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 First, I am a HIGH I and my title was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. I know my situation isn't unique, but it feels like it!

I come from the corporate world, but have been wanting to transition to academia. I am currently a part-time adjunct instructor in management and am applying for a full-time instructor position in the same department. The chair of the department sent me the job posting this week. A few questions....

- is it safe to assume that the chair of the department is the hiring manager? As in, should I address the cover letter to him (cover letter to be uploaded to school's web system)?

- should I send him a separate note to let him know I've submitted an application and look forward to speaking with him?

- I had planned to ask him for coffee to discuss future opportunities/possibility of starting my PhD.....should I still do that or will it seem like "sucking up" once I apply?

- I know have nothing until I have something....BUT....in the academic world where jobs are given pay grades, is there negotiation on the offer? I don't need benefits (spouse is in the military), so in a corporate setting, I would ask for more cash. Is that frowned on in higher ed?

- any other advice for going through the interview process in education??????? 

Thank you all so much!

AppleJack's picture
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- is it safe to assume that the chair of the department is the hiring manager? As in, should I address the cover letter to him (cover letter to be uploaded to school's web system)?
Most FT faculty are usually screened/interviewed by a search committee, the department chair may or may not be on the committee. The committee would recommend to the chair who to bring in for in person interviews and as well as who to hire.

- should I send him a separate note to let him know I've submitted an application and look forward to speaking with him?
It's probably a safe thing to do if done professionally.

- I had planned to ask him for coffee to discuss future opportunities/possibility of starting my PhD.....should I still do that or will it seem like "sucking up" once I apply?
Well that sounds like a High I thing to do to me. How it will be interpreted will depend up the individual chair.

- I know have nothing until I have something....BUT....in the academic world where jobs are given pay grades, is there negotiation on the offer? I don't need benefits (spouse is in the military), so in a corporate setting, I would ask for more cash. Is that frowned on in higher ed?
Listen to the Interview Series re: 'negotiating', but it will depend on the institution.
Pay grades are usually in place in order to ensure pay equity, so 'negotiating' usually results only when the University is willing to compete for an incumbent due to the quality of their credentials, publications, etc... chairs with a competitive nature will volunteer to up their offer if appropriate, those who do not would be offended if you made such a request. Either way the ball is in their court, not yours.

- any other advice for going through the interview process in education???????
Most FT faculty positions require that you already have a terminal degree. Be prepared to be interviewed by several people or groups multiple times. If it is a faculty position, you may need to give a "talk" (a lecture) as well, usually to anyone students, faculty, staff who wish to attend.

tmliz's picture

Thanks for the advice. I'm teaching this semester, so maybe the committee will sit in on an actual class? It's an instructor position, so although a PhD is "preferred," they are considering those with Masters and experience.

I'm still a little worried about whom to address the cover letter to. Any advice there?

AppleJack's picture
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I've never heard of a search committee sitting in on an actual class. Most/many colleges will have someone sit in on a class as part of standard review procedures, and that info would go into your file as a faculty member, but that's usually separate from the actual search. If a "talk" is part of the process, it is usually set up specifically during the search and an announcement is made so that anyone on campus can sit it, but some schools may skip this.

In terms of addressing the cover letter, what does the position announcement state?  One option is to simply call either the department or HR and say "I'm planning to apply for position X, to whom should I address my cover letter?"

You may also want to check out the Chronicle (http://chronicle.com), there is usually tons of info on the discussion forums there from faculty navigating the search process.
AJ