As I reflect, though, "war stories" isn't necessarily the best description of the job search (although I'm sure some of my colleagues can attest to some interviews that felt like battles!). Rather, the most appropriate metaphor I have ever heard, and the one I usually share with people, is that the higher ed job search is like dating.
So, how did you two meet?
The job search begins with precisely that - a search. Some of us sign up for an "online dating website," i.e. HigherEdJobs.com or Chronicle.com. We carefully craft our profile (resume, cover letter), and start to search for certain criteria for that "special one" - location, job duties, salary. Another route some of us take is to use friends and colleagues to see if that "special one" is on the market without resorting to online methods. We ask mentors, supervisors, friends to pass along that one opportunity that may seem like a good fit ("Oh my goodness, you two would be perfect for each other!").
Sometimes this blind date method can yield amazing results because of the networking connection; sometimes the online dating method is best because you can pick and choose the criteria you're looking for in a position before you meet or talk for the first time. Whatever your methods, much like dating, the key is to get yourself out there, and to know what you're looking for.
Sometimes this blind date method can yield amazing results because of the networking connection; sometimes the online dating method is best because you can pick and choose the criteria you're looking for in a position before you meet or talk for the first time. Whatever your methods, much like dating, the key is to get yourself out there, and to know what you're looking for.
Speed-Dating / Going Out on the Town
For many in the dating game, an ideal situation is to go where the "fish" are plentiful, such as out in the community, going to a bar or restaurant, or attending a speed-dating or networking event. This way, you can get to meet potential dates or mates in person first to WOW them with your rugged good looks and sparkling social skills. (Don't we all have those qualities?) In higher education, these social events are placement exchanges, such as NASPA's TPE or ACPA's C3. While not necessarily critical to your job search, these job placement conferences can be an amazing place to meet new people, practice your interviewing skills, and get feedback on your resume and cover letter.
Although my job didn't come from my attending TPE, several of my on-campus interviews did, and I was incredibly thankful for the chance to get to meet employers in person and practice my interviewing skills. The other benefit of these placement exchanges is much the same as your benefit from going out or attending a speed-dating event - you get to see what's out there, and you get to see what qualities or traits a potential job match has that make your heart beat a little faster. Is it the job itself that drew your eye? Is it the conveyed personality of the office or institution? Placement exchanges are a great place to figure out what YOU'RE on the market for, as well as being on the market yourself. Beyond the placement exchange, conferences too can be perfect opportunities to meet with potential employers to feel out open positions.
Although my job didn't come from my attending TPE, several of my on-campus interviews did, and I was incredibly thankful for the chance to get to meet employers in person and practice my interviewing skills. The other benefit of these placement exchanges is much the same as your benefit from going out or attending a speed-dating event - you get to see what's out there, and you get to see what qualities or traits a potential job match has that make your heart beat a little faster. Is it the job itself that drew your eye? Is it the conveyed personality of the office or institution? Placement exchanges are a great place to figure out what YOU'RE on the market for, as well as being on the market yourself. Beyond the placement exchange, conferences too can be perfect opportunities to meet with potential employers to feel out open positions.
First Date - the Jitters, being Grilled, and Sparks Flying
Ahhh, the phone interview, or in our job search dating terms, the first date. A time to get to know your potential partner - the institution, the co-workers - but also to impress. You feel the obligation to be your authentic self but ALSO be on your best behavior; you try to strike the right balance of humor and sincerity; of asking questions and answering them. You do your best to read who you're interacting with to gauge their level of interest, all while doing your best to honestly express your interest. Your stomach often shakes with butterflies; you can't tell if there will be another call after or whether just this first interaction is all you'll have... sound nerve-wracking?
I don't mean to make it seem intimidating; in fact, once you get the hang of phone interviews, they can be quite enjoyable, a chance to get a read on the institution for which you're interested in working. But there are always questions. Will they grill you, or make it more like a conversation? How long do you talk in order to express yourself best without droning on and on? How do you honestly talk about yourself without exposing your flaws too quickly? What are the best questions to ask to find out about the culture of the institution and office? Phone interviews, much like first dates, are crap-shoots: they can be duds, or sparks can fly. The best advice I can give is to be prepared - reflect on your stories and your values, and do your due diligence to research the office and the position - and to be yourself.
Meeting the Parents (and Friends, and Exes, and the Whole Darn Family), or the On-Campus Interview
So things went well on your first date - er, interview. So well, in fact, that your date - er, institution - is thinking about making this a permanent arrangement. It's time for that moment, the one that every singleton/job searcher dreads - it's time to meet the parents. In terms of our job searching process, this means the on-campus interview. This is the big one - your opportunity to impress, to sell yourself and what you're about so that the institution can decide if you'll be a fit for them. You want to look your best, feel your best, and interview your best, so prepare, prepare, prepare. Much like dating though, and similarly to the rest of the job-search process, the on-campus interview isn't just a question of whether the employer likes you: it's ALSO a question of whether you can see yourself making that long-term commitment to your potential employer. The "big question" must be answered in a resounding YES by BOTH parties, and the on-campus interview is your prime time to make sure that you're going to find room to grow, to learn, and to become your best self in this "relationship."
While you're preparing to answer questions, prepare to ask lots of them too - what is the office culture like? How does your office interact with its students? What kind of support will you get from supervisors? Where does your office fit in the grand cultural & political scheme of campus? What is it like to live in the city or town? Will your transition be an easy one or a hard one? These are all questions that should be answered before you decide to make a serious step toward that "long-term commitment" of taking a job. And remember, institutions are made up of people, and people are inevitably messy. No one is perfect; even your "perfect" institution probably has its share of skeletons in their closet. So the question to ask is - much like in a long-term relationship - does their baggage match yours?
Will you say YES to the Big Question?
The final step in any job search process is the big one, THE question, the one we all hope for and dream of: the job offer. When your phone lights up with your potential employer's number, your heart starts beating faster, the butterflies in your stomach get to flying... and it's happening! They've picked YOU! This institution wants to make a commitment to YOU!!!
Of course, much like big steps in any relationship - moving in together, getting married, having/adopting children, etc - MUCH thought and preparation should be put into the answer to this question. Did you truly feel a fit with this institution - e.g., are the job duties what you're looking for? Is the office culture supportive of what you need? Do the salary and benefits work for you? Geographically, is this institution in the right place? Mission-wise, does this institution value what you value? If you're able to answer all of these questions in the affirmative, then lucky you - it's time to say YES to your "one." (Or at least, your next "one.")
But once you give that answer, the work is not over. Much like any relationship, expectations must be clarified and set. For anyone who's committed to a long term partner, you know what these questions include - who is handling the finances? Are we combining bank accounts, or keeping them separate? Do we want to have kids, and if so, how many? Is our family going to be spiritual, and if so, what does that look like? (and so on.)
In the same way, you must ask questions of your soon-to-be employer (and negotiate, negotiate, negotiate). Although I'm no expert on negotiation, I can give you a starting list, based on my own experience, of what conversation topics should include with your new employer (and colleagues):
I don't mean to make it seem intimidating; in fact, once you get the hang of phone interviews, they can be quite enjoyable, a chance to get a read on the institution for which you're interested in working. But there are always questions. Will they grill you, or make it more like a conversation? How long do you talk in order to express yourself best without droning on and on? How do you honestly talk about yourself without exposing your flaws too quickly? What are the best questions to ask to find out about the culture of the institution and office? Phone interviews, much like first dates, are crap-shoots: they can be duds, or sparks can fly. The best advice I can give is to be prepared - reflect on your stories and your values, and do your due diligence to research the office and the position - and to be yourself.
Meeting the Parents (and Friends, and Exes, and the Whole Darn Family), or the On-Campus Interview
So things went well on your first date - er, interview. So well, in fact, that your date - er, institution - is thinking about making this a permanent arrangement. It's time for that moment, the one that every singleton/job searcher dreads - it's time to meet the parents. In terms of our job searching process, this means the on-campus interview. This is the big one - your opportunity to impress, to sell yourself and what you're about so that the institution can decide if you'll be a fit for them. You want to look your best, feel your best, and interview your best, so prepare, prepare, prepare. Much like dating though, and similarly to the rest of the job-search process, the on-campus interview isn't just a question of whether the employer likes you: it's ALSO a question of whether you can see yourself making that long-term commitment to your potential employer. The "big question" must be answered in a resounding YES by BOTH parties, and the on-campus interview is your prime time to make sure that you're going to find room to grow, to learn, and to become your best self in this "relationship."
While you're preparing to answer questions, prepare to ask lots of them too - what is the office culture like? How does your office interact with its students? What kind of support will you get from supervisors? Where does your office fit in the grand cultural & political scheme of campus? What is it like to live in the city or town? Will your transition be an easy one or a hard one? These are all questions that should be answered before you decide to make a serious step toward that "long-term commitment" of taking a job. And remember, institutions are made up of people, and people are inevitably messy. No one is perfect; even your "perfect" institution probably has its share of skeletons in their closet. So the question to ask is - much like in a long-term relationship - does their baggage match yours?
Will you say YES to the Big Question?
The final step in any job search process is the big one, THE question, the one we all hope for and dream of: the job offer. When your phone lights up with your potential employer's number, your heart starts beating faster, the butterflies in your stomach get to flying... and it's happening! They've picked YOU! This institution wants to make a commitment to YOU!!!
Of course, much like big steps in any relationship - moving in together, getting married, having/adopting children, etc - MUCH thought and preparation should be put into the answer to this question. Did you truly feel a fit with this institution - e.g., are the job duties what you're looking for? Is the office culture supportive of what you need? Do the salary and benefits work for you? Geographically, is this institution in the right place? Mission-wise, does this institution value what you value? If you're able to answer all of these questions in the affirmative, then lucky you - it's time to say YES to your "one." (Or at least, your next "one.")
But once you give that answer, the work is not over. Much like any relationship, expectations must be clarified and set. For anyone who's committed to a long term partner, you know what these questions include - who is handling the finances? Are we combining bank accounts, or keeping them separate? Do we want to have kids, and if so, how many? Is our family going to be spiritual, and if so, what does that look like? (and so on.)
In the same way, you must ask questions of your soon-to-be employer (and negotiate, negotiate, negotiate). Although I'm no expert on negotiation, I can give you a starting list, based on my own experience, of what conversation topics should include with your new employer (and colleagues):
- Start date
- Salary (is there room to negotiate, and does it make sense to do so? When is payday each month, and how often? What benefits get taken out automatically?)
- Benefits (what is covered by the university, and how much? If you're switching institutions, can the retirement fund you've already started be carried over? Can health benefits be carried over? If you have a partner and/or other dependents, how much are they covered under your benefits?)
- Moving assistance (Is there any extra money in the budget to get moving expenses covered?)
- The town/city/area (Where is a good place to live, if you get to live off-campus? How far away should you live, based on your work hours? What are fun things to do near the institution, and far away from it? How far are you from a major airport?)
- University amenities, especially parking & recreational centers (How much is parking per month, and what does faculty/staff parking look like near your building? Do faculty/staff get free membership to campus rec centers, or do you have to pay? If you have to pay, can it be deducted from your paycheck?)
- Time off (How much vacation/sick time is included in your initial benefits package? What is your supervisor's/the institution's approach to flex time vs. vacation time?)
- Professional development (Are you provided any funds by your office, department, or the institution? Is participation in regional, state, and/or national associations encouraged? Are there any conferences that you are expected to attend, based on your functional area? Are there any additional campus grants or funds for which you can apply if you want to attend more than one conference?)
- General day-to-day expectations (What are your hours? What is the office "dress code"? Do your colleagues stop in each other's offices and chat for a short time each day, or does everyone keep to themselves? How full should your calendar be? What are your regular weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly meetings? How does your supervisor expect you to keep him/her informed about your progress?)
Although not an exhaustive list, hopefully these questions spark good and healthy conversation with your new institution and supervisor. Again, healthy communication is the key - it's important to talk about important issues as soon as possible so you can make sure that you and your new employers are on the same page before you begin work.
Happily Ever After?
No job is permanent in this world, especially in an ever-evolving field like student affairs. So while I wish for all of my readers healthy, LONG-lasting long-term relationships (if that's what you're looking for), what I wish for you in the job search is fit.
I hope that you are taking time, being patient, and making sure to prioritize your values. I hope that you are looking into the future, and applying for jobs that will help you learn and grow and continually become better. I hope that you are applying at institutions whose missions and actions show them to be principled employers who care about student well-being.
Most of all, even though it might not be an "ever-after," I do wish you a HAPPY job searching, and a GOOD job that will enable you to do your BEST work.
My rugged good looks will get me where I need to go.
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