Anthropology News February 2004 C A R E E R D E V E L O P M E N T

R E E R D E V E L O P M E N T

Strategies for Finding a Job in Academia Deconstructing the Sometimes Mysterious Process

CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE THE CUNY

As we all know, graduate study often involves a triage process, with the result that preparation and strategizing for employment is often put off until graduation when students are confronted by the very real and immediate possibility of un- employment looming ahead. At the AAA Meet- ing last November in Chicago the Society for the Anthropology of Work (SAW) decided to help alleviate that problem by hosting a panel where graduate students and faculty members could get together in an informal setting to exchange tips for deconstructing the sometimes mysterious process of finding an academic job.

The panel “Get a Job Strategies for Finding Academic Employment” was organized by Fran Rothstein (Towson) and included Sam Collins (Towson), Molly Doane (Marquette), Florence Babb (Iowa) and Judith-Marie Buechler (Hobart and William Smith). The panelists gave brief talks on their experiences with both finding jobs and hiring faculty, followed by more informal discus- sions amidst copious amounts of wine and Hilton cheese. Against the more selfish instincts of the students present, we decided to pass along some of the panelists’ advice to those of you who missed it.

Know the Institution The first step in getting an academic job is be- coming familiar with the institution to which you are applying. Institutions vary, from small liberal arts colleges to large research institutions, and you should tailor your application to fit an institution’s orientation. In general, the expected teaching load is a good indication of how focused an institution is on teaching, but in today’s over- supplied environment virtually all are looking for candidates that have some sort of research and publication plans. It’s a good idea to have a rough “five-year plan” worked out for your future research in order to give committees an idea of the things you are likely to be working on. Just as important, familiarize yourself with the faculty. Websites come in handy here. Find out what the research interests and geographical specialties of the various faculty members are. This will help you to tailor your statement and five-year re-

search plan as well as providing back-up for those pregnant pauses if you actually make it to the interview stage.

Jumping to the Shortlist After you have checked out the institution and decided that you could fit in, or perhaps you just reached the point of desperation when the land- lord has filed eviction proceedings, you are ready to move to the application stage. The object here is to jump to the shortlist, and there are a few tips that can help. First, of course, your statement should be tailored to the institution. Make it crisp and succinct, and try it out on a few friends and advisors. Second, organize your CV in such a way that the really impressive stuff floats to the top. Don’t bury a major grant in with a lot of minor awards and fellowships. Remember that your application will most likely be one of many and that committees will probably first skim through the pile to separate the wheat from the chaff. First impressions count a great deal here. This may also be the stage when you need to present evi- dence of good teaching skills, so organize some sample syllabi and all those student evaluation sheets from your adjunct courses.

Interviews and Campus Visits Once you make the short list you are ready to move on to the interview stage. This, of course, is the most stressful part. In an interview, the key is to be enthusiastic without seeming desperate. In a first-stage interview, like those held at AAA meetings, you will probably have a limited amount of time. Try to summarize your research in a clear and interesting way because you don’t want to take up all the time droning on about details of your work. It’s also a good idea to come prepared with a few questions of your own about the institution and the position so it is not com-

It’s a good idea to have a rough “five-year plan’’ worked out for your future research in order to give committees an idea of the things you are likely to be working on.

pletely a one-way conversation. Remember that the interviewers are looking for a colleague, and have a vested interest in finding someone they will work well with. If you get set up for a campus visit be sure to find out what kind of presentation or demonstration lesson they are scheduling. If you are doing a talk, tailor it to your audience. Don’t talk down to them, or over their heads, and remember that there will likely be students pres- ent whose opinions may very well count for something. If you are asked to teach a class, pick a topic you are comfortable with and try to en- courage student participation. In most cases they will give you wide latitude and won‘t expect you to follow the syllabus. After the interview it is also good form to send an email note thanking the interviewers with the usual niceties.

Finally, be prepared for rejection. Even if you follow all the tips, the odds are still against you. The hiring process is complex and filled, for the applicant, with unknown factors and unpre- dictable outcomes. Remember that most people go through the process many times, and rejec- tions can be the result of many factors besides your own inadequacies. Academia requires a thick skin and the ability to learn from failure. If you find yourself in the rejection pile, pick your- self up, dust yourself off, and move on to the next round. !?ii

Christopher Lawrolce is a doctoral student at The City University of New York Graduate Center and a student representative on the Executive Committee of the Society for the Anthropology of Work (SAW).

~ ~~~

Careers in Anthropology www.-torg

A focal point for the world of anthropology careem and employment opportunities.

On Ii ne Employment Databases Academic and Applied Opportunities

Fellowships and Support Information and Employment Assistance

26