A selective list of perfect positions at perfect institutions that perfectly match your interests, desires, and goals. A carefully crafted resume that describes in detail the work you have done to promote student development and engagement. A fine-tuned cover letter that shows how the institution’s needs, the position description, and your expertise are in perfect alignment. Well-rehearsed interview responses that show an understanding and implementation of theory to address specific needs of the institution. These are the elements of a successful job search. At least, that is the idea anyway.
In a previous post, I discussed how “finding the right fit” is a wonderful ambition at the start of a search and is absolutely the model for subsequent searches. As time passes, however, a search may become less about “fit” and more about paying the bills. Time and rejection reduces the dream and ideal to the practical and realistic. As I hinted at before, a similar effect can be seen in the way one approaches the job search process, although potentially much sooner.
The job search is an intimidating process. Thankfully, placement exchanges (OPE, TPE, etc.) and listing sites (HigherEdJobs, Vitae, etc.) make the task of finding positions substantially easier. It is easy enough to limit a search by a geographic region, institution type, experience needed, and general functional area. That can still leave you with a list of hundreds of jobs to comb through. How could you possibly cut through these to find the ones that are “right”? I suppose the ideal answer is that you can research to find institutions you want to work at, programs you want to help support, departments that are doing great work in the field, and institutions your colleagues have enjoyed working at. These are all fine for those who are still abiding by the “fit” motif, but they seem extremely inefficient in any other context.
My search for a full-time position was restricted by time, as my May graduation would mean an end to my income, August marked the end of my lease at my apartment, and November marked the time I would need to begin repaying my student loans. Implied in each of these points is a limitation on the funds I had available fund my job search and support myself. To combat this, I took on what I believed to be a more practical approach to my job search. I decided to abandon the rod and reel in favor of a large net.
If every announcement receives two hundred applications, I have half a percent chance of getting a job. Put me higher up in a candidate pool and my chances may improve to over one percent. To maximize my chance of getting a job, I would simply need to put in more applications. I constructed a strong resume that spoke to my experiences, and drafted up a couple different cover letters to address different functional areas I may apply to. I took on nearly a dozen interviews at TPE, and set up a general e-mail schedule from HigherEdJobs.
I know what you are thinking. You are likely saying, “Well, of course you had trouble finding a job with that approach.” What other option did I have, though? I was running out of time, as every day without a job meant more debt. Should I spend two hours to create strong, well-researched application materials for one to two jobs or should I use a more general approach and knock out five or even ten applications in the same period? Obviously, the one application would be better and may lead to an interview offer, but maybe the ten would lead to three interviews?
Thankfully, I did seem to get several interview requests and advanced through various stages of a university’s search, but I cannot help but wonder how my pragmatic approach to applications may have hindered my search.
Introduction
Context for each of these posts, as well as some necessary disclaimers.
“Finding the Right Fit”: A Fallacy for First Searches
A look at how sometimes you just do not have the time and resources to find the “perfect” job.
“What Kind of Musical Instrument Are You?”: Fluffy Interview Questions and Wasting Time
Why I don’t mind “fluff” questions, and neither should you.
“What is your perfect Sunday?”: Describing Your Needs
The struggle in opperationalizing and communicating your needs as a new professional.
Conclusion
Final thoughts on this project.
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