AN OVERVIEW – I N T H E C O N T E X T O F U.S . A C A D E M I C I N S T I T U T I O N S

I L E N E A L E X A N D E R , P H . D . C E N T E R F O R T E A C H I N G A N D L E A R N I N G

Academic Career Planning & Job Search Practicalities

Plan for Luck

Career Planning Mindset

Examine Institutional Types

Special Focus

Community Colleges

Comprehensive Universities

Liberal Arts Colleges

Research Institutions

Understand Faculty Roles

RESEARCH   TEACHING  

SERVICE  

RESEARCH  

TEACHING  

SERVICE  

Print Resources Person(al) Resources

  Academic 360   Academic Careers   Higher Education Jobs   Academic Keys   Nation Job Network   Academic Employment Network   University Jobs   Humanities & Social Sciences   Science   Science, Math, Engineering   Science & Engineering   Next Wave Science Careers

  Informational Interviews   Career Services   Specialty Librarians   Social Networks   Social Networking   Conference Organizers   Discipline-Focused Blogs   Graduate Student Organizations   Established Contact   Graduates+2   On-Going Networking

Seek Out Job Postings

Research Target Institutions

Research Your Own Self

Read Job Postings with Discernment

Position

Required a) b) c) d)

Fit!

Hummm…?

Desired When? What level? Whoa!?

Determine Core Documents

Learning & Teaching Philosophy

Research Statement / Research Plan

Cover Letter References

CV

Prepare Job Search Documents

Tell a (True & Strong) Story

Knowledge Skills Abilities Leadership Research Focus Collaborations Teaching Innovation

Communication skills Interpersonal skills Digital skills Interdisciplinarity Community Engagement Disciplinary Engagement Research mentoring

Develop Initial Static Documents

  Static documents will contain all information pertinent to convey your “fit” for a particular type of institution/

position

  Dynamic documents will contain information pertinent to a specific job posting

Adapt Static into Dynamic Documents

Static hair – Dynamic kid. All Rights Reserved for this Photograph.

Research Statement

Teaching Philosophy

References

Cover Letter

Peter Fiske’s “Commandments of Cover Letter Creation”

Plot & Assess Data

Position Requirements: Distinguish between Required and Desired

My Knowledge, Abilities & Skills: Distinguish between Attained & Working On

My Print & Online Documents: Required, Unique, Cutting Edge Aspects

Interaction Requirements: Interviews, Presentations & Conversation

Interaction Assessments: “Fit” Across Life & Career/Goals & Priorities

  Informational Interviews & Career Networking Events

  Academic Meetings

  Phone Screening

  Campus Visits   Panel Interview   Individual Meetings   Constituent Meetings   Teaching Demonstration   Research Presentation   Receptions & Meals   Elevators

Understand that the talking never stops

Make Wise Use of Small Windows of Time

Yeah, No… Better…

  Will I have teaching assistants?

  Can I teach in the summer?

  What’s my course load the 1st year?

  How much research am I expected to do to get tenure?

  What types of service activities will I be expected to engage in?

  What are my benefits?

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Ask Apt, Appropriate Questions

Practice Reciprocal Networking

  Reframe the concept of networking   act from curiosity to learn about people and what they do   activate your digital footprint, your personal brand

  Practice reciprocal networking   give someone a chance to be helpful – and to be helped in return someday   ask for advice and/or information – and initiate contact with others looking

  Ask colleagues to hear your story   feedback on content/format   insights on ways to grow professionally   lets others know you are “on the market”

  Seek people who are “stewards”

Manage Your Digital Presence

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeminglee/3983055366

Invent as You Go Schedule Time on Task

Plan for Luck in Job Searching

Resources

 UMinnesota http://z.umn.edu/gradguide

 Uwashingtonhttp://z.umn.edu/uwashington

 UIllinoishttp://z.umn.edu/uillinois

 UK Contexthttp://z.umn.edu/vitae