How to Apply for an Academic Position Workshop #1 of How to Jump Start Your Academic Career Michael Gooseff [email protected] Nov. 27, 2007 CEE Penn State University

How to Apply for an How to Apply for an Academic PositionAcademic Position

Workshop #1 of Workshop #1 of How to Jump How to Jump Start Your Academic CareerStart Your Academic Career

Michael GooseffMichael Gooseff

[email protected]@psu.eduNov. 27, 2007

CEE Penn State University

ResourcesResources►Handout with this presentationHandout with this presentation

make lots of notesmake lots of notes

►Web page: Web page: www.engr.psu.edu/mgooseff/academic.htmwww.engr.psu.edu/mgooseff/academic.htmll Evolving resource of advice, links, and Evolving resource of advice, links, and

experiencesexperiences

ANGEL group site?ANGEL group site?

►The faculty!The faculty!

Part 1 OverviewPart 1 Overview

►How the position originates…How the position originates…►Your motivationYour motivation►Are you prepared?Are you prepared?►Reading (and translating) adsReading (and translating) ads►Should You Apply?Should You Apply?►Writing Your ApplicationWriting Your Application►Follow-upFollow-up

Part 2 – Part 2 – How to Interview for an How to Interview for an Academic PositionAcademic Position Overview Overview

►Preparing to interviewPreparing to interview Research the institutionResearch the institution Teaching/research seminarsTeaching/research seminars Questions, questionsQuestions, questions

►What to expect when you are thereWhat to expect when you are there Whom you are likely to meetWhom you are likely to meet Fair questions/unfair questionsFair questions/unfair questions

How Does the Process Work?How Does the Process Work?

► Position/specialty Position/specialty need is identified by need is identified by a departmenta department

►Department Department requests the “line” requests the “line” from administration; from administration; line is approvedline is approved

► A search committee A search committee is formedis formed

► A description is A description is writtenwritten

► HR edits/approves the HR edits/approves the descriptiondescription

► Ads are initiatedAds are initiated

► POSITION NOW EXISTSPOSITION NOW EXISTS

► Applications are Applications are submittedsubmitted

How Does the Process Work?How Does the Process Work?► You should receive You should receive

confirmationconfirmation

► ALL applications are ALL applications are reviewedreviewed

► A short-list (10-12?) of A short-list (10-12?) of qualified/preferred qualified/preferred applicants is generatedapplicants is generated

► References contacted References contacted

► The top 3-4 applicants The top 3-4 applicants are decided uponare decided upon

► The top 3-4 applicants The top 3-4 applicants are invited to interview are invited to interview

► You will be contactedYou will be contacted

► Interviews occur…Interviews occur…

► An offer is made to the An offer is made to the most preferred candidatemost preferred candidate

► Dept head, dean, or head Dept head, dean, or head of search will call youof search will call you

► Happiness ensues…Happiness ensues…



MotivationMotivation

►Why do you want an academic career?Why do you want an academic career?

►Where do you want to go?Where do you want to go? Top tier research universityTop tier research university Less than top tier research universityLess than top tier research university Top tier teaching schoolTop tier teaching school Less than top tier teaching schoolLess than top tier teaching school Research institutionResearch institution



Are You Prepared?Are You Prepared?► Have you published or do you have Have you published or do you have

papers in review or in press?papers in review or in press?

► Have you designed coursework and/or Have you designed coursework and/or taught before?taught before?

► Have you published or do you have Have you published or do you have papers in review or in press? (papers in review or in press? (it’s it’s important enough to mention more important enough to mention more than oncethan once))

► Where do Where do youyou want to go with want to go with youryour research?research?

Are You Prepared?Are You Prepared?►Have you published or do you have papers Have you published or do you have papers

in review or in press? (no really, it is…)in review or in press? (no really, it is…)

►Have you presented your research at large Have you presented your research at large conferences?conferences?

►To be ahead of your competition you should To be ahead of your competition you should demonstrate that you can succeed indemonstrate that you can succeed in Scholarship (publications) Scholarship (publications) Academics (teaching)Academics (teaching) Research (‘grantsmanship’; project execution)Research (‘grantsmanship’; project execution) Service (being a team player)Service (being a team player)



Where to Find AdsWhere to Find Ads► Institution HR or dept Institution HR or dept

web pagesweb pages

► Scientific/Engineering Scientific/Engineering publication classifiedspublication classifieds

► Scientific/Engineering Scientific/Engineering organization or society organization or society classifiedsclassifieds

►Higher Education Higher Education Journals and websitesJournals and websites

► Most of these are on Most of these are on the web!the web!

► A few other A few other considerations:considerations: Do you care where you Do you care where you

live?live?

Do you want a big Do you want a big school or small school school or small school feel?feel?

Is tailgating important?Is tailgating important?

What do they mean?What do they mean?

►Common phrases in position ads:Common phrases in position ads: ““tenure track position”tenure track position” ““teach at the undergraduate and teach at the undergraduate and

graduate levels”graduate levels” ““develop a nationally and internationally develop a nationally and internationally

recognized research program”recognized research program”

Watch the adjectives and adverbsWatch the adjectives and adverbs►Many superlatives will show up Many superlatives will show up

Example Ad #1 – Structural Example Ad #1 – Structural Eng.Eng.The Department of Architectural Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is The Department of Architectural Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is

seeking applications for two full-time, academic year tenure track positions for seeking applications for two full-time, academic year tenure track positions for the teaching of structural analysis, design, and construction of buildings. Starting the teaching of structural analysis, design, and construction of buildings. Starting date is September 8, 2008. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and date is September 8, 2008. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Candidates should also have a strong interest in the inter-experience. Candidates should also have a strong interest in the inter-relationship between structural engineering and architecture and construction, relationship between structural engineering and architecture and construction, both in the academic context and in practice. Required qualifications for the both in the academic context and in practice. Required qualifications for the position are either: a doctorate in structural engineering or a closely related field, position are either: a doctorate in structural engineering or a closely related field, along with evidence of scholarship related to building structures; or a master`s along with evidence of scholarship related to building structures; or a master`s degree in structural engineering, a structural engineering license (or equivalent degree in structural engineering, a structural engineering license (or equivalent with the ability to obtain an S.E. license within 3 years) and significant experience with the ability to obtain an S.E. license within 3 years) and significant experience in professional practice (a minimum of 10 years of full-time practice.) In addition in professional practice (a minimum of 10 years of full-time practice.) In addition to teaching and service, the successful candidate is expected to be active in the to teaching and service, the successful candidate is expected to be active in the scholarship of teaching, discovery, integration and/or application. For more scholarship of teaching, discovery, integration and/or application. For more information and to complete a required online faculty application, please visit information and to complete a required online faculty application, please visit WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG and search for Requisition #101422. Review of WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG and search for Requisition #101422. Review of applications will begin December 17, 2007. Applications received after this date applications will begin December 17, 2007. Applications received after this date may be considered.may be considered.

Example Ad #2Example Ad #2Colorado School of Mines (CSM) invites applications for an Colorado School of Mines (CSM) invites applications for an anticipated tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the field anticipated tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the field of Surface Water/Watershed Hydrology. The successful of Surface Water/Watershed Hydrology. The successful candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, direct graduate research, and develop a strong, externally direct graduate research, and develop a strong, externally funded research program. Candidates must possess a doctoral funded research program. Candidates must possess a doctoral degree in an appropriate science or engineering field, potential degree in an appropriate science or engineering field, potential for excellence in teaching, the ability to develop external for excellence in teaching, the ability to develop external research funding, and superb interpersonal and communication research funding, and superb interpersonal and communication skills. Registration as a Professional Engineer, or the skills. Registration as a Professional Engineer, or the qualifications to become registered, is required. For a complete qualifications to become registered, is required. For a complete job announcement and instructions on how to apply, please visit job announcement and instructions on how to apply, please visit our web site at http://www.is.mines.edu/hr/Faculty_Jobs.shtm.our web site at http://www.is.mines.edu/hr/Faculty_Jobs.shtm.

CSM is an EEO/AA employer.CSM is an EEO/AA employer.

Example Ad #3Example Ad #3

Penn State University2006-07 ‘season’



Why Apply?Why Apply?

►You fit the position description You fit the position description and need a job soon!and need a job soon!

►You fit the description, but You fit the description, but won’t be done for a year or so…won’t be done for a year or so…

►You marginally fit the job You marginally fit the job description but think this will be description but think this will be a good networking opportunitya good networking opportunity

Distance from

‘ideal’ situation



Your ApplicationYour Application►Presentation “on paper” is everythingPresentation “on paper” is everything

Lists of accomplishments look goodLists of accomplishments look good

►Typical Components:Typical Components: Cover Letter (1 pg, 2 w/exp)Cover Letter (1 pg, 2 w/exp) Statement of teaching interests (1 pg, 2 w/exp)Statement of teaching interests (1 pg, 2 w/exp) Statement of research interests (1 pg, + Statement of research interests (1 pg, +

w/exp)w/exp) CV (several pages)CV (several pages) Reference list (1 page)Reference list (1 page)

Your Application – Cover Your Application – Cover LetterLetter

► ComponentsComponents Be explicit – “I am applying to…”Be explicit – “I am applying to…”

Convince the reader you are the right fit for Convince the reader you are the right fit for the institution and the position descriptionthe institution and the position description

This is the only place you can ‘explain’ This is the only place you can ‘explain’ yourself, so be careful what you say!yourself, so be careful what you say!

Be courteous – “Thank you for reviewing…”Be courteous – “Thank you for reviewing…”

Your Application – Cover Your Application – Cover LetterLetter

► Some Don’ts:Some Don’ts: Do not embellish. Demonstrate that you Do not embellish. Demonstrate that you

are a good fit, but let your references are a good fit, but let your references give you kudosgive you kudos

Do not use letterhead from your current Do not use letterhead from your current institution.institution.

Do not make any judgments, particularly Do not make any judgments, particularly if they are negative (I don’t like…)if they are negative (I don’t like…)

Your Application – Your Application – Statement of Teaching InterestsStatement of Teaching Interests► If you have no teaching experience or only If you have no teaching experience or only

TA experience, then convince the reader TA experience, then convince the reader that that You have great ideas for how to teachYou have great ideas for how to teach

►Maybe even draw on your own educational Maybe even draw on your own educational experiencesexperiences

You will be a terrific teacher byYou will be a terrific teacher by►Developing excellent class materialsDeveloping excellent class materials►Using cutting-edge teaching techniques Using cutting-edge teaching techniques

►Convey enthusiasm for teaching!Convey enthusiasm for teaching!

Your Application – Your Application – Statement of Teaching InterestsStatement of Teaching Interests► If you have do have teaching If you have do have teaching

experience, thenexperience, then Convince the reader that your experience Convince the reader that your experience

has made you a better teacherhas made you a better teacher

Provide evidence (even if anecdotal) of your Provide evidence (even if anecdotal) of your effectivenesseffectiveness►Student verbal responsesStudent verbal responses►Student evaluations of teachingStudent evaluations of teaching

►Convey enthusiasm for teaching!Convey enthusiasm for teaching!

Your Application – Your Application – Statement of Research InterestsStatement of Research Interests►BrieflyBriefly state your important findings to state your important findings to

datedate

►Demonstrate how you will leverage that Demonstrate how you will leverage that experience to move the state of science experience to move the state of science forwardforward Articulate the directionArticulate the direction Will you work with others? In particular?Will you work with others? In particular? Incorporate graduate and undergraduates?Incorporate graduate and undergraduates?

Your Application – Your Application – Statement of Research InterestsStatement of Research Interests

►A common question – “Where will you A common question – “Where will you seek funding for your big ideas?”seek funding for your big ideas?” Thus, it’s worth thinking about how your Thus, it’s worth thinking about how your

research may be fundedresearch may be funded

►Distinguish yourself from your Distinguish yourself from your advisoradvisor and your peersand your peers

Your Application – Your Application – CVCV

►This should include the following parts:This should include the following parts: Contact infoContact info Education historyEducation history Employment history (applicable to academia)Employment history (applicable to academia) Teaching experience (if not already covered)Teaching experience (if not already covered) Advising (if you have done any)Advising (if you have done any) Honors and AwardsHonors and Awards Publications (Publications (KEYKEY)) Conference presentations (list may be too long)Conference presentations (list may be too long) Professional Service Professional Service

Your Application –Your Application –Reference ListReference List

► 1 page only1 page only

► Be confident that your refs will write positive, and Be confident that your refs will write positive, and effective letterseffective letters

► If they ask for If they ask for nn, give them , give them nn+1+1

►Give them full information, including whether Give them full information, including whether they will be on sabbatical leave or not (and may they will be on sabbatical leave or not (and may be difficult to reach)be difficult to reach)

►Give them just a Give them just a littlelittle narrative about how these narrative about how these folks relate to youfolks relate to you

A few more thoughtsA few more thoughts►Example publications are not always Example publications are not always

requested, but if you have 1 or 2, include requested, but if you have 1 or 2, include them in your applicationthem in your application

►You never know what people are going to You never know what people are going to read so,read so, A A littlelittle redundancy is okay (but limit it) redundancy is okay (but limit it) Make sure grammar and spelling are correct!Make sure grammar and spelling are correct!

►After generating a few of these, it will After generating a few of these, it will become easier to modify for specific adsbecome easier to modify for specific ads

A few more thoughtsA few more thoughts►Number the pages of your application Number the pages of your application

xx/total just in case some part of it gets /total just in case some part of it gets misplacedmisplaced

►Remember that an honest portrayal of Remember that an honest portrayal of who you are will be best for all involvedwho you are will be best for all involved

►Regardless of what happens for each Regardless of what happens for each application, it is always improving…application, it is always improving…



Follow-upFollow-up

► What you should expect from them…What you should expect from them… Acknowledgement of receipt of your Acknowledgement of receipt of your

materialsmaterials No news is good news – for a whileNo news is good news – for a while

► Should you call/email?Should you call/email? Sure, at any reasonable timeSure, at any reasonable time However, However, BE PATIENTBE PATIENT

The EndThe End

►Resources:Resources:►Web pageWeb page►ANGEL siteANGEL site

►Please evaluate this workshop via the ANGEL Please evaluate this workshop via the ANGEL site after it is established; site after it is established;

►All constructive criticism is welcome!All constructive criticism is welcome!

►CEE FacultyCEE Faculty

Documents

How to Apply for an Academic Position Workshop #1 of How to Jump Start Your Academic Career Michael Gooseff [email protected] Nov. 27, 2007 CEE Penn State University