Thread by @ndrewwhitehead

I don't have PhD students going on the market, but if I did, here's some of what I would tell them after serving on a dozen search committees, reviewing hundreds of applications, and sitting thru dozens and dozens of job talks, breakfasts during the interview...

Cover Letter: Make it 1.5 pages. No more than 2. Have others read it, ESPECIALLY someone (at least 1 person) who is not a social scientist. If they think parts of it are boring, they're right. Cut the jargon. No typos. No crazy-long paragraphs. Strong lead sentences.

Cover Letter cont: Use it to highlight your accomplishments, point us twd other parts of your packet. Here's the key: CONTROL THE NARRATIVE. You should tell us exactly why you're awesome/perfect f/ this position and how literally everything you've done supports that fact.

Cover Letter cont: Do not, and I can't stress this strongly enough, DO NOT assume those reading your letter will automatically 1) know WHY what you've done is great and 2) why you'd be perfect f/ the job/position.

Cover Letter cont: Example: Give context f/ why the journals you've published in are incredible (everyone knows ASR, very few publish in it - help me understand why your sub-field's journal is great).

Cover Letter cont: Understand these are busy people who don't specialize in your sub-field. They are balancing this committee w/ trying to publish, teach, serve on other committees, care f/ their spouse, take their kids to school and practice, and plan dinner that night.

Cover Letter cont: The easier you make it for them, the better. Again, control the narrative. Tell them the story of you and why you and your work are going to 1) make the dept look good and 2) cause them little/no issues from date of hire to promotion.

Job Talk: Start creating your job talk now. Literally today. Have it completed by the end of July, practice it daily all thru August. Have that thing memorized. Know it inside and out. Anticipate questions, then prepare. Practice in front of colleagues.

Job Talk: Use some sort of visuals, and MAKE SURE THEY ARE SPOTLESS & PERFECT. Consistent headings, font size, use of figures/graphs, pictures. Nothing is more annoying than inconsistency in visuals. No long paragraphs of text! No huge tables filled w/ coefficients!

Job Talk: It shows me something when you include duplicate figures, or misspell words, or change font sizes or how the headings progress. Again, make it EASY f/ everyone to follow along & understand your work. They are hiring a colleague, show them you are attentive to detail.

1 on 1 interviews: Prepare ahead of time. Learn names & faces from the website. Learn areas of study, perhaps even peruse a recent article. Have questions ready for them. People love to talk about their own work. So let them! Be genuinely interested (or at least fake it).

1 on 1 interviews: Have questions you ask of everyone or most. Compare their responses after you leave (def. don't point out to 1 person how they answered differently than their colleague(s) - this happened. It's not endearing).

1 on 1 interviews: I feel like I learn at least as much or more about an interviewee from the questions they ask me than the answers they respond w/ to my questions. So put some thought into it. And usually people are happy to share about life/working at this school.

1 on 1 interviews: And unless you know for sure you don't want to work there, don't share weird stories like how you like to drink (this happened), or how you're just not sure if this place is good enough for you (this happened).

General interview thoughts: Be ready and on time for everything. If someone is coming to pick you up to walk you to whatever, be ready to go before they get there. Don't make anyone wait for you.

General interview thoughts: Again, they are hiring a colleague. I want my colleagues to be on time, dependable, kind, generous, attentive to detail. Everyone who gets an interview is going to have the research/teaching chops.

General interview thoughts: What matters now is fit & how well you answer the questions, "Do I want to see you consistently for the next 5-10 years?" "Will you pull your research/teaching/service weight around here?" "Can I trust you not to make this department a living hell?"

General interview thoughts: And after you leave, send an email message of thanks. These are the things that make working with people enjoyable. So show them you can be one of those people.

General interview thoughts: And finally, not getting a job you apply to or interview f/ says sooooooooo little about you (unless you don't do what I've recommended above 😀). There are so many moving parts to this, & weird stuff happening behind the scenes...

General interview thoughts: So much stuff you have little control over. It's amazing anyone gets hired, ever. So maximize your efforts on the stuff you CAN control! Then be assured you did your best and you're a great person. Not getting a job does NOT make you less than.

Final thoughts: Take care of yourself. It is a stressful time. But exciting. Stay connected w/ your partner/spouse or close friends. Don't neglect your hobbies or stress-relieving activities. Treat yourself once & awhile!

And if you need encouragement, reach out!