Preparing for an Academic Career Path

Academic Job Search - Screening Process

The specifics of the screening process vary with different searches, but generally, there is a three-stage process that whittles the hundreds of applications to a single job offer. The first stage is understandably the most lengthy as this is when every submitted file is read and evaluated. The length of time this stage takes depends on the schedules of the hiring committee members, the number of applicants and the timelines around the vacant position.

During the initial screening, a pool of up to 25 applicants will be short-listed, that is, selected to go through a preliminary interview, usually at a large, annual professional conference (e.g. MLA) or some other venue where both parties are likely to be without incurring extra costs.

After the first round of interviews, the pool is shrunk to 3-5 of the most impressive applicants. These people will be invited to a formal interview at the institution's expense. This 'interview' is actually a series of activities that will allow both the applicant and the department to determine the suitability of each to the other. Typically, these activities will be scheduled over a couple of days and will include a panel interview, a 'job talk' where the applicant gives an academic paper either to faculty, students or both, and several 'social' events (dinner, luncheons, cocktail parties). The successful applicant is selected shortly after the last round of interviews and will be expected to be on campus during the upcoming summer to be prepared to begin teaching the next fall.