Section 15. The Job Search and Job Placement Committee
Each year, faculty members appointed to the department’s Job Placement Committee assist students with their current academic job search.
Early in the fall quarter of each year, and again in the spring quarter, the Job Placement Committee will call a meeting for all interested students: these include those planning to actively enter the job market that year, as well as those planning ahead and getting a feel for the process. Subjects for discussion during this meeting will include the drafting of a curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter (what to include? what to emphasize?), the preparation of a job document dossier (when to begin? from whom to seek letters of recommendation?), how to determine which writing samples to send (dissertation chapter? published offprint?), strategies for job interviews (what questions to expect? common pitfalls?), and how to take advantage of possible faculty contacts at other universities. These meetings are designed to offer advice about how to prepare compelling job application, what to expect regarding deadlines/timelines, how and where to access current academic job listings, as well as advice about what to expect during campus visits, interviews, and networking opportunities.
In the spring quarter previous to entering the summer/fall job market, students should begin soliciting letters of recommendation from their dissertation committee and (if prudent) other faculty in the English Department that a student has worked closely with. It may also be a good idea to arrange classroom visit with one’s dissertation advisor, so they can write a detailed account about the student’s pedagogical praxis. Ideally, the job document dossier should include two or three letters from specialists in the student’s academic discipline, and one or more letters discussing the applicant’s pedagogy/teaching abilities, as well as other relevant skills sets like involvement in collaborative research , organizing conferences, or community service endeavors (as appropriate). The DGS, in addition to a student’s dissertation advisor, can provide insight and guidance on how to approach tailoring job market materials toward specific contexts. Additionally, in the past some students actively on the job market have elected to use Interfolio, or similar job application management software, in order aid in this process.
Students actively on the market should meet with the job placement committee several times during fall quarter to cover application materials and interview techniques; those selected for campus visits will also have the opportunity to practice by giving a prior ‘mock’ job talk with English Department faculty and peers.
15.1. UCSB Graduate Career Services
In addition to consulting the English Department Job Placement Committee, enrolled graduate students at UCSB are eligible for a wide variety of personal and career-related services at UCSB’s Counseling and Career Services Center. Personal appointments may be scheduled to discuss topics such as document preparation, writing samples, interview and job search strategies, and non-academic career paths.