The Academic Job Search

Negotiation Notes

• Take advantage of the opportunity - you may not get everything you ask for, but you can ask
• Ask the chair about dept limitations
• Have a list ready
• Make sure you identify your actual 'needs' as opposed to what you can cut
• Examples: equipment, space that's ready or commitment to be ready, summer salary, support for grad students, time out from teaching prior to tenure, moving expenses, etc. (See the Cutting Edge website - there's a link to related links on the Program page.
• Might be able to negotiate your bracket or experience points at a 2YC (not necessarily directly for salary)
• Again - depends on the place.

Teaching Demo Notes

• Looking for personality and the way you convey info to the audience
• Ask the chair what's expected
• May be asked to lecture to a class ahead of time (e.g. guest lecturer) - be prepared to do a demo outside your area of expertise
• Remember - there's a range/variety among institutions - even of the same type!
• If you need equipment, make sure you ask for it and make sure it works ahead of time

Job Talk Notes

• If you're doing it on your laptop, make sure to clean it up first (close IM, general clean up)
• PRACTICE beforehand with peers in your department and perhaps folks from different institutions
• can give practice audience a paper copy to take notes
• Do your homework - what is your fit/contribution to the dept
• Bring your laser pointer with you - don't depend on your dept to have the equipment for you
• How will you clearly, but succinctly explain your research and methods - don't try to cover everything - focus on the best and convey it in a compelling way
• How can you make your talk convey how you'll include undergrads
• Have your personality come through - the job talk and interview includes more than your research
• If you have a busy figure, take time to orient your audience so they're not lost or distracted
• Keep it simple - it might help you build your grad students
• Have peers critique the first 5 slides of your talk - is it compelling and engaging?
• Consider the audience
• make it broadly applicable and provide context
• know your audience, watch for jargon
• Make it a story
• Introduction to engage audience and provide context and significance
• Heart of the talk - showcase your research and include clear statement of research questions
• Strong end – conclusions and future plans
• Engaging visuals
• Watch the timing - Make sure you end on time (and ask before, if you don't know how long it will be; save time for questions)
• Might be able to ask for 30 minute break before your talk to prepare or reflect - don't necessarily count on having it though
• Consider bringing water and/or snacks with you

Interview Notes

• Write a list of questions you have for the institution
• Take a breath before you start answering a question
• Ask a question to clarify a question to buy time
• "Um" and "like" aren't so great
• Be enthusiastic
• Know where you're applying and customize your responses as such (do prep work)
• "How do you see us collaborate?" is another potential question
• Practice your answers to the questions with peers
• Give specific examples from your own experiences or what you could do
• "Why do you want to come here?" is a potential question you'll want to think about
• "Why do you want to stay" might be a good question for the interview committee.