Here is a comprehensive timeline of the job application process from start to finish. I’d recommend bookmarking or printing it (PDF forthcoming), and using it as a checklist. At each step, you’ll find links to more in-depth guides/tutorials; you’ll also want to check out the annotated bibliography of useful external resources.
- Notify your recommenders and advisors that you’ll be going on the market, and that you’ll need a letter from them by mid-September
- Request copies of past job documents from your department, start drafting your
- CV (see LifeClever article for formatting tutorial)
- Cover Letter (2pp single-spaced max)
- Dissertation Abstract (1-2pp s-s)
- Writing Sample (20-30pp d-s)
- Teaching portfolio
- Create a series of web browser bookmarks for job posting sites, and check them at least weekly, or set up an RSS Feed:
- MLA Job Information list
- H-Net
- Academic Wiki (Scroll down to current “Application Year” for sub-sections)
- Higher Ed Jobs
- Academic Jobs Online
- Inside Higher Ed (narrow down using search)
- Create an organizational system to keep track of your applications (step-by-step guide here)
- Contact your department/job placement coordinator to see what reimbursement/funding options exist for job applicants (many departments offer an Interfolio credit and convention travel reimbursement, and MLA, for example, offers free Interfolio accounts for its members)
JULY
- Schedule an appointment with your job placement coordinator and/or advisors to go over drafts of your application documents, get them in polished shape
- Set up an academic website (see my guide here)
- Become a member of MLA (or your relevant professional organization)
AUGUST
- Set up an Interfolio account and send automated requests to your recommenders; make sure they also have a copy of your application docs
- If you are ABD and applying to postdocs, it’s a good idea to also request a general “progress to degree” letter from your department chair/head of grad studies confirming that you’ll have the degree in hand by the end of the academic year; many postdocs require this.
- Start contacting people you’ve developed academic connections with over the years, letting them know you’re on the market and seeing if they have any knowledge of/advice about positions in your particular field; send them your academic website URL so they can quickly peruse your profile without having to read all of your documents
- Even if you haven’t finished your dissertation, try to produce polished (ideally typeset) drafts of the chapters that are complete; many departments will request them if they like your initial application package.
SEPTEMBER
- Start applying to jobs, keeping careful track of progress on your GoogleDocs spreadsheet
- Make sure that all of your recommenders have submitted their letters to Interfolio; contact your job placement coordinator to vet them and make sure there weren’t any upload errors
- Keep your academic website updated, especially if you’re teaching or have gotten a fellowship
OCTOBER
- Book your convention flight and hotel, even if you aren’t sure you’ll go (make sure to keep track of receipts to apply for later reimbursement)
- If your department doesn’t offer travel assistance, apply to the MLA Graduate Student financial assistance (~Nov. 1 deadline)
- This is not the time to save a few bucks. Book one of the convention website’s recommended hotels (or one in close vicinity) – although I would suggest avoiding the hotel where the actual panels are being held. Choose a non-stop flight or one that arrives at a reasonable hour (ideally in mid-afternoon, so you can make your way to the hotel before it gets dark)
- Arrive on the day before the convention starts (usually it runs Thurs-Sunday) in case you have to schedule interviews for Thursday. Feel free to leave early Sunday morning.
- Start deciding on an interview outfit, using the weather of the convention location as your guide (see my style guide here).
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
- Hopefully, you’ll start to get requests for additional materials/requests for interviews; make sure to keep track of what materials you send on your spreadsheet. (tips on phone/skype interviews here)
- Schedule a mock interview with your department, and start rehearsing answers to common questions.
- Get back in contact with your academic network: send them information about the interviews you have (include the original job description and the names of the interviewers).
- Keep your advisors updated on your monthly progress.
- As you prepare to leave for winter break, consider distributing this little pamphlet to your non-academic friends and family to help avoid any awkward or irritating conversations about how your search for a “teaching job” is going.
Thank you, Tara!