September 23, 2005

Job Search I: Planning Ahead

Prepared by Tufail Malik

 

The meeting focused on how to prepare a job application. Prof. Anne Gelb conducted the session.

It was stressed to be positive, to the point and truthful in a job application. Depending on whether the institute is more teaching oriented or more research oriented, highlight your strengths in that area, point out the achievements but at the same time do not 'overdo'. The letter/application should be properly tailored based on the key words of the job advertisement and attention should be drawn towards relevant points. Some sample job ads were shown and key words pointed out.

 

The application should never be incomplete. For instance, submitting more than required number of recommendation letters would leave a better impression, but a lesser number than required, or combining the teaching and research statements when the application requires two separately written statements may render the application not considered at all. It is also a plus to request, when possible, a recommendation letter from a faculty out of the parent institute.

Besides a properly done application, it also helps to avail any opportunity to talk or present at a conference etc. and get social and discuss with people.

AMS and SIAM websites were mentioned as two of the best to read articles regarding job search, suggestions for fresh PhD's etc.

Tables were shown containing annual data from last few years with total number of PhD's produced in the US, the number of women PhD's produced in the US, the US citizen- and non-US citizen-PhD's produced in the US and the chances of getting hired by an academic institute in the US.

The meeting concluded with a homework assignment to write a Teaching Statement.