Seminar Series for Doctoral Students 2006-2007

Session 1: Job Searching/Getting Ready to Apply
Presenter: Dr. Peter Doolittle
Time and place: September 20, Gym 126, noon-1:30
Sponsored by the SOE Student Association

Topics Discussed

• Searching for Jobs
• Questions to Ask Yourself before Starting the Search
• Where to Find Job Postings (Some sites are listed and linked below.)
• Deconstructing the Job Posting-What Does the Ad Mean?
• What Happens at the Receiving University after the Application Packet Arrives?

Session Handouts

• Questions to ask yourself before starting the search (doc)
• Job Posting Example 1 (doc)
• Job posting Example 2 (pdf)
• Sample format used by Dr. Doolittle when he analyzes submitted applications (doc)

Video available to view and listen to the session (119.5 MB QuickTime)

If needed, you can download the free QuickTime player from Apple's website.

Session 2: Getting the Application Packet Ready
Presenters: Drs. Brett Jones, David Hicks and Vanessa Pitts-Bannister
Time and place: October 31, GLC Room D, noon-1:30
Sponsored by the SOE Student Association

Topics to be Discussed

• Preparing the Curriculum Vita
• Writing the Cover Letter
• Obtaining References and Recommendation Letters
• Writing the Teaching/Research Philosophies
• What to Do After Sending the Application Packet

Session Handout (pdf) This file includes sample cover letters, vitas, and teaching/resource statements contributed by SOE faculty members.

Video available to view and listen to the session (123.2 MB QuickTime)

Session 3: The Interview Process
Presenters: Drs. Jennifer Brill, Brett Jones and Ed Wolfe
Time and Place: Thursday, January 25, GLC Room C, 10:30-12:00
Sponsored by the SOE Doctoral Programs Task Force

Topics to be Discussed

• Getting Ready for the Campus Interview Visit
• Questions to Ask and Not Ask
• What to Wear
• Giving a Presentation or Teaching a Class
• How to Handle a Job Offer or Rejection; Negotiation

Session Handouts and Other Helpful Resources

• Session Powerpoint slides
• Considerations for the Academic Job Search (pdf)
• Interview Questions for Faculty Candidates (pdf)
• Ph.D. Interview Preparation Guide for Positions in Academia http://advertising.utexas.edu/JR/InterviewPrep.html
• Academic Job Interview Questions
  http://sa_yoshi.at.infoseek.co.jp/profession/IntvQ.html
• Job Interviewing Handout
  http://www.english.upenn.edu/~mgamer/interview.html

Video available to view and listen to the session (115 MB QuickTime)

Session 4: Coffee and Conversation with Faculty and Doctoral Students about their Recent Job Search Processes
Presenters: Dr. Vanessa Pitts-Bannister, Stephanie Behm (interviewed at medium to large size universities), and Julie Grady (interviewed at medium size universities and small private colleges)
Time and Place: Wednesday, May 2, GLC Room G, 10:30-12:00
Sponsored by the Doctoral Programs Task Force

Other helpful sources for finding information about the job application process:

To find information additional information related to your specific professional interests, check the websites for your own professional organizations.

Virginia Tech Career Services

HigherEdJobs.com

The Chronicle of Higher Education