Cambridge Journals Online

On the Market: Strategies for the Successful Job Candidate ¹

Abstract

After debating whether to go on the job market, I finally decided to make that move. After only four years of graduate school, I knew that I was hitting the market early. Still, members of my committee were confident that I would obtain my doctorate in time to assume an academic position the following year. After all, I had taken my preliminary exams, written and defended my prospectus, as well as completed the last of my coursework in one single semester. Did I really need the time off? My committee had faith in me. Why shouldn't I? Hence, I began by gathering my teaching evaluations, drafting my job letter, updating my curriculum vita, and searching for job announcements in hopes of securing an academic position before the end of my fifth year. In this article I describe that process. I offer practical and sound advice about developing a dossier that will get job candidates noticed, including suggestions for both the telephone and campus interviews.

Footnotes

¹ I would like to thank Rosalee A. Clawson and Manjusha Gupte for encouraging me to write this article. I would also like to thank Rosalee A. Clawson, James A. McCann, and William R. Shaffer for their “on the market” advice.