GS 650: PPF-The Faculty Job InterviewReflections on my Experience on the Job Market

Christson Adedoyin, PhD, MSWCollege of Social WorkUniversity of Kentucky

April 9, 2012UK Gatton B&E 309

Presentation Outline

1. What are your short and long term goals with your PhD degree?

2. Which school /organization do you envision working at? Why?, How? When?

3. The current Job Market realities4. Being competitive and employable with your PhD5. Applications, interviews, campus visits, follow-up6. Closing

What are your goals with your PhD degree?

• Short term professional goals with your PhD– What you can do now and here at the COSW UK

– Collaborate now, maximize this opportunity

• Long term professional goals with your PhDYour Niche, Building networks, Mentors, Conferences, Org. Memberships

Which School /Organization do you envision working at? Why?, How? When?

• Rankings of Social Work Programs as a factor– http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-g

raduate-schools/search.result/program+top-health-schools/top-social-work-schools+y#

• Ranking of Colleges/Universities/ Institutions and See Carnegie …– http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/lookup_listing

s/institution.php

• Regionalization of Recruitment ( See where their faculties are drawn from)

The Current Job Market realities

• Know the Job market at least 12-24months in advance through Chronicle of Higher Education or Indeed.com

• Intentionally plan and work to meet market expectations

• New Reality: Tenure starts at Recruitment• New Reality: Teaching & Research versatility – (Experience teaching at BSW, MSW levels)– Choice teaching experience sought HBSE, Practice,

Research, Innovative course… International SW– Research ( Publication , Grant experience, Presentation,

Journal Reviewer…

Being Competitive and Employable with your PhD

• Be realistic, focused and intentional• Scholarship distinguishes– Have your Niche and unique area of research– Within your targeted College /program Be a

unique Contributor and not a Competitor– Research Methodology and Designs counts (Social

Network, Meta-analysis… Everybody does SPSS!!!)• Accomplishments counts• C.V. speaks…• Teaching and Research Philosophies

Develop Networks

• Your Mentors count: You’re a mirror of your mentor

• Volunteer locally, regionally and nationally• Attend Conferences as a Student Volunteer• Know the “gate-keepers” in your Niche

Application Process• Apply as soon as its advertised: (Timing matters; Use a Template)

• Applying for a Job is Job itself: (Be prepared for 2 hours [HR system])

• Customize your Application (to Vision, Mission of the program and view faculty profile)

• Check if there are Instructors or Adjuncts with PhDs. REDFLAG!

• Document your interviews, specific referees, dates applied and feedbacks

• Office of International Affairs??? Check before applying

Types of Interviews

– Behavioral / Situational (In-Class or professional experience)

– Experiential (Teaching, Research, etc)

– Protocol- Insider / Choice already made– Confrontational/Fault-finding– Desperate for You (Demographic or Specialty)

*International Equivalence (Get US equivalent ready)

Media of Interview

– Phone interview(Get all details ready (Vision statement, CV, Be sure It’s a School and not a Dept. Familiarity with webpage, Faculty profile and faces etc)

– Skype Interview (Dressing, Demeanor, Decibel)– Conferences ( Apply ahead of the conference,

make sure you’re presenting, Booths, go to College or Program Receptions at evenings,

Don’t forget to send a Thank You email for the interview opportunity

Campus Visit• Paying your way and later reimbursed (New)• Ensure Logistic is well planned ahead and know

who’s picking you etc• Request an itinerary and who’s chaperoning• Ask questions from the airport in the car• Scan your environment- You will know if this is

the place!!!- Organization, collegiality, pretense..• Presentation (Thumb drive, online as back-up)• Negotiate by at least 5k more (Conferences, Tenure, benefits,

relocation, software etc; Remind in email as evidence of documentation)

Office of OIA???(If yes, request a visit there) ( If not Don’t pursue… Don’t take a chance with

your Immigration process)

Websites of Choice( This is Social Work Specific)

1. http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Assistant+Professor+of+%22Social+Work%22&l=2. http://74.205.58.111/jobCategory/Social-work-human-services/61/ (Chronicle)3. http://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/search.cfm?JobCat=1694. http://liberalartsfacultyjobs.com/index.php?

option=com_noah&Itemid=2&v=g&method=showhtmllist&list=classifiedscategory&rollid=9&fromfromlist=classifiedscategory&fromfrommethod=showhtmllist&clearoff=1

5. http://www.gadephd.org/employment.asp6. http://careers.cswe.org/jobseeker/search/results/7. http://www.idealist.org/