Graduate Placement: Best Practices

When to Begin ...

As soon as you start your graduate studies, you should begin preparing for the job market by:

  • Working to establish your scholarly record.
  • Submitting papers for publication to peer-reviewed journals and for presentation at national and international conferences.
  • Attending conferences and lectures.
  • Establishing relationships with all members of the faculty with expertise in your area of interest. These will be the faculty from whom you will ultimately request letters of recommendation.

When to Apply ...

Most colleges and universities require candidates to have their Ph.D. already in hand before an appointment can be made. Searching for a job before you can resonably claim that you will have your dissertation defended prior to the start date of the job is often futile. However, in some rare cases ABD students are able to secure tenure-track appointments contingent on their completing their degree. You should consider applying when:

  • Your dissertation is in its final stages.
  • You have started to establish a publication record.
  • In rare cases, when coursework and exams are complete and you have ABD status.

Who to Ask for Help ...

The Penn State Graduate Program is committed to placing all its students. When you have questions about the placement process, you should contact:

  • The Graduate Placement Officer -- Prof. Len Lawlor.
  • Your Dissertation Advisor -- Your dissertation advisor is most familiar with your work and knows the field best. S/he will be able to contact colleagues in the field when necessary, direct you to promising job prospects and make suggestions concerning writing samples, your CV and cover letter.
  • The Director of Graduate Studies -- Prof. Christopher Long.
  • Any member of the Faculty -- Students should feel free to contact any member of the faculty for advice concerning placement. Members of the faculty have developed contacts at a wide range of institutions. Chances are that someone on the faculty knows someone at the institution to which you are applying.
  • Recent Graduates -- Often those who have recently negotiated the job market successfully have the most helpful insights. Below is a list of recent graduates who have indicated a willingness to share their experiences.
  • Kathryn Hume's Book -- Students have found Kathryn Hume's book, Surviving Your Academic Job Hunt, very helpful. Professor Hume is a member of Penn State's English Department.

Where to Find Job Offerings ...

Students should join the American Philosophical Association as soon as they begin thinking seriously about going on the job market. This will give you access to:

  • Jobs for Philosophers -- The newspaper and web-page that posts all the available positions for philosophers. The web-site posts positions throughout the year, while the paper comes out four times a year. The most postings are in October and November so that interviews can be arranged for the annual Eastern Division Meeting of the APA in December.
  • JFP Alert Mailing List -- This list sends you an e-mail anytime a new posting is made to the Jobs for Philosophers web page.
  • JobSeeker Database -- The APA allows applicants to submit information about their qualifications and interests into a database that potential employers can search.
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education -- The Chronicle posts a wide variety of academic positions.

Where to Apply ...

It depends on your personal situation, but generally it is best:

  • To apply for any position for which you are genuinely qualified.
  • Not to limit yourself too narrowly to a specific area of the country or, indeed, to jobs exclusively in the United States.
  • Not to limit yourself to a particular kind of institution (i.e., major research university, small liberal arts college, etc.).
  • To be as flexible and open as possible.

What to Send ...

Job advertisements should indicate precisely what to include in your dossier. However, an academic dossier usually includes:

  • A Cover Letter -- The cover letter should be brief: normally no longer than a page. Click here for an example of how a cover letter might be structured.
  • Curriculum Vita -- Your CV should be clear and concise. While formats vary, a good CV will clearly present the candidate's educational history, publications, awards and other qualifications. For some helpful advice concerning the preparation of a CV, including some samples, see http://www.quintcareers.com/curriculum_vitae.html.
  • Letters of Recomendation -- Each job positing will announce the number of letters of recommendation it requires. Normally, the request is for three. For the most part, these letters are expected to be sent directly to the search committee from the professors. It is important:
    • To alert your professors of your intention to request letters of recommendation from them;
    • To provide your professors with the accurate address of the institution, including the name of the person to whom the letter should be addressed;
    • To give your professors adequate lead time for them to write a thoughtful, well-constructed letter
    • To ask professors to write who know your work well, who will be able to write positively about your work; and, whenever possible, who have personal contacts with the institution to which you are applying.
  • Writing Sample -- Your writing sample should be a serious study, usually between 15 and 20 pages in length, that deals directly with the area of specialization of the position for which you are applying. It should showcase your philosophical abilities.
  • Teaching Portfolio -- Although not required, a teaching portfolio can be a good way to showcase your teaching credentials. It is often difficult to document a dedication to excellent teaching. For more information on teaching portfolios, see:

What to Keep In Mind ...

Searching for a job in Philosophy can be a very stressful and disconcerting experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make the process as smooth as possible:

  • Give Yourself and Your Professors Lead Time -- Prepare the material you will need well ahead of the appearance of the October issue of the Jobs for Philosophers. Alert those who will write your letters of recommendation of your intention to go on the market as early as possible.
  • Keep Records -- You need to keep track of the institutions to which you applied, what you sent to each, when you mailed the material, who you asked to send letters of recommendation, and who may have called on your behalf.

How to Prepare for an Interview ...

Once you have been asked for an interview, you should:

  • Do Research -- Use the internet to find out the mission of the college or university, the kinds of courses offered by the department, the names and interests of the faculty and whatever other features of the institution and department that makes it stand out. Here is a link to a list of American Colleges and Universities to help get you started.
  • Participate in a Mock Interview -- Each year the Department of Philosophy at Penn State arranges mock interviews for students who will be interviewed at the APA in December. These interviews are designed to recreate the atmosphere of a real interview and are tailored to the specific institutions with which each student will interview. After each mock interview, strategies for improvement are discussed with the student.
  • Work with PSU Faculty -- Members of the faculty are important resources. Find out if any of the faculty knows someone on the faculty of the institution with which you are interviewing. Ask them to contact their colleagues on your behalf.
  • Review your Dossier -- If you have applied to multiple positions, be sure you know what you sent to each institution. Be aware of the material you have provided for them so that you can anticipate questions based on that information. Think about your writing sample and be prepared to discuss it in some detail.
  • Anticipate Questions -- Be prepared to answer questions about your research interests. Practice giving a brief but succinct description of your research program. Think about your attitudes about teaching, your teaching philosophy. What will you say if you are asked about your most difficult or most rewarding teaching experience?

When Interviewing ...

The interview itself can be very stressful. It is helpful to consider the following before entering the interview:

  • Come with Questions -- At some point in every interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. The wrong answer to this question is: No. Always be prepared to ask your interviewers a question. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in their department and institution. Your question should be informed by the research you have done in preparing for the interview. You might ask:
    • About the collegiality of the members of the faculty.
    • About the library resources.
    • About a particular program that you think sets the department apart from others.
    • How many majors there are and what they do after graduation.
    • If there is an active philosophy club.
    • Do not ask about the teaching load.
  • Dress Professionally -- It is important to convey the impression that you are a serious, professional candidate. Suits (or sports coats) and ties for men, professional suits for women are expected.
  • Speak Formally, without Affectation -- Pay attention to your manner of speech. It should be polite and formal, but not affected.
  • Be Yourself -- An interview is an opportunity for you and your potential employer to determine your compatability with one another. It is therefore important to allow your own personality to show itself.
  • Listen to the Questions before Answering -- Be sure to listen to the entire question before answering it. Do not interrupt. Answer the question that was asked. When in doubt, it is always fair to ask if the person is satisfied with the answer you have given. Don't be afraid to follow up.
  • Make Eye Contact -- It may seem obvious, but direct eye contact demonstrates your interest in what is being discussed, your respect for the speaker and it reflects a sense of self-confidence.

When Preparing for a Campus Visit ...

If you are invited for a campus interview, you are probably one of the final two or three candidates being considered. Congratulations. In preparing for your visit, you should:

  • Do More Research -- Because being invited on campus indicates a strong committment to your candidacy, it requires a deeper understanding of the institution on your part. Do more research into the department and the institution as a whole. Find out what the mission of the college or university is and think about how the philosophy department fits into the institution as a whole.
  • Prepare an Appropriate Job Talk -- From the prospective employer, find out how long you are expected to speak, what the usual format for a job talk at that institution is, and even what topic would be most well received. Be sure to:
    • Present Material with which you are Comfortable: This is not the time to try out new material.
    • Directly Address the Relevant Area of Specialization
    • Limit the Length of your Paper to Allow for Questions
    • Prepare Handouts if Appropriate
    • Deliver the Paper here at PSU before going on-campus
  • Prepare Sample Syllabi -- Develop a few sample syllabi for courses that you might teach. This gives prospective employers an idea of the range of your abilities and it reinforces the notion that you take teaching seriously.
  • Arrive with Questions -- During the on-campus visit you will again have opportunities to ask questions. As you do your research, think about possible questions you might ask. What strikes you as unique about the institution or department? Give your hosts an opportunity to talk about their own programs and initiatives. Each constituency of the institution has different concerns and interests. Be ready to speak to:
    • Faculty Members
    • The Chair/Head of the Department
    • Undergraduate Students
    • Graduate Students (if applicable)
    • The Dean of the College
    • The Provost/Academic Vice President (depending on the institution)

When Visiting Campus ...

Campus visits are exhausting because each moment has the intensity of an interview. Be sure to:

  • Be on Time -- Make sure you have a clear sense of your itinerary. For the most part, a member of the faculty is responsible for making sure you arrive where you are supposed to be. However, when it is your responsibility, make sure you are on time.
  • Remain in "Interview Mode" -- Continue to follow the basic guidelines for interviews outlined above during the entire course of your visit.

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