Job Hunting Advice

I have been collecting advice on a wide variety of areas from a wide variety of scholars in the job hunt--here are a few nuggets--

Negotiating 101

• Start with your base salary. Your base salary will determine a great deal about how "high" you can climb in the future. Many opportunities, like summer teaching, are determined by a percentage of your base salary. Consider your market value to the department and the institution and argue from there. Know what you are bringing to the table and how you will contribute. Try to get $$ added on to your base salary first before negotiating one-time $$ offers. Talk about future increases based on merit and cost-of-living.
  
• Make sure you have adequate start-up money for your office/lab. Computers and space should also be a part of this conversation.
• If you can't get more $$ added to your base salary work to secure other funding opportunities--summer research stipends/grants, conference travel funds, library budget, lab maintenance/upgrade funds, etc.
• Find a teaching load agreement that is comfortable for you. If your position covers other duties (administration, heavy service/advisement, curriculum development) talk about having your teaching time reassigned to account for those duties. It may also be useful for you to secure a cap on the number of students in your courses.
• Remember: "An institution that really wants you bad will work hard to protect you when you get there."

Before Accepting an Offer
Take your time. This is an important decision. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE. While some scholars may look down on a decision influenced by location or weather or surrounding culture, if these things are important to you, do not allow others to devalue their importance. Being in an environment where you are happy and comfortable will make you a more productive scholar/teacher.

Also consider how this institution might fit into your future career goals. Will this be a good starting point for where you want to go later?

Make sure you ask LOTS of questions. Does the university have a good insurance plan? Are there possibilities for spousal hires? What is the departmental/institution attitude towards family-planning? Will the service obligations be a burden in your first few years in this new position. Find out EVERYTHING you need to know.

On Taking a Position Your Committee Might Not Like
"You must really work hard to detach yourself from the opinions of others. It is easier to develop a habit of mind to do this now rather than later. If you don't, you will self-destruct."

On Job Market Advice
Listen to what everyone has to say, and then don't. Follow your heart and make what you think is the best decision for you. Remember that "the only way to navigate academe is to be so excellent that everyone leaves you alone."

That's all for now--more as I continue to collect advice.