CHRISTINE HUBBARD, PH.D.PRESIDENT

NORTH TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONSORTIUM

Making the Cut and Thriving at a Community

College

Before You Begin

Set Yourself Up for SuccessCraft a CVCreate a cover letter templateIdentify referencesControl your online image

Create a Linked In account Clean up other public-facing accounts

Making the Cut

Step 1: Search for Positions Higher Ed Jobshttps://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/

Chronicle of Higher Education Vitaehttps://chroniclevitae.com/job_search/new

College HR siteshttps://jobs.tccd.edu/http://www.dcccd.edu/Job/Pages/Job.aspxhttp://www.collin.edu/hr/employment/http://www.nctc.edu/HumanResources.aspxhttp://www.grayson.edu/college-info/employment-opportunities.aspx

Making the Cut

Step 2: Follow DirectionsComplete the online applicationAttach all required documents

Transcripts Cover letter CV Teaching Philosophy

Meet the deadline Unless the position states “open until filled” the

college probably cannot consider you if your application is not complete by the stated deadline

Making the Cut

Step 3: Present Your Best SelfTake your time completing the online application

Capitalize and punctuate appropriately Check for typos

Craft your supporting documents carefully Appropriate format Consistent font Correct grammar/spelling/punctuation

If these materials don’t show competence, professionalism, and attention to detail, what will your teaching materials and interactions with students be like? How will you represent the institution?

Making the Cut

Step 4: Understand the PositionUnderstand Community Colleges

Local mission Open access Multiple student goals Growth mindset Focus on teaching and service

Read the position description carefully Qualifications Experience Responsibilities

Craft your cover letter and CV to match that description

Making the Cut

Step 5: Know Your AudienceRead the college website

Know its mission, vision, and strategic plan Know its current initiatives (Achieving the Dream/QEP

etc.) Know its programs

Know the courses offered Know its students

Look at its fact sheet outlining student demographics

Making the Cut

What HR needs A complete application All supporting materials to complete hiring process

Official transcripts ESSENTIAL

What a department needs Subject matter mastery Skilled teaching Growth mindset (for students and self) Positive demeanor Flexibility “Low maintenance” Independence

Making the Cut

Step 6: Pass the Paper CutThe hiring committee will complete a paper cutApplication complete (all materials included?)Rubric rating of essential/preferred

qualificationsReview of cover letter/CV

Making the Cut

Step 7: Preparing for the Department InterviewThe department chair or dean will contact applicants who make the paper cut to offer interviews Format

Teaching demonstration Usually provided topic; sometimes provided materials for use in demonstration The interview committee is your class—provide a real teaching demonstration, not

a meta-class Interview

Committee will include department faculty and sometimes department administrative assistant and dean

Questions structured and consistent for all interviews Be ready to ask questions

What are you hoping the new faculty member in this position will be able to bring to the department?

What are the major projects you are currently working on? Could you describe your department culture? What would a typical day at your

college look like?

Making the Cut

Step 7: Preparing for the Department Interview, cont’d.Be early

Plan your drive Find your room Arrive in time to collect yourself

Be prepared Teaching demonstration

Presentation Handouts

Be professional Dress professionally

It’s always appropriate to be overdressed Act professionally

Your emails, phone calls, and interactions with the department assistant matter

Making the Cut

Step 8: Follow Up After the InterviewSend the hiring manager (department

chair/dean who has been your designated contact) a “thank you” email Direct it to the hiring committee Thank them for interviewing you Mention specifics State your interest in the position and institution

Be patient

Making the Cut

Step 8: The Second Interview (Final Three Candidates) Depending on the college, second interview may be with the dean,

vice president, president, or a combinationFormat Interview

Dean/VP/president will already have the recommendations made by the interview committee and all materials

Dean/VP/president assumes candidate is qualified (content mastery/qualifications have already been verified); is looking for a good fit for the institution Growth mindset (for students and self) Positive demeanor Flexibility “Low maintenance”

Will be thinking long-term Will this person be a potential department chair/fill a specific need? Is this person likely to stay at the institution? Do they seem likely to be difficult/trouble later on?

Making the Cut

Step 9: The OfferIf selected, the hiring manager will contact the candidate to

offer the position Candidates have been recommended by department and confirmed by

upper administration Usually finalists are ranked

If the first candidate does not accept the position, it may be offered to other finalists who are also confirmed, so be patient

Sometimes only one finalist is confirmed, so if that person declines the position, it must be reposted and a new group of applicants sought

Salary negotiation is rarely possible Colleges have fixed salary schedules based on education and experience

In the business world, this may be the time to haggle for more money, but an attempt to negotiate here will not be successful and may sour the institution’s relationship before you even begin working there, so research the college’s salary schedule, read the position information carefully, and don’t apply if you aren’t willing to take the position for the salary listed

Thriving at a Community College

The First Year Department culture

You will probably have little choice about your class assignment and schedule Department had a need to fill, and you are there to fill it

Some colleges assign schedule based on seniority; others don’t Some rotate assignments to particular courses/formats; others don’t

Listen and learn Determine ways you can contribute to the department Follow department culture

Syllabi Course content/delivery Student interaction

Campus culture Join committees Attend events Say “yes” to every opportunity

Thriving at a Community College

The First Year, Cont’d.Your reputation

Be early Turning in grades At department meetings Submitting requested materials

Be prepared For your classes For your meetings For your committee work

Be professional Dress professionally Set a good example