ACADEMIA APPLICATION MATERIALS

Letters of Recommendation

While most industry positions require 3-5 references, academia applications may ask for 2-5 letters of recommendation written by professionals who can speak to your skills, abilities, and experiences. Choose individuals who know you well: professors, advisors, mentors, supervisors, etc. Ask them via email or in person if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. If they agree, provide them with your CV, the position description, and any other documents you think would be helpful for them to review. Make sure to give them plenty of time to write the letter, and keep them updated throughout the process. Writing thank-you notes to them after accepting the job offer is an excellent way of showing your appreciation.

Research Statement

Most applications will ask you to produce a document stating your current research interests and findings as well as plans for future research. Include details about how your research contributes to the field as a whole and any recognition you have received (grants, publications, awards, etc.). This statement should clearly articulate the value you would bring to the department as a researcher. You can use field-specific terminology, but keep in mind that this may be read by individuals outside of your discipline and should be clear and comprehensible. Aim for around 2-4 pages and single-spaced, but consult with faculty in your department for norms in your discipline.

Teaching Philosophy/Portfolio

Why are you passionate about teaching? What approach do you take to teaching? How do you motivate and engage students in the learning process? What are your expectations for yourself and for your students? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself when writing your teaching philosophy statement. Take time to reflect on your values, beliefs, motivations, and goals as an instructor and have a trusted faculty member review this document. This document is typically 1-2 pages and single-spaced. You may also be asked to include a teaching portfolio which provides examples and outlines of your teaching.

Following Up

After submitting job materials, we might feel as if we do not have the right to follow up to check on the status of the process. It is important to recognize that the hiring process does often take a lengthy amount of time, however, if you have submitted your materials, it has been an appropriate amount of time and you have not heard back, you can certainly reach out. While you are advised to do so only once, following up is a great way to show your continued interest in the role. Below is a sample email on how you could follow up to inquire about a submitted application: