Start Early!

Compile your materials CV, writing samples, research information; well in advance of application deadlines so that you have adequate time to make necessary revisions. If the institutions you're interested in interview at large annual conferences, be sure to note these dates in advance.

Students who have not completed their dissertations are urged to consult their departments to determine the best time to begin their academic search. Completion of your dissertation before applying for academic posts is generally the best plan.

Assessing Your Career Options

Before you begin your academic work search, you need to have a good sense of your skills and credentials. This assessment of your skills will give you an idea of what you have to offer an employer, and assist you in marketing yourself more effectively. You may realize that there are some skills that academic institutions are looking for that you do not have. You may need to take a course, submit some papers, present at a conference or find some other method of gaining this experience. Consider speaking with a career counsellor or departmental advisor for further suggestions or assistance.

You will also need to take the time to assess your own needs to focus your search. You may need to be somewhat flexible, especially if there are limited opportunities for work in your particular field. Some questions to ponder about where you would like to live and work:

• Would you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural environment?
• What sort of institution appeals to you?
• Could you work at an institution that only had undergraduate levels or a community college?

For more insight into academic career options (and non-academic options), consult the Masters and Doctoral student page.

Getting Help With the Search

For assistance with the academic work search, book an appointment with a career counsellor at the Career Centre. After an initial consultation, you can bring in your CV to be proofread and critiqued. You can also seek advice from a departmental advisor, and check to see if your department has resources that can assist your search—many offer seminars on preparing CV’s, compiling teaching dossiers and preparing job talks.

Where do I Look?

Once you know what you are looking for, you can begin your search. Here are several avenues to pursue for leads:

Journals and newsletters

Most disciplines have a few widely-read journals— advertisements often appear in their pages. Ask your department if you are unsure which journals to read. In addition to discipline specific journals, be sure to check these general journals regularly:

• For academic postings in Canada, check out University Affairs (print copies available in the Career Resource Library), and C.A.U.T. Bulletin (print copies available in Robarts Library).
• For postings at American universities, read The Chronicle of Higher Education (print version available in the Career Resource Library).
• For job listings in the UK, browse The Times Higher Education Supplement (available in Robarts Library).

Additional job listings

These popular job listing sites can be used to identify additional opportunities in many disciplines, at home and abroad:

• PostdocJobs.com — a searchable database of listings
• Science Magazine — access listings in the sciences
• The Scientist — life science job listings
• PhDs.org — for science, math or engineering
• The Academic Position Network — daily updates of academic position announcements, as well as graduate fellowships
• Academic Employment Network — a variety of academic positions
• For a more comprehensive list of sites, download the PDF: Websites for Academic Employment for PhD's.

Departments and faculty

Many departments use listserv’s and notifications to inform their students of postings at other schools. Supervisors or other faculty in your department can also be invaluable resources since they can inform you of openings at other universities that they have heard about through colleagues. Spread word of your search throughout your department and make sure to avail yourself of other networking opportunities such as attending conferences.

Academic associations

Joining an academic association is a great way to network, and usually access additional job listing services. Use the Associations Canada directory to identify relevant organizations (available in the Career Resource Library).

University directories

To identify which schools offer programs in your area of expertise, use directories such as the Directory of Canadian Universities and Peterson’s Graduate Programs (both available in the Career Resource Library). You can then follow up with the individual departments regarding potential opportunities.

Getting Ready to Apply?

When considering work opportunities, take the time to research the institution and the department. This not only gives you an idea of whether you would be suited to work there, but it will also arm you with some background knowledge to help you write your application and prepare for an interview. For further assistance on interviews and applications, read the CV and Academic Interview & Job Talk guides in My Career.