Hum SS - Creating Effective Application Materials for Jobs ... · University of Pennsylvania Career Services What we’re going to cover • Introduction to written materials for

University of Pennsylvania Career Services

CREATING EFFECTIVE APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR JOBS AT DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCESDr. Helen PhoAssociate DirectorCareer [email protected]

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What we’re going to cover• Introduction to written materials for the job search• Identifying positions• Reading job announcements effectively• Understanding different institutions• C.V. development• Cover letter• Additional application materials • Resources• Questions

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PDF of PPT will be available after the workshop


Written materials for the job search• C.V.

Lists academic achievements, prioritizes research or teaching based on job description/career goals

• Research statementProvides a narrative of what big questions you have

asked, how you have gained answers, why this is important to your field, and most importantly, where you will go next

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Written materials for the job search• Statement of teaching philosophy

Narrative of your teaching goals with examples that demonstrate

• “Evidence of excellence in teaching”You can decide what to provide

• ReferencesSpecific evidence of your academic abilities that should

echo your statements and examples• Cover letter

Highlighting the key points of all your other materials (not just repeating the information), prioritizing the examples given based on who will be reading the letter. Can take the place of both research statement and teaching philosophy if these are not asked for

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OTHER ITEMS that might be included or requested:• Writing sample• Transcripts• Teaching portfolio

SyllabiSummary of course evaluationsDescription of teaching awards

• Website• Diversity Statement• Statement of Faith

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Identifying job opportunities6

• Your scholarly association Job listing bulletin or website; job events at conferences/conventions

• National publications and websitesThe Chronicle of Higher Education www.chronicle.comAcademic360.com or Higheredjobs.com Inside Higher EdHigher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)

www.hercjobs.org

• Institutional & departmental websites

• Your network


Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Korean Studies, Emory University

• The Department of Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures (REALC) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Korean Studies with a background in the humanities including, but not limited to, the fields of literature, gender, media and cultural studies, philosophy, religion, and history. The candidate is expected to teach a survey course with a focus on modern Korea. The Department is particularly interested in candidates whose scholarship is inter-disciplinary and inter-regional (within East Asia and beyond). Successful candidates must have a PhD in hand by the time of appointment, and demonstrate an active research agenda and a commitment to teaching at the undergraduate level and to development of graduate programming. Candidates will also adhere to best practices and demonstrate an ability to advance Emory College’s goals of diversity and inclusion. Near native proficiency in both English and Korean is required.

• Please submit your cover letter, C.V., research statement, short writing sample or published paper, teaching statement, statement of teaching and mentoring students of diverse backgrounds, and three letters of recommendation through Interfolio. Please send your application to http://apply.interfolio.com/43528.

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Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Economics, University of California, Santa Cruz

• The Economics Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for an Assistant Professor tenure-track position in macroeconomics.

• The successful candidate will be expected to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate level (including classroom); advise and mentor graduate students; contribute to graduate education, the research environment of the department, and to university and professional service. The successful candidate must be able to work with students, faculty and staff from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds. UC Santa Cruz is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a high proportion of first-in-family undergraduate students.

• BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. or equivalent foreign degree in Economics.• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated expertise in macroeconomics

with emphasis in applied macroeconomics. • TO APPLY: Applications are accepted via the UCSC Academic Recruit online

system, and must include a letter of application, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement and/or evaluations, 1-2 papers/publications and 3-4 confidential reference letters. Applicants are invited to submit a statement addressing their contributions to diversity through research, teaching and/or service.

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Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Early American History, The College of Wooster

• The Department of History at The College of Wooster invites applicants for a tenure-track position in Early American History. The successful candidate will teach the U.S. History survey and courses in their areas of specialization. They will also supervise undergraduate research in the College's required Independent Study Program and participate in the College’s First-Year Seminar. Ph.D. expected by August 2018. The College’s student population is 20% domestic students of color and 11% international students. All applicants must demonstrate a promise of excellence in working with students from diverse backgrounds.

• A complete application will include: a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, copies of unofficial graduate transcripts, a diversity statement, a research statement, a teaching statement, and three confidential letters of recommendation. The diversity statement should detail how the applicant has engaged or expects to engage with issues of diversity in the classroom and the curriculum, as well as on campus, and in the broader community. The teaching statement must explicitly address: the professor’s role in a liberal arts institution; fostering and supporting diversity in the classroom; and mentoring undergraduate research. Candidates may also describe their plans for introductory and upper level courses that complement or expand our existing course offerings.

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Understanding different institutions• Read the job announcement closely• Learn about the institution; find relevant key wordsUniversity/college website

• Understand how they brand and market themselves• “Emory maintains an uncommon balance for an institution of its standing: our

scholars and experts generate more than $574 million in research funding annually while also maintaining a traditional emphasis on teaching.”

• “UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the intimacy of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.”

• “The College of Wooster is America’s premier college for mentored undergraduate research.”

• Understand the student population• Understand the curriculum

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Understanding different institutionsDepartment/school webpage

• Faculty research interests• Classes offered• Curriculum• Unique programs and collaborations

Office of the provost/dean webpage• Tenure and promotion• Faculty resources

• Funding opportunities• Collaborative opportunities

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Tailoring your materialsShowing your knowledge of the department and institution:

• What research are they doing?• What courses do they have?• What courses might they need?• Who are their students?• What resources could you use?

By:• Having right sections in CV• Prioritizing sections• Using the right language for the

school/department• Emphasizing the relevant aspects

of your experience• Making use of cover letters,

research and teaching statements to demonstrate or provide examples

One size?


C.V. (Curriculum vitae)• Purpose of a CV is get you an interview

• Complete listing of your academic credentials and accomplishmentsAcademic jobs, postdocsFunding (grants or fellowships)

• CV’s will vary from discipline to disciplineMake use of younger faculty in your department to see if

you can look at versions of their CV they used for applications

• CV organization may vary depending on where/what it is being used for It is possible to tailor the CV for each application

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www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/writtenmaterials


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CV CategoriesStandard• Name and contact

information • Education • Honors and Fellowships• Teaching/Research

Experience• Publications • Presentations• Professional Memberships• References

Possible additional categories• Grants• Languages• Technical Skills • University/Professional Service• Research/Teaching Interests• Professional Experience• Patents• Certifications/Professional

Licensure

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Prioritizing your CV sections• The order of sections can vary depending on what you

want to prioritizeThere is no required orderCheck to see if there are field or discipline specific

templates you should be followingResearch experience vs teaching experience are the two

main sections that can be switched depending on the job

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Some formatting suggestions• Keep format simple and be consistent in the way you use

formattingBalance print and white space

• Your name should be on each page of your C.V. • Don’t list dates on the left side – they are often the least

important piece of information• Use formatting techniques such as indenting, uppercase,

bold and italics, consistentlyBolding highlights key information (degree, institution,

subject, name) Italics often makes text harder to read

• Avoid font sizes under 11 point• Reverse chronological order throughout

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Name and contact informationDon’t make “Curriculum Vitae” the most prominent part

of your first page. You can list either your department address or your

personal address (or both)Give one email address to avoid confusionGive the phone number which you would like the

institution to contact you – and will expect to be contactedList a professional website if appropriateDon’t include personal information (unlike int’l CVs)

Jane Doe3718 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104

215-898-7530; [email protected]

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Education• Most Ph.D. candidates will have this as their first category

Make it clear when your degree is expected

• Some postdocs might want to have “Current Position” as a first category, then list the education section

• Give some detail such as field of concentration, title of dissertation, name of advisorYou can include a very succinct summary of your research

that focuses on questions asked, methods used, findings, and relevance

Everyone will read your CV…

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Sample education listingEDUCATIONUniversity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA• Ph.D. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy. Degree expected May, 2016• Dissertation Title: “Exploring Critical Literacy Through Ethnodrama in

a High School Classroom.”• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Susan Lytle Dissertation Committee: Dr.

Kathy Schultz, Dr. Betsy Rymes

Middlebury College, Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury, VT• Master’s degree in English, 2009

Dartmouth College, Hanover NH• Bachelor’s degree in English (major) and French (minor), 2003• Massachusetts and New Hampshire Teaching Certification in English

grades 7-12, 2000

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Honors and Awards• You can make this a separate category, or include these

under the relevant degree

• Put recognizable, significant awardsYou might use the heading “Selected Honors & Awards” if

you have quite a few

• If you are a international student, you may need to explain some of the honorsWere they given for academic excellence?Were they based on something you applied for?Were they competitive?Can you find a way to describe the award that will help it to

make sense to anyone who reads this section?

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Sample honors and awards listing

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS• National Security Education Program David L. Boren Graduate

Fellowship for dissertation research in Gansu, China, 2012• Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship for the study of

Mandarin Chinese, 2010-2012• University of Pennsylvania Nominee for AIEA's 2011 Harold

Josephson Award for Professional Promise in International Education

• National Science Foundation award to attend Graduate Webshop for the scientific study of the impact of social media on societies, Sociology Department, University of Maryland, College Park, June 1-June 15, 2010

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Research interests• A brief answer to the questions, “what have you been

doing” and “what’s next?”Must be credible; you should be able to elaborate

• Use keywords associated with your specific research interests and expertise Job description may provide clues on relevant terms Search committees are looking for an indication of an

independent, strong research programSample Research InterestsRESEARCH INTERESTSHealth communications campaigns, health disparities, mass communication, media effects, HIV risk reduction

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Teaching Interests• A chance to briefly describe courses you are qualified to

teach even if you have not had the chance to teach those courses

• You can list topic areas or proposed course titles• Tailor this section to each school/job description • You can list:

Courses you have taughtCourses you know that they want you to teachCourses you want to teach (that they might be interested in)

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Experience (research and teaching)• Depending on the type of job, and the degree of

experience you have, you should consider whether to split this into two sections:

• Research experience [more usual in social sciences]: Projects you have worked onCollaborations with which you have been involvedFindings associated with your workHow you do you research, not just what you do

• Teaching experience [common in SS and Hum]:Classes you have taught (might include number and type

of students, and how you taught/interacted with them)Mentoring and other formal/informal teaching experiences

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Sample experience listingsResearch Experience: (for PhD in Communication)• Dissertation field work in the U.S. and England 2007 - 2009 • Graduate Research Assistant to Barbie Zelizer, Joe Turow, Klaus Krippendorff

2005 – 2007• Research Assistant: Annenberg Public Policy Center, with Dan Romer

Summer 2006

***** **** *** ** *Teaching Assistant, University of Pennsylvania, 2014-2015 (for PhD in

Political Science)- Taught Introduction to American Politics, with a special focus on topics X, Y,

and Z- Delivered lecture on election analysis, using case study drawn from current

research as discussion topic- Evaluated student work through one-on-one discussions, and provided clear

feedback on potential to improve- Drafted syllabus and prepared teaching materials for 14-class course- Created online teaching component on Blackboard (and later transferred

content to Canvas) to allow online discussions of lecture content after the class

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Professional Experience• You might have this section if you have relevant professional

experience outside academia, including: Industry or non-profit experienceUniversity work in administrative role (e.g. student advising)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCESummer Intern, World Bank, Development Research Group • Estimate impacts on nutritional status of children <3 years of

large-scaled nutrition program in Madagascar using data from administrative sources, poverty maps and community census

• Consultant for RAND Corp., Population and Labor Program. Performed statistical and econometric analyses

• Constructed price indexes using price (BPS) and consumption data (SUSENAS)

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Publications/Presentations• If you have a long list, divide and then subdivide by topics

(peer reviewed papers, reviews, posters, invited talks, abstracts, etc.) If you have short list, it won’t make sense to sub-divide

into different categories as much

• You can list a few articles that are in preparation and will (realistically) be publishedThis helps to show that your work in on-going, and that

you will have research that you can build on in your new role

Clearly mark “in preparation” or “submitted” manuscriptsManuscripts “in press/print” can be listed with other

published papers

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PublicationsAll of his Power Lies in the Distaff: Robespierre, Women, and the French Revolution." Past & Present, forthcoming 2014.The French Revolution: Faith, Desire and Politics. Routledge Press, 2013."Planning a Productive Summer." Chronicle of Higher Education, March 2013"Religion and the Politics of Time: Holidays from Louis XIV to Napoleon. Catholic University of America press, 2010."The French Revolution and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy: The Unintentional Turning Point," in Joshua Stein and Sargon G. Donabed, eds., Religion and the State: Europe and North America in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. Lexington Press, 2012."The Decline of Religious Holidays in Old Regime France, 1642-1789." French History, September 2009

Translations The Encyclopedia of Diderot & d’Alembert Collaborative Translation Project: translations of Christian Holidays and Sunday. Translations available at http://www.hti.umich/edu/d/did/

Book Reviews Sanja Perovic, The Calendar in Revolutionary France, for H-FrancePeter McPhee, Robespierre: A Revolutionary Life, for H-FranceJed Buchwald and Greco Josefowicz, The Zodiac of Paris, for French HistoryBrian Joseph Martin, Napoleonic Friendship: Military Fraternity, Intimacy, and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century France, for H-WarLaurent Turcot, ed., L'Ordinaire parisien des lumières, for H-FranceBernadette Bensaude-Vincent and Christine Blondel, eds., Science and Spectacle in the European Enlightenment, for H-FranceStuart Semmel, Napoleon and the British, for H-War


Scholarly/Professional Memberships• List your memberships in scholarly associations (e.g.,

American Historical Association, Modern Language Association). This category is very discipline specific

• If you have been active in the scholarly community, you should include this information here. Panel moderation would be a good example of something

that might fit under this heading

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Grants• Use this category if you have received significant funding

Dissertation and fellowship support are usually listed in “Honors and Awards”

Grant writing experience can be highlighted in other sections if no significant grants have been received

• List the funding agency and the projects that were funded

• The work supported by the grant can be discussed in detail under “Research Experience”

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Skills• These can be broken down based on what is appropriate

for your disciplineEnsure that the most important keywords come first in any

lists

• Skills can include:LanguagesComputer software/ and programmingStatistical softwareTeaching course management systems

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References• Give the contact information and titles of the individuals

who will be writing letters of recommendation for youProvide same number of references that employer requests

• Provide the contact information for the people who may have already submitted letters on your behalf. Don’t provide different contacts than those submitting letters

Dr. James L. Doe, Assistant Professor Department of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania215-000-0000, [email protected]

Dr. Christine Smith, ProfessorDepartment of Art History, UCLA314-000-0000, [email protected]

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Additional materials for the job search• Cover letters or letters of application• Research statement• Statement of teaching philosophy• “Evidence of excellence in teaching”• Writing sample• Diversity Statement, Statement of Faith• References

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CV & application materials interview

Must convince some/all

members of the search committee

NOTE: not all members of the

search committee understand all of

your research

Must show your research leads to publications and is of interest to funding orgs

AND/OR

Ability to engage and support

students through teaching/research

Must demonstrate your ability to lead your own

research or develop your own curriculum as an

independentfaculty member (you won’t be a

student/postdoc)


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Let’s take a moment…

Why is your research publishable and/or fundable?What makes you an effective teacher?


Cover letter• Highlights your experience and expertise relevant to the

specific position and institutionLength of cover letter can be dictated by what other

materials are asked for

• Elements of a cover letterSalutation: Dear Prof. Huntsman and members of the

Search Committee First paragraph: mention how you learned about the job

and summarize your key qualificationsBody: use the structure of the job ad to guide you in the

more detailed discussion of your qualifications. Mention the “so what” of your research, and teaching competencies

Final paragraph: Explain why this position and this institution are a good fit, offer to provide additional information upon request.

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• Don't send form letters - they are easily identifiableAbout as appealing as junk mail

• Concentrate on probable perspectives of those who will read the letter and try to address their interests as you writeKeep end user in mind at all times

• Be honest about your interests – write in simple, clear, professional style, and say only what you’re comfortable with and relatively sincere in saying

But this could have

been written for any job


Research statement• Use the language to guide you—do they want a

“Statement of Research Plans” or a “Summary of Current Research”

• Provide a context for your research interests Future research should follow logically from what you’ve doneRough estimate: 50% of statement might focus on futureList possible sources of funding for your research Identify possible collaborations Identify resources on campus you might utilize

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Teaching Philosophy• Sometimes included within a teaching portfolio, sometimes

sent in along with your cover letter and CV

• A document that details your experience of teaching: As a teacherAs a student being taughtAs a mentor (e.g., informal teaching experiences)

• Philosophy should explain:Why you do itWhat your goals areHow you do itHow successful you have been (and how do you know?)PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES

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Teaching Portfolio• This can include syllabi of established courses or

proposals for future courses as well as teaching evaluations and sample assignments

• Anything proposed should be associated with realistic goals regarding your target group of students grads/undergrads majors/non-majors International students Focus on most relevant group for job

• The Center for Teaching and Learning can help graduate students with their teaching materials. www.upenn.edu/ctl

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“Evidence of teaching excellence”

Evidence of my competence in teaching includes: The COMM999 syllabus, which illustrates how I tailored a required

course offered to reflect new trajectories in the field and to integrate my own research interests in health and environmental communication (p. 6)

Course Evaluations, including statistical evaluations of my two appointments – as an instructor for COMM999 in Summer 2012 and a teaching assistant for the same course in Spring 2011 – submitted through the Penn Course Review system. Average ratings are summarized below with mean scores for

instructors/courses at the School and the University (p. 13) Note: University Course Review measures Instructor/Course

Favorability and Course Difficulty on a 5-point scale from 0 (less favorable/difficult) to 4 (more favorable/difficult)

Rating chart follows

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“Evidence of teaching excellence”• Your “teaching excellence” could also be discussed by one

of the people recommending youProvide student evaluations to recommender so they can

discuss them, and provide context to interpret them• Formal teaching evaluations (university/departmental)• Feedback from other faculty, administrators, or students on

the courses you have taughtQuotes from students can be used

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Writing sample• This can be an off-print of an article

• This can be an edited chapter of a dissertationShort and to the point might be better than 50+ pages

• This could be something written just for the application –depending on the context

• Ask your mentor/advisor about what is appropriate in your field

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References & letters of recommendation• Decide whom to ask to be references

Your advisorsColleagues/mentors outside of your department,

committee, or current institutionBalancing information – research focus, teaching focus

• Communicate with your referencesAsk if they are able to write a positive reference for youLet them know the scheduleRemind them 2-3 weeks out before deadline

• How will you have letters of reference sent? Interfolio; VitaeYour department

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Diversity Statement, Statement of Faith• Documents that target specific mission statements of the institution

Look to institution website for more information to understand what these issues mean to the school

Whitworth University (faith) www.whitworth.edu/Administration/HumanResources/FacultyFaithEssay/Index.htm

UCLA (diversity) https://grad.ucla.edu/asis/diversity/index.html These statements are an opportunity to disclose more personal aspects of your

experience and how they influence your approach to scholarship and being a teacher

• Resources for diversity statements: https://chroniclevitae.com/news/266-the-professor-is-in-making-sense-of-the-

diversity-statement www.insidehighered.com/advice/2017/08/21/how-graduate-students-can-

demonstrate-commitment-diversity-job-interviews-essay

• Faith based statements: www.insidehighered.com/advice/2011/05/04/essay_on_the_job_options_for_faculty

_members_at_religious_colleges www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/04/17/essay-advice-applying-jobs-religious-

colleges

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Applying for positions• Apply for positions that appear to be a good fit for you

• Send what the announcement specifically requests, unless you have a very good reason to do otherwise

• In your cover letter show that you understand the unique qualities of each department/institution to which you are applying

• Let your recommenders know where you have applied

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Key points for all documents• No matter what field you are in, you must show that you

do compelling, forward-looking research that is both original and helps to advance your field

• All materials should look like they are part of a cohesive packet of information that tell an effective story about youFormatted in the same wayNot saying exactly the same thing, but expanding on

information mentioned in the other documentsEach as separate PDFs named appropriately (unless the

job announcement requests otherwise)

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Resources to help with written materials• Your advisor; other faculty in your field• Career Services programs – panels and workshops• The Academic Job Search Handbook, 5th ed. ($10 at Career

Services)• Penn’s Center for Teaching and Learning• Alumni from your program (QuakerNet; LinkedIn• Web resources:

Guides/samples on the Career Services websiteArticles on www.chronicle.com; www.insidehighered.com

• Meet with a career advisor – get CV review, and help with teaching philosophy, research statement and cover lettersLogin to Handshake or call 215 898 7530 to schedule an

appointment

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QUESTIONS?