Obtaining Employment

What Employers Want in New Faculty

Job candidates for academic positions may be unaware of what employers are looking for in new faculty. The resources on this page provide current information on how best to prepare for a faculty position. Key characteristics noted in these articles should also be included in the CV. See also Writing CVs and Resumes.

Kathrynn A. Adams
What Colleges and Universities Want in New Faculty
Reviews the research on the preparation needed for graduate students and their responsibilities as faculty.

Alumni Survey of University of Washington Ph.D.s (Residing in the Puget Sound Area)
Qualitative responses to: What do Employers Want in a Ph.D.?

Associated New American Colleges
ANAC Institutional Representatives Propose Text for Discussion of Faculty Roles
ANAC member colleges and universities seek faculty who share a commitment to a professional model that emphasizes connections among teaching, research, and service roles.

Elon University
The Elon Teacher-Scholar
A statement of principles adopted by the faculty of Elon University.

Mary Cullinan (2002, February 12) The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Ones We Didn't Hire
A dean describes what the department looks for in job candidates.

Jolene Koester, President, California State University -- Northridge
Ideal Emphasis and Characteristics for the Preparation of New Faculty for Regional Comprehensive (Master's Preparation) Universities
A list of key characteristics for the preparation of new faculty.

James M. Lang (2002, October 29) The Chronicle of Higher Education
Redefining Myself on a Seven-Course Load
An English professor notes that the heavier course load at a teaching-oriented college is partly compensated by greater freedom in scholarly work.

Dana M. Zimbleman (2002, April 19) The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Community College Job Search
An English professor at a community college offers advice for applicants targeting community colleges, including advice (in a later column) about "The Importance of Cover Letters in a Community College Job Search."

Other Sources

Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. (2002). A re-examination of faculty hiring processes and procedures. (Clearinghouse No. JC010343.) Sacramento, CA (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED452899.)

Barber, Bob. (1995). Future faculty task force report, fall 1995. (Clearinghouse No. JC960271.) Eugene, OR. (ERIC Document Reproductive Service No. ED394539.)

Benson, Philip & Petrowsky, Michael. (1999). The hiring qualifications of full-time community college faculty that teach the economics principles courses: Two surveys. (Clearinghouse No. JC990575.) Phoenix, AZ. (ERIC Document Reproductive Service No. ED433866.)

Caplow, Theodore & McGee, Reece. (2001). The academic marketplace: Higher education labor studies. Somerset, NJ: Transaction Publishers.