Landing Your First Academic Job: Application Process and Tips

1. Landing Your First Academic Job: Application Process and Tips AAEA Annual Meetings Portland, Oregon, July 30, 2007 Yin Xia Department of Agricultural Economics University of Missouri – Columbia

2. What Do Professors Do? • Research • Write proposals and bring in external research funds • Support research program and graduate students • Perform research • Publish in referred journals • Present at professional meetings • Extension and Outreach • Service • Serve on committees within one’s institution or in the profession • Provide professional services • Teaching and advising • Teach graduate and undergraduate courses • Advise graduate and undergraduate students

3. Faculty Recruiting Process • Position announcement • Initial interview at conventions • First “short list” • Second “short list” • Initial phone interview • Finalists for on-campus interview • On-campus interview • Offer and negotiation

4. Application Package • Additional items • transcript • Statement of research • Reprints of articles • Part of all of dissertation • Statement of teaching philosophy • Course syllabi or proposals • Course evaluations • Standard items • Cover letter • CV • Letters of recommendation

5. Application Package — Cover Letter • The first paragraph: convey basic information. • The next two to three paragraphs: tailor for your audience. • The final paragraph: request the next step in the process. • Be brief, yet highlight your accomplishments in research and teaching.

6. Application Package — CV • What not to include in a CV? • Business experience not directly related to academia or to the position • Detailed personal information • What to include in a CV? • Objective • Education • Research and teaching fields • Publications • Professional presentations • Teaching experience • Honors and awards • Professional services • Professional affiliations • References with names and full addresses

7. Application Package — Letters of Recommendation • Ask a potential referee for permission before supplying his/her names as a reference. • Provide the referees your up-to-date CV, copies of publications, and other application materials. • Contact your referees to confirm they send their letters upon request. • Choose your referees carefully.

8. On-Campus Interview • Research seminar • Teaching seminar • Meetings with the search committee • Meetings with individual or groups of faculty • Meeting with graduate students • Meeting with department chair • Meeting with deans • Meals with search committee members and/or other faculty members

9. On-Campus Interview — Before You Go • Collect information on • the institution • the department • the search committee members • other faculty members • Carefully prepare your presentations • Use appropriate visual aids, formats, colors, etc. • Communicate with the search committee about your equipment need. • Rehearse your seminar • Carry overhead slides as backup • Get prepared for most frequently asked questions • What have you done? • What are your future plans? • How will you contribute to (or fit in) the Department? • Review your itinerary

10. On-Campus Interview — When You are There • Exercise good manners and display collegiality • Show your interest in others’ work • The seminar • Familiarize yourself with seminar room before your seminar. • Connect to the audience during your seminar. • Handle questions appropriately. • Questions to ask and not to ask • Questions to ask • Questions not to ask • Be professional, be confident, and be yourself

11. On-Campus Interview — After the Interview • Inquire about hiring decision • Usually be informed within eight weeks • Contact the search committee after eight weeks • Write a follow-up thank-you letter • Re-state your interest in the position. • Mention several characteristics of the department that attract you

12. Be Tough and Persistent in Your Job Searchand Good Luck!