
 About 2 to 3 pages in length
 Components: introduction, dissertation, university teaching experience, K-12
teaching experience, other research experience/publications, courses taken,
goals for future (research/teaching)
 Personalize the letter in some ways
 Look at examples
 Get lots of feedback from a variety of people
 Use same/similar letter for different positions
 Modify letter based on specifics of position
 For tips, see: http://careerservices.aces.illinois.edu/cover+letters
 The cover letter is important! If it isn’t convincing, the committee won’t
ever get to the rest of the file (note: last year, the MSU math search
committee received over 50 applicants; the equity search committee
received over 100 – so if you want the job, explain why, and why you fit,
in a persuasive way).
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5. Preparing Writing Samples
Possible writing samples
 Choose most important publications/pieces of writing
 Choose writing samples based on specifics of position
 Sole-authored publication(s)
 1st-authored publication(s)
 1 to 2 chapters from dissertation (but do NOT send your entire
dissertation)
 Avoid submitting 3 pieces where you are 3rd author (on all 3)
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6. Identifying References
 Begin process early – give your recommender plenty of lead time
 You will need at least 3 references, preferably 4 -- only ask someone to serve
as a reference if you are confident that they will write a strong letter on your
behalf (consider providing a bulleted list of points you would like the
reference to emphasize)
 Share job descriptions with your references: consider creating a document
with a table that lists position, name and address of contact institution,
deadline, what points to emphasize in the letter, etc. to share with
recommenders
 For some positions, you will just list their names and contact info; for other
positions, you will need your references to submit letters when you apply
 There are services you can use so that each reference just writes one letter
 Share your cover letter and CV with your references
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7. Doing Practice Job Talks
Practice presenting/going through your material
Do 1-2 practice job talks in the fall or in January (e.g.,
literacy colloquy, ed policy workshop, informal group) –
find someone who you think gives good talks and have
him/her critique it
More practice!
You want to be exposed to lots and lots of substantive
questions, anticipate typical questions (e.g., what is the
contribution of your research; how do your findings apply
to your teaching, etc.)
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8. Doing Practice Job Talks (continued)
Make sure your job talk does not get mired down in
details of your analysis – you can always answer particular
questions about that if they come up – make sure your job
talk DOES focus on the “big picture” of your work – how
does your research contribute to the field? Influence
policy? Influence practice?
You also want feedback on your presentation style
You want to project confidence, familiarity with material
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9. Skype, Phone Interviews
Prior to the interview, get as much clarity as you can
about what the interviewers want from you during the
interview (e.g., short research talk? Short presentation of
yourself? Only answering questions?)
Then, try to do what they want during the interview.
You will sometimes receive specific questions ahead of
time
Difficult situation due to technology/distance
Stay positive; don’t let one question throw you off
Pause; look for cues re: whether to say more
If necessary, ask interviewer(s) to rephrase question (don’t
ask this too many times)
Be sure to have your own questions to ask of the
interviewers
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10. Visits
 1 to 2 days -- usually a very full schedule
 Do homework so that you know some things about the people you’re
meeting with and the institution
 Some institutions require a teaching demonstration
 Job talk is very important
 Lots of one-on-one, small-group meetings
 Don’t try to be all things to all people
 Be sociable; they are evaluating your academic potential and whether
you will be a good colleague
 Visits can be tiring and stressful
 Remember – you are also evaluating the institution to see if you want
a job! Would you really, actually like to work there?
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11. Accepting an Offer: Salary isn’t the whole story!
Job Offer
You usually have a short window to give a response
You have the most leverage before you accept a position;
at the same time, many institutions (especially now) are
financially strapped and have to stick to their budget
You can counter-offer re: salary. But you might be better
off countering with other start-up items (you will find
later on that time can be just as valuable as salary)
course buyout(s)
start-up funds
moving allowance
computer/technology funds
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12. Accepting an Offer: Salary isn’t the whole story!
Job Offer
 Other institutional policies can make the same salary very different
 administrative/teaching funds
 travel support
 admin. responsibilities
 summer pay
 retirement contributions and other benefits (e.g., tuition reduction)
 Ask about expectations re: publishing, teaching, grant activity, service/admin.
roles
 Ask about junior faculty mentoring, pre-tenure release time
 If you haven’t had experience negotiating salary/other issues, practice and talk
with others to get advice
 Consider cost of living (e.g., NYC vs. Ames, Iowa)
 You will never know unless you ask!
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13. Good Luck!
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