Academic Job Search & Interviews:

The process and some general thoughts

Jabari

https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/careerprep/jobsearch/index.html

NAGT Workshop on Job Search:

This is an awesome compilation of a lot of information.

Don’t get overwhelmed by it!

Plan to spend a bunch of time reading and thinking about how the material applies to you.

Resources

Jabari

• AGU: https://findajob.agu.org/jobs/

​

• GSA: https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Education_Careers/Job_Board/GSA/GSAToday/Job_Board.aspx

​

• Earth & Environmental Science Job List: https://eswnonline.org/online/earth-and-environmental-science-jobs/

​

• Earth Science Women’s Network: Es_jobs_net: https://mailman.ucar.edu/mailman/listinfo/es_jobs_net

​

• Earthworks - http://www.earthworks-jobs.com/academic.htm or http://www.earthworks-jobs.com/acad.htm

​

• SACNAS - https://careercenter.sacnas.org/

​

• National Association of Black Geoscientists: http://nabgcareers.blogspot.com/

​

• NAGT Career Hub - https://nagt.org/nagt/careerhub/index.html

​

• Word of mouth
• Other list-servs
• Job postings at conferences
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• HigherEdJobs

Finding the Job Postings

Please share other ideas!

Jabari

Who they are looking for.

Who they are.

What your application must include.

Claire

Application Components

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (usually full, but check guidelines. Possibly full timeline, but not exhaustive entries in all sections)
• Research Statement
• Teaching Statement
• Diversity Statement…some institutions, particularly different with MSIs (HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges)
• Reference contact details or letters

​

Edit for each application - check what is required

Claire

Building Your Statements

​

(Teaching, Research, Diversity)

• Think about who YOU are (e.g. what type of campus member do you aim to be?)
• *and* your audience (kind of job/institution)
• Organize your ideas into a cohesive narrative for the reader
• Be sure to include relevant experience/examples and a plan/vision

Help folks visualize who you are and that you’re set up for success if hired!

​

Getting Started:

Concept mapping as an approach can help you brainstorm and organize ideas! See the connections in what you’ve done, want to do, and more!

Claire

Example & Tips/Tools

Remember NAGT Resource Page

Claire

Search Committee

• Composition of the committee depends on the institution.
• Come up with a set of criteria for evaluating applications.
• Then, determine which candidates meet the “minimum qualifications” given in the job posting.
• From here, narrow the list down to (depending on institution):
• Letters list (A long-short list of candidates whose letter writers will be contacted - maybe 10- 15 people)
• A “Zoom” or online interview short list (maybe 5-10 people)
• An on-campus interview short list (3-4 people)
• Diversity of pool usually evaluated at each step (by office not in department).
• Worth checking the boxes!

​

• The full faculty typically only start reviewing applications at one of these narrowed-down steps.

What happens on the other side of this process?

Jabari

• Do the interview in a professional location and check the background and position of the computer camera.
• Be in a space where you won’t be interrupted and where you can focus. Think about background noise, internet speed.
• Close the other programs on your computer that may distract you or interfere.
• Look at the camera during the interview.
• Be prepared to see a group of people looking back at you.
• Have questions you would like to ask as well.
• Ensure you communicate about time zone differences.

Online Interviews

Claire

• Typical Tenure Track Faculty Schedule, in-person is long! (1-2 days) and includes:
• Airport pick up
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with faculty, undergrads, grad students.
• One-on-one and group meetings with faculty, department head/chair and Dean.
• Facilities/campus tours
• Meetings with students
• Your research talk
• (maybe) a teaching demonstration

The Interview – this varies, but here are some commonalities:

Jabari

​

• You are ALWAYS being interviewed, unless you are alone. (it’s exhausting)

​

• Be yourself. Don’t be shy about being excited about the opportunity.

​

• Dress comfortably, be aware you may be walking between buildings for interviews. Ask for breaks as needed. Carry water.

​

• Do your research about the department/school and come with questions. This is a way to show that you are truly interested in the job and helps you figure out if it’s the right place for you. It is a two-way interview.
• It’s ok to have notes with you as you go around the interview!

The Interview – this varies, but here are some commonalities:

Jabari

General discussion about application & interview experiences and how you have prepared.

�Return with a question or takeaway to ask / share with the whole group.

​

Finish at 35 min after the hour for a break.

Break-out Sessions

EWSC 101

2YC - Big & Unionized

Coker 102

R2

EWSC 104

2YC

EWSC 105

SLAC

EWSC 106

Teaching track / R1

Coker 102

Teaching track

Claire