My Academic Job Search Experience

1
My Academic Job Search Experience

• Hoa Nguyen
• Florida State University

2
Outline

• Preparation
• Applications
• Interviews
• Job Offers
• Reflections

3
Job Search Preparation

• Attend workshops at the Career Center in the
  Spring semester.
• Start working on job portfolio in early summer.
• Write CV, research statement, teaching statement,
  and AMS coversheet.
• Make a personal website.
• Prepare other materials list of publications,
  list of taught courses, teaching portfolio,
  generic cover letter (check Dr. Dennys
  instructions) and copies of transcripts.
• Have everything revised and proofread by friends,
  advisor and career service.

4
Important Notes

• Attend workshops tailored for academic jobs.
• Opportunity for women finishing their PhDs
  Career Mentoring Workshop (Summer 2008, Wheaton
  College, Massachusetts).
• In a cover letter, mention your plan to be at the
  Joint Meeting.

5
Applications

• Start in August.
• Apply for jobs at Jobs for mathematicians
  (http//www.mathjobs.org/jobs), EIMS
  (http//www.ams.org/eims/), Chronicle Careers
  (http//chronicle.com/jobs/), SIAM Careers
  Jobs (http//www.siam.org/careers/) and job ads
  from Notices.
• Choose about 5 references (2 of them should write
  about your teaching ability) and request letters
  of recommendation.

6
Important Notes

• Keep track of the applications (by Word document,
  folder, binder, etc).
• Set up 1 day / week to check job ads and submit
  applications.
• To request letters of recommendation, give your
  references
• Copies of the job ads with the deadlines
  highlighted.
• Departmental envelopes with printed address
  labels.
• Customize a cover letter for each school based on
  the generic one and the job requirements.

7
Phone Interviews

• Reply to the school about a suitable date and
  time for the interview (make sure about the time
  zone). Give your phone number to the
  interviewers.
• Prepare answers to common interview questions.
• Do some searching about the school, its
  department and the open position. Write down your
  list of questions.
• Use a land-line phone and be in a quiet room
  during the call.
• Take notes during the interview.
• Ask when you will hear back from the school.
• Practice your interview skills by using the Mock
  Interview Program of the Career Center.

8
AMS/MAA Joint Meeting and Employment Center

• Start checking information in September.
• Look for funding or travel grant.
• Prepare a talk or poster to present at the
  conference.
• Register for the Joint Meeting and Employment
  Center services ASAP (do not miss deadlines to
  submit title and abstract of the talk, and fill
  out a brief resume online for Winter List of
  Applicants).

9
Important Notes

• Keep track of all the deadlines of this Joint
  Meeting.
• No interviews held for research-oriented
  postdoctoral positions.
• Two options for applicants
• ALL Employment Center services (computer
  scheduling system, form posted in Winter List of
  Applicants, Winter List of Employers received by
  mail, use of Employment Message Center, available
  for employer-scheduled interview center).
• Message Center and Winter Lists ONLY (everything
  EXCEPT use of the computer scheduling system).

10
Pre-Interview

• In December, schools will send emails to set up
  interview schedules either at the Employment
  Center of the Joint Meeting or somewhere near
  there.
• Check the mailed Winter List of Employers to
  contact the schools of interest and ask for
  interview opportunities.
• Keep track of all the scheduled interviews (date,
  time, school, department name, information about
  interviewers).
• Learn about these schools and their departments
  online. Make a folder for each school, containing
  important facts and your list of questions
  (reference http//www.ams.org/notices/199810/comm
  -hull.pdf).
• Check the schedule of the Employment Center.
  Submit interview request forms for
  computer-scheduled interviews.

11
Pre-Interview (cont.)

• Bring at least 10 copies of job application
  documents. Put each portfolio in a large
  envelope.
• Have extra copies of CV ( 20) to put in the
  message folder at the Employment Center for
  public use.
• Buy a couple of nice and comfortable suits to
  wear for 3 4 days. Also need a good pair of
  shoes. Dress professionally!
• Prepare a bottle of water and some snacks in your
  bag.
• Bring your business cards and make connections!

12
Interviews

• Be present at the earliest time of the Employment
  Center schedule to check your message folder.
• Should reserve at least 30 minutes before each
  interview (while resting, check your prepared
  folder for the school and practice the answers
  for common interview questions). Use the computer
  facilities at the meeting or laptop to search the
  school information.
• Do not over-book yourself! Select the schools and
  perform your best on the interviews with those.
  Show your enthusiasm no matter how tired you are.
• Write down the names of the interviewers or ask
  for their cards. You need their contact
  information to send thank-you notes later.
• Ask when you can expect to hear back from the
  schools. Take notes!

13
Common Interview Questions

• Tell us about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this position?
• Tell us about your teaching experience.
• Describe your research.
• If you get this position, how will you divide
  your time on teaching, research and other
  departmental services?
• Will you give a talk at this meeting?
• In any situation, put your efforts towards
  making the interview interactive, fun and
  professional.

14
Important Notes

• Have your CV revised by using the service at the
  Joint Meeting. Take notes!
• Book the hotel room close to the conference
  location (within a short walking distance).
• Reply to every message received in your folder,
  either to reject or accept an interview
  invitation.

15
Post-Interview

• Email thank-you notes.
• Update the interviewers if you get any new awards
  or achievements during the waiting time.
• After the expected dates for response, email or
  call the interviewers if you have not heard
  anything.
• Continue applying for jobs.

16
Campus Interviews

• By the end of January, the schools which are
  interested in your applications should contact
  you to schedule the on-campus interviews.
• Ask for every detail about what to expect at this
  interview (reference http//www.ams.org/notices/2
  00609/fea-lewis.pdf).
• Do some search about the salary for the position
  type.
• If you have not heard anything by now, spend some
  time refining your job applications and continue
  applying for jobs.
• Make connections! Your applications will be more
  likely considered if you know somebody at these
  schools. Mention them in the cover letters.

17
Job Offers

• For postdoctoral positions, you might get an
  offer without visiting the campus. However, you
  can request a visit if necessary.
• Depending on the offer, you may delay your final
  decision as long as the school allows. Consult
  with advisor and other people who know the
  school.
• Negotiate for things that are important to you
  (salary, moving expense, computer, software,
  travel grants, etc).

18
Reflections on Teaching

• Try to inquire about solo TA positions for
  classes beyond Pre-calculus. Do not wait until
  the last year!
• Get good evaluations from students and faculty.
  Have advisor and course coordinators observe your
  teaching at least once.
• Make your teaching materials organized and
  available on your website. Be creative in using
  technology for teaching!
• Learn ideas about effective teaching methods from
  attending the workshops of the Center for
  Teaching and Learning.
• Get the PIE (Program for Instructional
  Excellence) certificate.
• Become a Certified Online Mentor of FSU.

19
Reflections on Research

• Number of Publications count a lot in job
  applications.
• Number of contributed talks is also important.
  Give a talk at the Graduate-Student Seminar!
• Apply for summer research programs at different
  places.
• Make connections when going to conferences.
• Look for Travel Grants.
• Apply for Dissertation Research Grant.
• Work on research with undergraduate students if
  there is an opportunity.

20
Reflections on Professional Activities

• Attend different kinds of professional workshops
  and seminars to show your interests in many
  areas.
• Be a leader! For example, co-organize the
  graduate-student seminar for a semester.
• Reach out to public schools.
• Be active in searching and applying for funding,
  grants, fellowships and awards. Check the Office
  of Graduate Studies.
• Join the Fellows Mentoring Program of FSU.
• Be a part of the Preparing Future Faculty program
  and earn a Completion Certificate.

21
Conclusion

• It takes time to strengthen your portfolio set
  goals to achieve from the beginning of your
  graduate study.
• Make connections whenever you have a chance.
• Check other sources for job-search advice and
  related issues such as
• http//www.ams.org/employment
• http//chronicle.com/jobs/
• http//www.math.usma.edu/womenworkshop/