Northeastern University Career Services' presentation on seeking teaching jobs in higher education.

1. Academic Job
Search

2. Presentation Overview
 The job market
 Current reality
 Conquering, coping and Plan B
 Application Documents
 CV, cover letter, references
 Teaching philosophy, research statement
 Interviewing
 Campus visit, conference , phone, Skype

3. % of College Teaching Staffs
1975 2009
Full time tenured 29.0% 20.5%
Full time tenure track 16.1% 7.6%
Full time non-tenured 10.3% 15.1%
Part time non-tenured 24.0% 41.1%
Graduate students 20.5% 19.4%

4. Job Market for PhDs
 Shrinking number of tenure track positions,
especially in humanities
 Generally less pay, less choice in where to live
 Community colleges, industry, non-profit viable
options
 Non-academic career ≠ failure

5. Job Market for PhDs
 Focus on what you control- excellent preparation
 Apply to positions that are a good match
 Feeling discouraged or frustrated is normal
 Conquer feeling powerless with long term
planning for other options
 Network

6. Application Documents
 CV
 Follow the conventions of your field
 Tailor to institution
 Make it attractive, easy to read

7. Application Documents
 Cover letter
 First impression to committee
 Tailor specifically to position and
institution: 2-yr vs. 4-yr, etc.
 Specify what you will contribute,
why you are a great fit

8. Application Documents
 Letters of reference
 Plan early to ask recommenders and
make it easy for them
 Need at least three
 People who know you well, can
comment on different aspects

9. Application Documents
 Some or all may be part of
application
 Some may be requested after first
round
 Prepare in advance regardless

10. Application Documents
 Research statement
 Follow conventions of your field
 Focus on your future research
interests
 Consider the audience – expertise in
your field, how you complement
department

11. Application Documents
 Teaching philosophy
 Tailor to institution – size, mission
 Use concrete examples including
specifics about teaching your subject
 Avoid cliches: “student centered”
 Who inspired you - not overconfident
 How your research relates to teaching

12. Application Documents
 Teaching portfolio
 Usually requested after first round
 Can include student evaluation
summary, sample syllabi, course
descriptions

13. Interviewing
 Prepare and practice
 Be well informed about position,
institution, department, faculty research
 Be confident and sincerely enthusiastic
 Assume some haven’t read your CV
 Practice being concise
 Mock interview or practice aloud

14. Interviewing
 First round
 Phone or Skype
 Professional conventions
 Campus visit
 One or two days
 Many meetings over meals
 May include job talk, teaching demo

15. Interviewing
 Job talk
 Presentation of your research
 Understandable by lay audience
 Attend any on your campus
 Teaching demonstration
 Common at small LA or 2-yr colleges
 Teach a class, not a theoretical talk

16. Interviewing
 Some sample questions
 Please summarize your dissertation.
 What is your next research project?
 How do your research and teaching influence
each other?
 How would you teach X course?
 What course would you most like to teach?

17. Interviewing
 Additional types of questions
 Behavioral
 Inappropriate
 Belligerent
 Do you have any questions for us?
 Tailor to person asking
 Student body, department challenges, new
courses; show knowledge and interest

18. Why Should They Hire You?
 You are confident, enthusiastic, sincere, well
informed
 You understand their needs and can explain
convincingly how you can meet them
 The committee, chair, dean, grad students, and
others can easily imagine you fitting in
 You are someone they would enjoy having around

19. Dissertation Support Series
 Working with/Managing Your Advisor October 27
 Academic Job Search Panel November 10
 Presentation Skills for Job Search + December 1
 Antidotes to Stress December 15
Join our Linkedin group:
Northeastern University Doctoral Students