The Academic Job Search for Ph'D' Students

1
The Academic Job Search for Ph.D. Students

• Russell D. Meller, Eng., Virginia Tech
• Leslie Olin Morgan, Bus., Univ. of Utah
• Zelda Zabinsky, Eng., Univ. of Wash.
• brought to you by the
• INFORMS Job Placement Committee

2
Outline

• Summarize general information.
• Russ Meller will talk about Virginia Tech and
  Auburn University.
• Leslie Morgan will highlight Engineering/Business
  differences and Dual Career Issues.
• Zelda Zabinsky will expand into issues beyond
  than the interview process.
• QA

3
Elements of Process

• send cover letter and CV
• short interview/contact (phone, INFORMS)
• contact references
• on-site interview
• offer timetable

• send letters if asked
• some departments do not contact before interview
• timetable can vary if market or multiple
  positions are in the balance

4
Letter/CV

• Best to grab attention with your strengths up
  front.
• Address a need
• Dont like flashy CVs turned off by
  duplications or exaggerations.
• Big turn off Can teach everything!
• Screening occurs at multiple levels.
• All agreed dual career needs to be raised early.

• Education
• Research and Teaching Areas
• Honors and Awards
• Papers (or aspiration level?)
• Letter needs to address other issues (defense
  date, dual career, express interest, some
  name-dropping ok)

5
On-Site Interview

• Job Talk (50 minutes is standard?)
• Meet individually with faculty.
• Meet with groups of faculty.
• Meet with students.
• Meet with Department Head or Assoc. Dean.
• Meet with Dean.

• May meet with faculty outside of your
  department.
• We have no one-on-ones.
• Trying to assess if they would be a good fit.
• Are they a potential co-author?
• The Head will want to know if they have a
  funding plan.

6
On-Site Interview

• Job Talk Make-or-break issue at some schools.
• Teaching Assess quality and if fill a need.
• Fit From a personal point-of-view as well as a
  teaching and research point-of-view.
• Interview Them This is your best chance to
  learn about them. Also, the questions you ask
  tell as much about you as your resume, talk, etc.
• Your Goal Find out if they will reward what
  you will do naturally.