Thread by @SarahJacobsonEc

Next at #AEAsmpc!
@Marietmora introduces a panel on the PhD job market, with Waldo Ojeda, @MackenzieAlsto4, and @BreyonWilliams.

Right now, create an account for the AEA online system. Set up a spreadsheet to keep track of jobs. You can share this w other JM candidates in your dept! Set up a website where people can access your materials - be careful about access issues (e.g. Google, Dropbox) for docs.

Keep track of who you know at each school so you can reach out to them when you apply.

Be in constant communication with your letter writers. Share the spreadsheet with them, and learn about their contacts / inside knowledge re the depts.

Figure out how your dept handles letters. It might be through a central admin or the profs individual admin or etc. Learn in advance so you're not freaking out when the letter is due. Don't be afraid to check on whether the letters are in and nudge if not.

Maybe create a special Gmail account that you use for job market correspondence with your letter writers so they can find your messages easily.

Work on your job market talk and get feedback. If you have multiple venues (e.g. different brown bag series in your dept), take advantage of them.

Share your research on #EconTwitter. You may be able to get feedback on your job market paper! Don't be scared that it's not ready for publication; you need the feedback.

If you have an opportunity to present at another school before the job market, it's a great way to do a practice run with lower stakes. It will also help you get your head outside of your own particular dept and navigate the uncertainty of the process.

Have an econ buddy - someone from another dept also in the job market, you can root for each other, check in with questions abt jobs, celebrate successes.

Surround yourself with positive people. (STRONGLY endorse!) Focus on the people who will be lifting you up.
Chill out sometimes. You'll have a lot of stress; take time to bring yourself back down.

Pay attention to who's giving you advice. Where do they come from, have they had the same experiences as you, do they have the same interests. Filter accordingly.

You will get SO MUCH advice. Feedback is great, but take into account biases and perspectives that come with it. Don't let any one piece of advice sway you too much.

There's a ton of randomness in the process - it can eliminate or create an opportunity for you. Don't take everything personally.

You're never going to hear that your paper is perfect. You just have to go with it at some point.

It matters what field you get put in - if the employer sees you as the person who does x, and they feel they need someone who does y, you can't be assumed to be a bad fit.

How many jobs to apply to? 187, 160. CBA for applying to lots is usually favorable. Marginal cost is usually low.
Applying for jobs is a full time job.

How do you choose which jobs? Choose your field identity and apply broadly within those + plus "any field". Decide which job types (academic, industry, govt). Apply everywhere.

What is job market life like?
Summer: working on papers, work on packet, getting website up, etc.
When jobs start posting: start tracking.
Starting in fall some time, basically full time applying: the specific steps for each school. Still working on JM paper.

Later fall: work on job talk while still applying to jobs. Practice for interviews. Work on spiel.
As you start to get calls: research depts you're hearing from.
Winter break: take a break, for real!
Jan: interviews.
Maybe a break before flyouts start (research dept), maybe not.

Feb: flyouts.
Job offer at some point!
Finish dissertation, etc.

As your developing your job market paper, get used to the kinds of questions people will tend to ask and be prepared. Though you may want to pretend you've never heard that question before!

Re dates, most jobs are up by Sept 15; due by Thanksgiving; calls trickle in mostly after Thanksgiving.

For the ASSA interviews, prepare notes in advance about the institutions, including who will be in the interview room. Be nice and smile, make people feel good, keep yourself having fun with the experience.

Try to stand out - remember the ASSA interviewers will have dozens of interviews. Use your notes to make connections with the people in the room.

They're looking at your research, but they also want to know that you'll be a good colleague.

What are the questions like?
Of course about the job market paper.
For more teaching oriented schools, what courses would you like to teach? What challenges have you encountered in teaching? How would you teach topic x?
"Why did you apply to this institution?"

More follow up questions about research - what else are you working on, be able to talk about the pipeline.
In industry: would you be willing to work on a project like x?
Teaching: how would you involved students with your research.

There may also be a pitch session - they want to tell you why you should go there.
Then they'll ask if you have questions. Some people apparently say you shouldn't ask Q's (I disagree!). You can ask general Q's or school specific Q's.

If you're really interested in a school, demonstrate that. Even if it's personal connections. They have to assess how likely you are too come if they give you an offer.

Do employers pay attention to the "signals"? Yes - use it for a place that you want to go but that might think you wouldn't.

There was a pilot system last year for candidates and depts to rank each other after first round interviews and do matching; everyone seems a little skeptical or as least uncertain about it.

What kept you going through the process of working on the job market paper? Deadlines for sharing the work - with your advisor, in a practice job talk, etc. Use a brown bag among students to give each other feedback.

Who should write your letters? If you have a strong relationship with someone outside your school who can write for you, that's nice.

If job market paper is the first thing you should be focused on, what's the second?
Your website - make sure you can be found and the papers can be downloaded. (Clickable is way more important that abstract.)

DO NOT put your files on Google or Dropbox. Government people will not be able to access it.

It's nice if you've already submitted a paper to a journal, even if you don't already have a publication.
If you have an R&R, be prepared to talk about the reviewers' issues in interviews.
Your job market paper really can't already be published.

Co authored job market papers are risky - you need to make sure it's clear that you have ownership of it.

Be prepared for the job market costs, including clothes and shoes. Wear the suit and shoes beforehand so you can feel comfortable in them.
Be aware of the weather conditions for ASSA and flyouts (think about shoes).

Many flyouts also are reimbursement based for flights etc. And it can move slowly. Maybe open some credit cards.

When you get an offer, negotiate on various dimensions. But notice there may be a transition period in which you won't have a paycheck, and perhaps moving costs. Be prepared, but maybe also ask the employer.

How to get "practice flyouts"? Not clear. Some professional connections (including #EconTwitter and conferences). So share your work!