During the AAAS talk last week on the academic job market, I was encouraged by the opinions shared by current faculty. I imagined that the academic job market was as bleak--if not more so--than the non-academic market. On the contrary...to paraphrase the speakers, "the best people are still finding jobs." Still, you must put your best foot forward to be a standout candidate on the academic market. If you find the entire process of applying for academic jobs overwhelming, or are not sure where to start, check out the OITE workshop held last month for an overview of the academic job market and tips on preparing your application package. You might also want to view the OITE videocast on this same topic from the fall of 2009. Additionally, appointments with OITE's trained career counselors are available to plan your next steps. Think about the documents you need to submit. Are you satisfied with them? How many people have you shared them with? Consider having your PI review your CV, letter, or entire packet, and remember that staff within OITE can review them as well.
For tips on writing/editing your CV and letter, check out these OITE resources:
Also, check out this blog post for the review of a real CV from a trainee interested in teaching-intensive faculty positions. If you would like to see more CV and letter samples and read more about the academic job market, take a look at the 4th edition of the Academic Job Search Handbook 
, the standard bearer on this topic. This book is also available via OITE's circulating library. Visit the 2nd floor of Building 2 to check it out.
When should you be lining up letters of recommendation? When are positions typically posted? When should you put together and practice your job talk? For a comprehensive timeline of the academic job search, check out this OITE resource. To prepare for a potential interview, don't miss OITE's upcoming workshop, Academic Job Interviews, taking place on December 6, 2010, from 3-5pm in the Natcher Conference Center, E1/E2. This workshop is the second in the CAT tracks series on academic jobs.
The third session in the series, Academic Job Seach: Recent Success Stories, is a panel discussion featuring former NIH fellows who will share their experiences with the academic job search and answer questions on applications, interviews, negotiating, and getting started with the teaching, research, and/or patient care responsibilities. This program will take place on February 1, 2011.
If you would like to learn more about interviews before the December workshop, check out last year's OITE presentation and accompanying videocast on the same topic, or read through the OITE handout on academic interviewing.
Once you reach the negotiating stage, you will need to be prepared with all the information necessary to secure a fair package. For more guidance in this preparation, attend the 4th OITE workshop in the CAT tracks series, Evaluating Positions and Negotiating Offers, taking place on March 2, 2011. Last year's slides and videocast are available through OITE for viewing, as is a sample offer letter, which may prove very helpful if you are unsure of what to look for.
Once you have accepted a position, you might consider the following to assist you with the transition to full-time faculty work:
- Transitioning Successfully from Postdoc to Faculty, OITE workshop (3-16-2010)
- Tomorrow’s Professor: Preparing for Academic Careers in Science and Engineering, Rick Reis. Available via OITE's circulating library.
- Tomorrow's Professor listserv (helpful resource for all faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and administrators)
- At the Helm: A Laboratory Navigator, Kathy Barker. Available via OITE's circulating library.
Best of luck exploring and preparing to enter this challenging and rewarding career!
