Academics are used to hearing horror stories about their career prospects: that the job market is oversaturated, that the majority of available roles are adjunct positions, that only one in five PhD graduates will actually end up working as university professors. But what distinguishes a successful from a failed academic? And how can you set yourself apart from other qualified applicants and land that coveted position?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee success in this field, and different studies have reported conflicting results. That being said, you can safely bet that having a number of first-author publications under your belt, as well as a strong teaching and research record, will be a major help when it comes to getting the job.
The good news is that once you receive that first faculty job offer, it becomes much easier to get hired again. With that in mind, read on for some insights into landing that first position.
“Publish or perish”
It’s true what they say––one of the most consistent indicators of career success is a robust portfolio of published academic work. While many PhD candidates struggle to publish while working on their dissertation, it’s imperative to do it now, rather than wait. According to an article in The Conversation, the number of publications you rack up before graduating has proven a better predictor of your career success than even the prestige of your institution.
Write clearly and simply
Nothing demonstrates a lack of professionalism like typos and grammatical mistakes. Be sure to closely edit your documents for the “three C’s”: correctness, clarity, and consistency. Ask trusted peers or your supervisor to look over your written materials and point out any errors, flawed logic, or weak wording. Utilizing a professional copy-editing service can be a wise investment here, since even the most seasoned writer can become blind to their own language mistakes or inconsistencies.
On that note, be sure also to write as simply and clearly as possible. Many academics believe that the search committee will be experts in their field, but this isn’t necessarily true. When possible, avoid jargon and always keep your work easy to understand. Don’t muddle your meaning for the sake of sounding more “academic”—in fact, the best way to show off your writing chops is by using simple, concise language.
Know why you’re the right candidate
This goes beyond having an impressive CV and well-written application documents. Hiring decisions are often based on whether you’re a “good fit” for a particular role and for the institution more broadly. So do your research: know what they’re looking for––whether a particular line of research, or a skilled teacher with a strong personality––and be ready to convince them that you’re the person who can offer it to them.
Ultimately, remember that they’re not hiring out of the goodness of their hearts. This is about their needs, not your interests.
Get comfortable with rejection
Perhaps your application package was stellar and the position was seemingly tailor-made for you. The hard truth is that you still might not get the job. Academia is a competitive field, and there are plenty of other overqualified candidates vying for every open position. You’ll need to get comfortable with rejection and continue to vouch for your abilities regardless. After all, being rejected doesn’t mean you’re not qualified––it’s a normal part of the academic journey!
If you’re getting tired of rejections, however, you might consider taking on a post-doc position. This will help you make some money in your field while you wait for a professorial gig to pan out. Plus, it will strengthen your CV and sharpen your research skills.