Privilege of the Academic Job Search
Privilege of the Academic Job Search
Privilege of the Academic Job Search
By Rachel Renbarger
September 1, 2020
Summary
Even though many colleges and universities are making changes to career service centers in this time, I wanted to use this space to discuss the privileges I had participating in a job search and ask hiring committees to make changes to traditional hiring practices to move toward a more equitable model.
As is typical, I began my search during the early fall semester, applying to positions from August through January and interviewing from November through February.
From my 60+ applications, I had 10 institutions request initial interviews and then follow-up interviews, with 3 of those institutions requesting on-campus interviews.
The majority of the initial interviews were 20 minutes long, but some wanted 40 minutes.
Some wanted an initial interview and then follow-up video interviews.
If you include that preparation time in the process, initial and follow-up interviews would take another 40 hours or a full week of work.
For on-campus interviews, the preparation time was also spent coordinating dates, hotels, and travel information with office managers.
At the interview stage, committees should allow for alternative formats.
On one occasion, a search committee asked me if I could fly out for an on-campus interview the next week.
Another asked me, while knowing I was at the doctor for flu-like symptoms, if I could interview later that morning.
Reference
Renbarger, R. (2020, September 01). Privilege of the Academic Job Search. Retrieved September 04, 2020, from https://diverseeducation.com/article/189069/