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Career Advancement
Academic Job Market
Cover Letters & CVs
Briana Konnick, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Graduate Career Development
September 6th, 2017
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Career Advancement
UChicagoGRAD Resources
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UCHICAGOGRAD CAREER RESOURCES
Academic job search advising
Career planning and exploration
CV, resume, and cover letter review
Interview and public speaking prep
Networking and connections with alumni
ADDITIONAL UCHICAGOGRAD SERVICES
Fellowship advising
Funding application editing
Career guides by industry
Discounted business cards
And more…
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Career Advancement
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Career Advancement
Goals
1. Get a starting point for working on your
application materials
2. Bring first draft of written materials to your
department for refinement
3. Leave with confidence that this process is
not mysterious and that you are part of a
community working on the same thing
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Career Advancement
What is an academic job?
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Tenure Track Jobs (Assistant Professor)
• Research Intensive Universities (R1/R2)
• SLACs, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI)
• Community Colleges
• International Universities
Other Academic Job Types
• Postdoctoral Fellow/Scholar
• Visiting Assistant Professor
• Lecturer/Visiting Lecturer
• Adjunct Professor
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Career Advancement
Additional Resources
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• Work with each other – don’t go it alone!
• Faculty in your department – not just your advisor
• Societies/associations can be helpful
• Ours and other universities’ career pages
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Career Advancement
The Job Hunt and
CV Tips For PhDs
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Agenda Academic Hiring Timeline
Where to Look
What Your CV Does
Do’s and Don’ts
Formatting and Sections
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Career Advancement
Timeline for the hiring process:
• Fall 2016 – authorization to hire
• Spring 2017 – approval and job description drafted
• Early Fall 2017 – job postings begin to appear
• Fall/Winter 2017/18 – phone/skype/conference
interviews
• Winter 2018 – on-campus interviews and job talks
• Spring 2018 – job offer, acceptance, negotiation
• August 2018 – the tenure track begins!
The Hunt
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Career Advancement
Where are the jobs?
• Your discipline’s scholarly association
The Hunt
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Career Advancement
Where are the jobs?
• Academic360.com
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• Inside Higher Ed jobs
• HigherEdJobs.com
• AcademicKeys.com
• HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium)
• AcademicCareers.com
• H-Net.org
• NatureJobs.com
• ScienceCareers.org
The Hunt
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Career Advancement
“When you send in your job-application
materials, you're not just assembling
separate documents to fulfill the
requirements of an ad. Those documents
are part of a larger rhetorical whole, and
together they form an argument for the
viability of your candidacy for a particular
job.”
--Joshua Eyeler, The Rhetoric of the CV
The Power of a CV
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Career Advancement
A GOOD CV CAN...
Communicate the
impact of your
research
Convince the search
committee to read
your other application
materials carefully
Put you on the
interview shortlist
Speak for you
throughout the process
The Power of a CVA GOOD CV CANNOT...
Diverge far from the
standard conventions
of the genre
Distort or inflate your
accomplishments
Compel everyone to
read the whole thing
Compensate for your
other weak
application materials
Land you a job
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Career Advancement
YOUR ADVISOR…
…is probably not
looking for a job
…may have been off
the job market for a
long time
…has established
credibility in field over
longer period of time
…can rely on list of
accomplishments to
speak for itself
Not Your Advisor’s CVYOU…
…are looking for a job
…in today’s academic
job market
…are still developing
yourself as a respected
name in your field
…should elaborate* on
specifics of research and
teaching experience and
…contextualize the
unique value you have to
offer
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Do’s & Don’ts
for your CV
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Career Advancement
1. Read other CVs and
follow standard
conventions for format
in your discipline
2. Tailor to institutions
3. Make PAGE ONE
compelling enough for
reader to continue
4. Explain the significance
of your work
5. Maintain consistency
across sections
Top 10 CV Do’s6. Focus on your unique
contribution to the
field
7. Be specific regarding
methods/techiques
employed
8. Quantify wherever
possible
9. Think a bit more
about font and layout
10. Proofread (and invite
others to proofread)
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Career Advancement
1. Expect everyone to
read the whole thing
carefully
2. Assume a publication
list replaces the need to
include other info about
your research
3. Include a half-page
summary of your
dissertation/research
4. Write “Curriculum
Vitae”
5. List course numbers
6. Tack on employment
Top 10 CV Don’ts7. Use subjective claims or
adjectives: “exceptional,”
“ground-breaking,” etc.
8. Include photos, birthdate
or any other personal
biographical info
9. Make it longer than your
advisor’s CV
10. Under-sell yourself!
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Career Advancement
Heading (“Curriculum Vitae” not required)
Categories (Education, Research, Teaching,
Publications, Awards and Honors, Service, etc.)
Reverse chronological order within sections
Be consistent (dates, bold/italicized, locations,
punctuation)
Include brief descriptions of each experience
• Bullets or comma separated phrases
• Paragraph/abstract form
Sensible, even-on-all-sides margins (0.7”-1.0”)
11-12pt type preferred in a standard font
Save and submit as a PDF
CV Formatting
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Name/Contact Information
Phone, email, mailing address, website
Education
Graduate degree(s): university, degree, field, date of
completion, concentrations, dissertation title, name of
advisor
Undergrad degree(s): university, degree, major, date of
completion, honors
Research Experience
University, location, department, date, title, laboratory
Brief research project statement(s) starting with action
verb. Patents may be sub-category or go under
publications.
Sample Sections
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Teaching Experience
University, location, department, date, title, course titles
(NOT #s)
Brief description of course accomplishments, size. May
include
scope of responsibilities (held office hours, developed
exams)
Grants and Fellowships
Funding institute/agency, name of fellowship, date
Honors and Awards
Briefly explain context for obscure scholarships and awards
Scholarly and Professional Affiliations
Highlight leadership positions held
Professional Activities/Service
Manuscript reviewing, academic service, committee work
Sample Sections
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Training, Mentoring, and Advising Experience
Arrange similar to Teaching Experience section
Presentations
Can delineate between poster and oral (invited*)
Publications
Follow format used in your field. Emphasize your name in
author list by bolding. List in order of newest first. Okay
to
use subheadings (clearly note works in-progress)
[Other Sections]
Languages, areas of expertise (skills), licensure or
certifications,
university service, community activities, additional
training
References
Full mailing address, email address, and phone number
Sample Sections
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Career Advancement
CV Formatting: Detail
What comes next
depends on the
type of institution
and position:
Research,
Conferences,
Publications,
Teaching*, etc.
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Career Advancement
C.V. Formatting: Page 1
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Name/contact info
Education Basics
may include
dissertation title,
committee, and
some awards
Research
Experience,
can include
undergrad
experience,
internships
Right align dates
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University of Chicago, Department of Chemistry, Graduate
Researcher 2005-2011Advisor: Professor D, Doctoral thesis: Spatial
control of kinetics and droplet dynamics via microfluidics and
modeling
• Developed droplet-based microfluidic systems and kinetic
simulations to study and control the response of nonlinear
biological systems in response to spatial perturbations, especially
the clotting of human blood. Designed and fabricated microfluidic
devices using soft lithography, glass etching, or stamping, to
control the spatial distribution and mass transport of enzymatic
activators. In conjunction with spatially resolved simulations,
this work explained the common clinical observation that reduced
blood flow, such as during long flights, can lead to
thrombosis.
• Used liquid-liquid surface tension to drive spontaneous flow
of droplets in hand-powered diagnostic devices such as those now in
development by SlipChip LLC. Collaborated with researchers at
Argonne National Lab to develop surface tension-based microdrvices
for liquid-liquid extraction of heavy metals. This technology is
now under further development for applications in nuclear waste
reclamation.
• Initiated a collaboration with immunologist Profess F (U
Chicago) to develop culture methods for primary lymph node cells
with limited iffusion and defined cell-cell contacts.
• Mentored two undergraduate researchers. Contributed to grant
writing and reporting.
Research Experience
Focus on innovation
Explanation of impact
Specific methodologies
Collaboration
Mentoring
Grant writing
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Mentoring and tutoring count!
Be specific and quantify where possible
Specify if you were involved in course development
Don’t underestimate importance of teaching for “research”
job
Teaching Experience I
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Teaching Experience II
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UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Chicago
Lecturer, Humanities Division Navigating in Space (Spring
2015)
§ Designed and proposed undergraduate-level seminar for 15
students
§ Graded all assignments; held regular one-on-one office
hours
§ Advised 2 undergraduates on thesis projects
Lecturer, Humanities Division
Pluto in Myth and Imagination (Winter 2014, Winter 2013) §
Co-taught undergraduate-level seminar for 8 students per term on
history of science
§ Integrated guest talks and visits to planetarium and
organizations in Chicago
§ Planned all assignments and in-class exercises § Held regular
office hours; designed and graded all assignments including Twitter
use/blogs
Writing Intern, Collegiate Division Media Aesthetics (Spring
2012, Winter 2012, Fall 2011, Spring 2011, Winter 2011, Fall
2010)
§ Led discussion sections of 4-7 first-year undergraduate
students in required humanities courses
§ Taught writing, with focus on argument, evidence, clarity of
structure § Collaborated with diverse faculty members to design
assignments integrated with syllabus
§ Graded papers and provided extensive comments and feedback
§ Held regular office hours to provide answers to student
questions and provide support
§ Advised students on issues related to acclimation to college,
academic work, course selection § Guest lectured and responded to
faculty feedback on teaching effectiveness
Pedagogy Training
Little Red Schoolhouse, University of Chicago Pedagogies of
Writing (Summer 2010)
§ Completed intensive graduate-level pedagogy training
course
§ Designed sample syllabi and assignments
§ Developed classroom strategies for addressing diverse learning
needs and goals
Bullets, still has
quantification
What makes
this teaching
applicable?
Pedagogy training
shows you care
about teaching
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Committee work
Representative to scientific organizations, including
student/postdoc groups
Include specific accomplishments
Quantify and contextualize when possible
Conference organizing, Council on Advanced Studies Coordination,
editing work, mentoring, and any other general institutional good
citizenship (beyond things you’re required to do)
Career Advancement
Service
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Choose the citation convention of a well-respected
journal in your field and use this throughout
Include manuscripts at various stages of the publication
process, consider using sub-sections:
• Peer-Reviewed/In Press: treat as normal published work
• In Submission/Review: usually doesn’t include journal name
• In Progress/Preparation: to support overall publication
record
Not to be included in this section:
• Non-academic publications
• Presentations
• Abstracts/posters
Reverse chronological order
Bold your name in the author list
Career Advancement
Publications
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Should include:• Formal name of referee (with degrees)• Title
(Assistant Professor, Dean, etc.) • Full mailing address • Email
address• Phone number
Include at the very end of document Include between 3-6
• Must include those who will be providing letters
• Chance to expand on the list of contacts
These can be changed for each application as appropriate
Career Advancement
References
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Education
Research
Publications
Teaching
Service
Honors and Awards
Invited Presentations
On-campus presentations
International/national conferences
Other professional publications
Professional Associations
Professional Activities
Languages/skills
Areas of Expertise
Career Advancement
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General CV Categories
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Cover Letters
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What can a strong cover
letter ACTUALLY DO?
• Give narrative
shape to your C.V.
• Demonstrate your
FIT to an
institution
• Show you’ve done
your homework
• Get an interview
• Present you as a
future colleague
• Project confidence
Career Advancement
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The Genre of Cover Letters
What CAN’T a cover letter
do? (No matter what)
• Get you a job
• Stand in for genuine
interest in a position
• Obscure a lack of
attention to detail
• Tell the entire story
of your project’s
evolution from the
shadow of an idea to
the core focus of
your academic life
• Go onto a third page
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Format: Fonts of Un-wisdom
Arial
Times New Roman
CalibriCambria
Comic Sans
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Use a Better Font
Sans
Serif:
Serifs: Garamond
GeorgiaPalatino Linotype
Gotham Light/Bold
Helvetica Neue Light
Century GothicTrebuchet MS
Size: 11 – 12
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BRIEF
INTRO
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Other Not-So-Easy Stuff
LETTERHEAD
FULL SNAIL MAIL
ADDRESS &
FORMAL SALUTATION
1”
MARGINS
A SHORT, CONFIDENT (AND SIGNED)
CONCLUSION THAT GESTURES TO
FUTURE CONVERSATIONS.
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Give Narrative
Shape to Your
C.V.
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Flexibility in Structure
Like your CV, your cover letter will work in sections:
- Introduction
- Research overview – doctoral and postdoc
- Future research projects
- Other relevant research or fieldwork
- Teaching
- Service to the department
- Well-researched comments about institution
- Formal sign-off
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1. Although I am not [x] / do not have [y]
2. Here, now, I present you with 5 paragraphs about
my path-breaking project, which treats the fourth
century chemist Dr. B in conversation with the
fourth century philosopher Dr. C in ZZzzZZZ
3. I hope to finish my dissertation in the next decade
4. I would be a great fit at your university
5. It would be an honor to work with Dr. X
6. I hope to hear from you soon
7. I am passionate about teaching
8. List publications and achievements in prose
9. I will next revise chapter 5 of my dissertation
10. My paper on Comic Sans rocked the fonts world
Career Advancement
Top 10 Cover Letter Don’ts
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1. Expect everyone to
read the whole thing
2. Provide examples of
how your work
contributes to the
field
3. Anticipate readers
outside your subfield
4. Talk about why you
want to be there
Career Advancement
Top 10 Cover Letter Do’s
5. Suggest collaborations*
6. Pitch them on why
you’re going to be a
good teacher of the
required courses
7. Chart reasonable next
steps for your work
8. Confer with advisors
about appropriate
length
9. Think of yourself as their
colleague
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Discuss your doctoral and postdoc work as efficiently as
possible
- A paragraph (or two) per experience in general
- Think about the question, techniques, and ways it was
answered, and result and significance (impact!)
In terms understandable to someone outside your
subfield*
With confidence, as a colleague and not a graduate
student/postdoc
Link your work if at all possible – even if it wasn’t on
purpose, usually people stick to an arc of research
interests and/or specific techniques (ex: infectious
diseases, total synthesis, data science as it applies to
several questions, deep sequencing, etc.)
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Talking About Your Research
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Show, Don’t Tell (lesson one for good writers)
Telling (weak):
“Teaching is something I value and I have taught
couzzzZZzzzZ”
Showing (better):
“In Introduction to Standards, I made it a goal to demonstrate
the ordinary life
implications of font kerning by integrating materials from our
library’s Special
Collections Department, assigning essays that asked students to
engage with primary
sources.”
Consider the institutional demands
- Courses required; courses you can teach
- Research-related teaching and/or
- Teaching-related research
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Teaching (Show Don’t Tell)
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Communicating
Fit
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Communicating Fit
Mention previous collaborations or conversations with
faculty from the department (if you have them)
Express real familiarity with the work of one or more
faculty (do not simply name drop)
Name required classes that you will have to teach &
how you might teach them
Suggest future collaborations with faculty members
based on shared interests***
Speak to geographic or institutional affiliations
Order the letter based on the institution’s mission
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Write a cover letter in sections
- Don’t worry about length at first
- But be prepared to cut
Share your letter with someone outside your field and
at UChicagoGRAD to see how it communicates
Compose a few paragraphs (for yourself) about the
process of getting your dissertation done
Read job descriptions with a highlighter, identifying
key words that you should mention in a letter
Research institutions in an organized way – keeping
spreadsheets about opportunities
Throughout, be honest about your priorities as an
applicant, a researcher, and a person
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Next Steps
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Questions?
Briana Konnick, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Appointments:
www.gradgargoyle.uchicago.edu
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mailto:[email protected]://www.gradgargoyle.uchicago.edu/
