Preparing a job application package

A vital part of obtaining a job in higher education is your application package. Our final course project is designed to help you prepare for applying for a college teaching position in the future.

I realize that everyone is not at the same stage in terms of the degree being earned and the readiness to apply for a faculty position. The purpose of this assignment is to help you prepare materials and to realize what else you would need to do to be competitive for a faculty position when the time comes for you to apply.

You are to identify a  potential job and then prepare:

• A cover letter -- Bring the job description to class on Monday, and we'll talk about writing a cover letter.
  
• Your vitae -- Please bring your vitae to class for discussion -- not to turn in. For examples of CVs and for advice about creating your CV, see The Chronicle of Higher Education's CV Doctor
  
• A statement of your teaching philosophy -- Wendy has made an assignment that will help you in developing your own teaching philosophy.

We'll also talk about other materials you might include in your job application, including a teaching portfolio. But those materials are not required for your class final project.

The deadline for the application materials is Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m. -- delivered to my mailbox or to my office. This is a paper submission, not electronic.

The application materials and CV are patterned after tenure and promotion guidelines. I would encourage you to scan UF's T&P guidelines. We'll talk about those on Monday, too.