By: The Capella University Editorial Team
Reading Time: 5 minutes
If you’re interested in postsecondary teaching, start by reviewing current job postings, identifying the degree and experience each role requires and building application materials that demonstrate subject knowledge and teaching ability.
Four tips to prepare for a postsecondary teaching career
The Capella University Career Development Center recommends the following tips for preparing for a postsecondary teaching job search, including full-time, part-time, traditional campus and online teaching roles.
1. Get the proper education
Education requirements for postsecondary teaching vary by subject, institution type and position. Community colleges and some adjunct roles may require a master’s degree, while many full-time faculty positions at four-year institutions require a doctorate. Choose a degree in your teaching field, then review current job postings to confirm each position’s requirements.
2. Identify and connect with potential employers
Start by identifying institutions that offer programs in your field. Review current faculty job postings on university websites or on sites like higheredjobs.com. Compare the degree, subject-area experience and teaching requirements for roles that interest you. Then connect with faculty and other higher education professionals to learn about the institution and its hiring process.
Specific steps you can take include:
- Participate in professional groups for educators, including informal ones on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook.
- Ask people in your network who teach in higher education whether they would be open to an informational interview. Prepare questions about the institution, the student population, the department’s teaching needs and its hiring process.
3. Demonstrate your qualifications in your application
Faculty application requirements vary by institution, academic discipline and position. Follow the job posting closely, because each institution sets its own application and interview requirements. Application requirements for faculty positions may include:
- Cover letter. Your cover letter for a teaching position should reflect that you understand the purpose and mission of the educational institution, as well as the student population.
- Curriculum vitae (CV). A CV is used in lieu of a resume when applying for positions in academia. There are several differences between a CV and a resume, but one key difference is that a CV always begins with your educational background, followed by your experience.
- Reference list. Names of references are generally not included in your CV. If requested, provide a separate page that lists contact information for your references.
- Statement of teaching philosophy. This statement explains your approach to teaching, how you support student learning and how you see your responsibilities to students.
- Statement of research plans and expertise. This document gives you an opportunity to highlight your areas of expertise, as well as describe how you plan to contribute to the body of knowledge in your field. These statements are generally one to two pages and should describe your research goals for the next three to five years.
- Dissertation or other professional writing sample. You may be required to submit a writing sample. Select something that reflects your ability to write in an academic style, rather than an informal or literary style. Everything you submit while applying, including a writing sample, is an opportunity to showcase your communication skills.
- Official transcript. Colleges and universities generally require a fee for processing an official transcript. Unless instructed otherwise, you may want to submit an unofficial copy of your transcript in the early stages of the application process and wait to submit an official copy until it is requested.
- Teaching portfolio. Include evidence of successful teaching, such as sample syllabi, summaries of course evaluations, presentation handouts and letters of recommendation from former supervisors or colleagues. For online or part-time teaching roles, include examples that show online course delivery, digital communication, assessment and student support if the posting requests them.
- Video of your teaching or an in-person presentation. This is an opportunity to demonstrate subject expertise and teaching skills. A teaching demonstration may be presented to a hiring committee or delivered in a classroom with students. Prepare to explain your lesson goals, activities, assessment approach and how the lesson
4. Ace your interview
Interviews for faculty positions are likely to be lengthier and more intense than other job interviews. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:
- Know what you’re getting into. Request as much information as possible about the institution’s interview process in advance and prepare for each step accordingly.
- Do your research. Review the institution’s mission, the department’s priorities, its student population and the research or teaching interests of the faculty. Prepare specific examples that show how your experience fits the role.
- Practice, practice, practice. Rehearse answers to likely questions about your teaching approach, research fit and experience with the institution’s students. For a teaching video or in-person demonstration, practice explaining the learning objective, engaging students and assessing learning within the time provided.
- Remember your manners. An academic interview can extend through a full day and include meals or receptions. Maintain professional etiquette in formal meetings and informal conversations, since each interaction may inform the hiring decision. Send prompt thank you notes to each interviewer after the visit.
Finding a job in academia can seem like a full-time job in itself. Follow these steps to make the process more manageable and prepare for the postsecondary teaching position you desire.
