So now is the messy-time with searches. For those who went to TPE they might be already inviting to campus or not yet able to invite to campus. Some are waiting until ACPA interviews to decide on campus invites. Some aren't bothering with ACPA placement and candidates here have missed out. Some don't yet have confirmed vacancies and have to wait until they do. You see- it's messy- for us, and for you. Have patience, it all starts to sort out over the next few weeks. In fact, as the domino effect kicks in and those current RD's who are applying for next-step positions start to get those jobs and resign from RD positions, we employers get to bring even more candidates to campus! This process can take a few months- and some of our best RD hires have come in June or July. So trust me when I say- things will work out, it just takes patience.
That said- some advice from this end for on-campus interviews and considering your future:
1) DO not accept an on-campus offer from a school you have no intention of working for. It wastes our resources and wastes your energy. It's not fair to us or to other candidates to take one of our valid campus spots if you already know that we are not the place for you.
2) Be selective- not desperate. Do not say yes to places just because you are feeling worried that no one else will want you. Be selective- this is a two-way street! You choose us as much as we choose you. So be choosy. Yes- going on campus can indeed help you decide if a place is right for you- but if you already know, campus is unlikely to change that. Consider what your "gut" tells you- and ask your closest friends/partner/family- when they heard you talking about XXX institution, how did you sound? Elated, excited, enthusiastic? Great!! Bland, monotone, talking yourself into it? No way!!
3) Navigate the process of when you go to campus carefully. Some campuses can do rolling offers, some cannot. Ask- we'll tell you (for the most part) and you'll want to consider that when timing your campus visit. If given the option- don't be the first to campus. Don't go right after your comprehensive exams (if you take them) or thesis defense. Do NOT serve on-call the night before you go on an interview- switch with a colleague! Respond quickly to our calls or emails- we might move on to other candidates in the meanwhile and you could lose out. If you interviewed with us at TPE, or are interviewing at ACPA- and YOU decide you are not interested in us any more, please do us the favor of telling us and withdrawing from our search before we call to offer you a campus visit.
4) Remember-you are "on" as a candidate from the moment you leave your house. Consider what you wear on the plane/train/in the car on the way there- you never know who you'll come across in your travels and you want to look professional-casual. You also never know when your luggage might get lost- try to do only carry-ons if you can so your clothing and toiletries are in hand on the plane! If you do have to check a bag, know that what you wear on the plane might be what you end up wearing to interviews if your bag gets lost.
The conversations you have, even if on the phone and "overheard" by those nearby- could also help or hurt your candidacy. If you are on the phone telling a friend that you are coming to XXX institution but aren't really excited about it and are using it as a practice school- you never know who might be around to hear you and drop a quick call to tell us that's how you feel. I have cancelled an interview with a candidate on-site because they told the shuttle driver they thought they could never live here, and the shuttle driver happened to be an RA in our department and told us what the candidate said. I checked in with the candidate, they admitted it, and we canceled and sent them right back home.
5) Bring any handouts, laptops, flashdrives or other materials with you on the plane- do NOT check them!!! Do NOT count on there being a copy machine anywhere near you once you arrive. Bring extra copies of your materials, and have any presentation saved in multiple formats. Some of us are very understanding, others of us are not so much. Coffee stains on handouts do happen- if you have extras then you are set, if you don't- you are explaining them away.
6) Remember to relax and truly be yourself. The campus interview is a time to show us more of who you are, for real- because hopefully the "real" you is who will come work for us, and I'd rather see that real you at the interview than two months later when you start work. If you are an introvert- show us that- in all the strength of the introvert! If you are a little liberal and funky- show us that too. You want us to choose the whole you, not the interview-you, show us and tell us who that "you" is and the process of mutual selection will continue to be successful for you.
7) Do NOT tell us how passionate and committed to Social Justice you are. Someone from TPE tweeted something that basically said "Oh- you're committed to social justice, let me introduce you to 1000 of your new best friends"...you get the idea. This is today's version of "I'm a people person". So don't tell us that you are committed- tell us what you've learned, done, and how you incorporate issues of justice and inclusion into your every day life and work. If you don't have that yet- spend the next few weeks before you graduate thinking about that and developing skills and answers to that question.
8) Be ready to ask us great questions- and have enough questions prepared to ask some of everyone you meet. We get it that by the end of the day all your questions have been answered, but, if I ask if you have any questions and you say "no"- it puts a small seed of wondering in my head. At the very least ask every person you meet why they chose to come to XXX institution AND then ask them what keeps them there. Ask them things like- if you could change a few things to make your work more meaningful what would you change? If you could do a few things that would enhance the experience of your students what would you implement/do? Ask questions that get people talking about them- these are your future colleagues and you should be choosing them as much as they are choosing you. You can't be choosy if you don't know anything about us.
9) Relax, have fun, and when given a campus tour ask them to show you one or two hidden gems of the campus that people don't typically know about until they work there. Is there a greenhouse or arboretum, an amazing mural in a lounge somewhere, an archive in the library, an art museum...what's special there- what are they proud of and what does this campus value? That's what you will start to find out.
Enjoy the experience- and good luck!
The Employer
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
TPE On-site advice
If you are here in Philadelphia for TPE, here are a few things to consider:
1) Placement is laid out in a very strange manner- the candidate and employer waiting rooms and your mailboxes are a fairly far walk (and escalator ride) from the interviewing area. Give yourself time, and don't walk it too often in the hopes of finding something in your mailbox.
2) Be careful with your feet. Yes, I mean it. Hurting feet from new-ish shoes or walking more than you are used to in said shoes can really take a toll on your experience. Soak them at night, give yourself a gentle foot rub mid-day, and just consider ways you can protect them a bit while you are here.
3) There are lots of places to shop, eat, relax- find them. Don't everyone cram into the Market for each meal! You don't get to relax while you are there (recall from my previous post that you are "on" every moment). It is convenient, fun and there are lots of options, this is true. It is also true that there is much this city has to offer if you walk a street or two away from the convention center. Find the other good spots, sit down, relax and allow your body time to eat in peace.
4) Relax and don't get caught up in the competition that seems to arise among candidates. Don't tell anyone how many interviews you have and when they are. It isn't going to help your candidacy, and it isn't going to help your frame of mind. Last night while checking in I overheard so many candidates comparing their interview numbers! Some of the best people I know were intentional and selective, did maybe ten interviews- and landed the job of their dreams. You'll be better if you avoid the competition, avoid the intensity, stay focused and be selective!
5) Take a chance on a school that reaches out to you. Not all employers do it- search through resumes looking for excellent candidates- but some do. If an employer you never considered before invites you to interview, consider it. You never know when your best opportunity might drop into your mailbox- don't turn it down until you've at least thought it over and maybe done a first interview. Take the same chance on us we are taking on you. I have indeed overheard candidates speaking poorly about schools who solicited their application. Poor form, and rather closed minded. Be open to possibilities these next few days, and, stay true to yourself as well. If you are truly geographically limited then say no to that school across the country from where you want to be.
Good luck on Day 1!
The Employer
1) Placement is laid out in a very strange manner- the candidate and employer waiting rooms and your mailboxes are a fairly far walk (and escalator ride) from the interviewing area. Give yourself time, and don't walk it too often in the hopes of finding something in your mailbox.
2) Be careful with your feet. Yes, I mean it. Hurting feet from new-ish shoes or walking more than you are used to in said shoes can really take a toll on your experience. Soak them at night, give yourself a gentle foot rub mid-day, and just consider ways you can protect them a bit while you are here.
3) There are lots of places to shop, eat, relax- find them. Don't everyone cram into the Market for each meal! You don't get to relax while you are there (recall from my previous post that you are "on" every moment). It is convenient, fun and there are lots of options, this is true. It is also true that there is much this city has to offer if you walk a street or two away from the convention center. Find the other good spots, sit down, relax and allow your body time to eat in peace.
4) Relax and don't get caught up in the competition that seems to arise among candidates. Don't tell anyone how many interviews you have and when they are. It isn't going to help your candidacy, and it isn't going to help your frame of mind. Last night while checking in I overheard so many candidates comparing their interview numbers! Some of the best people I know were intentional and selective, did maybe ten interviews- and landed the job of their dreams. You'll be better if you avoid the competition, avoid the intensity, stay focused and be selective!
5) Take a chance on a school that reaches out to you. Not all employers do it- search through resumes looking for excellent candidates- but some do. If an employer you never considered before invites you to interview, consider it. You never know when your best opportunity might drop into your mailbox- don't turn it down until you've at least thought it over and maybe done a first interview. Take the same chance on us we are taking on you. I have indeed overheard candidates speaking poorly about schools who solicited their application. Poor form, and rather closed minded. Be open to possibilities these next few days, and, stay true to yourself as well. If you are truly geographically limited then say no to that school across the country from where you want to be.
Good luck on Day 1!
The Employer
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Don't say no to opportunities too soon!
No kidding- this one deserved a special little post of it's own. A candidate applied to us less than two weeks ago. Our search committee just met in the past few days and finalized our list of candidates we want to interview at TPE. We made contact with those candidates and invited them to schedule with us. Not an unusual way of going about this endeavor.
Today I received an email from a candidate letting me know how disappointed she was that we took so long to contact her, that clearly our institution didn't move quickly enough for her and that she was withdrawing from our search because she had already been contacted by so many other employers who were clearly more interested in her.
Now- I get it that some of you feel really confident about your candidacy. I understand that someone probably advised her to take this approach in her search. However, please remember that every employer has their own procedures to follow, their own processes, their own preferred approaches. Some of you might not be contacted until you arrive at the placement conference and if you haven't left yourself some time for those opportunities that come close to or while on site, you might just regret it.
Trust the process- and don't say no too quickly!
The Employer
Today I received an email from a candidate letting me know how disappointed she was that we took so long to contact her, that clearly our institution didn't move quickly enough for her and that she was withdrawing from our search because she had already been contacted by so many other employers who were clearly more interested in her.
Now- I get it that some of you feel really confident about your candidacy. I understand that someone probably advised her to take this approach in her search. However, please remember that every employer has their own procedures to follow, their own processes, their own preferred approaches. Some of you might not be contacted until you arrive at the placement conference and if you haven't left yourself some time for those opportunities that come close to or while on site, you might just regret it.
Trust the process- and don't say no too quickly!
The Employer
Let the great adventure begin- from the moment you pack your suitcase!
It doesn't need to be said, yet it needs to be said- you are "on" from the moment you pack your car, pack your suitcase, step foot from your current place of residence and head out for a placement conference. We in student affairs are everywhere, and we don't always wear our profession on our sleeves (ok sometimes we do but not always!) and you never know who that person is you exhibit road rage toward as you drive down the highway headed to Philadelphia, or Baltimore. We are at rest stops, airport lounges, restaurants along the way. We are on your train, your flight, your shuttle to and from the airport. In short- we are everywhere, we are listening, and you just never know who you'll find across from you at your next interview table.
You are ON from the moment you pack your suitcase. Don't forget it, don't slip up, don't assume such familiarity that you drop your professionalism. Do take breaks off by yourself, do find the public library and tuck into a corner to relax alone, do walk through an art gallery or museum- find time to refresh your inner self, rebuild your patience stores, and reflect on everything that is happening at full speed around you.
Think very very carefully about your consumption of alcohol- we see it, rumors spread like wildfire, and you do not want to be the person everyone is talking about the next morning.
Interview teams are given lectures about not talking about candidates anywhere other than at their tables or behind closed doors. You should follow the same practice. I can't tell you how many times I've visited someone in the candidate lounge and heard horrific and immature commentary from candidates about the places they just interviewed. I don't care how fashion forward you might be- don't you dare comment publicly on the attire of an employer or interview team! I've also overheard candidates telling each other who their "safety schools" are, and in once case it was my previous institution and I had no problem letting that institution know not to waste their time any more on that candidate. Lesson learned? I do hope so- don't talk about us publicly and we won't talk about you.
Do not be afraid to look at a nametag- believe me, we are too.
Do not pretend to remember us if we act like we know you- ask us to remind you of who we are, it happens to all of us.
Do not get caught up "selling yourself" so much that you forget what is authentically you and sell a package that is fake- we'll figure it out nearly as fast as our students will if you come to a campus interview.
Do not forget that this is a small small professional world- we know each other, we talk to each other, and if you fib a little about your experiences or how hot you are as a candidate- we find that out too.
Do bring your whole, real, true self. We want to interview YOU- not your supervisor or mentor, not who you hope to be someday- the you who you are today.
And remember- that YOU who we want to get to know, is the you who is on- from the moment you pack your suitcase.
The Employer
You are ON from the moment you pack your suitcase. Don't forget it, don't slip up, don't assume such familiarity that you drop your professionalism. Do take breaks off by yourself, do find the public library and tuck into a corner to relax alone, do walk through an art gallery or museum- find time to refresh your inner self, rebuild your patience stores, and reflect on everything that is happening at full speed around you.
Think very very carefully about your consumption of alcohol- we see it, rumors spread like wildfire, and you do not want to be the person everyone is talking about the next morning.
Interview teams are given lectures about not talking about candidates anywhere other than at their tables or behind closed doors. You should follow the same practice. I can't tell you how many times I've visited someone in the candidate lounge and heard horrific and immature commentary from candidates about the places they just interviewed. I don't care how fashion forward you might be- don't you dare comment publicly on the attire of an employer or interview team! I've also overheard candidates telling each other who their "safety schools" are, and in once case it was my previous institution and I had no problem letting that institution know not to waste their time any more on that candidate. Lesson learned? I do hope so- don't talk about us publicly and we won't talk about you.
Do not be afraid to look at a nametag- believe me, we are too.
Do not pretend to remember us if we act like we know you- ask us to remind you of who we are, it happens to all of us.
Do not get caught up "selling yourself" so much that you forget what is authentically you and sell a package that is fake- we'll figure it out nearly as fast as our students will if you come to a campus interview.
Do not forget that this is a small small professional world- we know each other, we talk to each other, and if you fib a little about your experiences or how hot you are as a candidate- we find that out too.
Do bring your whole, real, true self. We want to interview YOU- not your supervisor or mentor, not who you hope to be someday- the you who you are today.
And remember- that YOU who we want to get to know, is the you who is on- from the moment you pack your suitcase.
The Employer
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