Graduate Student Job Search Tips
Non Academic Job Search
As a grad student, you have a very specialized set of skills and knowledge that make you valuable to many organizations. However, because of this specialized skill set, it can be especially difficult to find job leads using online search tools.
Networking is critically important for graduate students looking for positions in industry. Be sure to:
- Join professional associations for your industry and attend related events.
- Meet with professionals in your field and ask them for job search advice.
- Research employers that hire individuals with your expertise and contact them directly to inquire about jobs.
- Review professional journals and publications for job leads.
As a grad student you might not feel comfortable talking to faculty about pursuing a career outside of academia. Please note that the Career Center provides confidential job search assistance to help you reach your goals. To schedule an appointment, call 612-624-2710.
Academic Job Search
The academic job search process differs from a job search in industry in several ways:
- Applicants are expected to submit curriculum vitae rather than resumes.
- An academic cover letter is often longer and more detailed than a traditional cover letter.
- A teaching philosophy and research statement can often be required parts of the application.
- Interviews can be several days long and include several presentations, often known as your “Job Talk” (For tips on what makes a good job talk, visit Acing the Academic Job Talk).
The Center for Teaching and Learning’s Preparing Future Faculty Program, has extensive resources on the above areas for grad students. To learn more, visit the Academic Job Search of their web site. Additionally, the Graduate School offers many career workshops for graduate students each semester.
Popular Academic Job Posting Sites
Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs Section
Academic Keys
Academic 360
International Academic Job Posting Sites
Academic opportunities in England.
Academic openings in England, powered by indeed.com.
Academic openings in England, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Academic positions in Canada.
Canadian Association of Fine Arts Deans
Academic openings in Canadian fine arts institutions.