Peter Gurry offers nine pieces of advice for the academic job hunt, several of which are quite insightful.
In addition, if you are or will be in this situation, I’d add the meta-comment to not pin all your hopes on getting a “regular” full-time post—whatever that means. Settling into such a position can be a wonderful thing, and I’m deeply grateful for the faculty I’ve joined.
But you might be tempted to think that all will be well once (if only) you reach that point. Yet, in this respect, the search for a full-time post can be one professional equivalent of a Hail Mary.
Instead, consider carefully what you have to offer academically, administratively, etc. and who has a need that matches your expertise. Then persistently work at taking the next right steps to serve those people and institutions.
Professionally, you are “You, Inc.” And the more you look at the higher education market through the lens of You, Inc.’s business, the better you’ll be able to function in it—whatever that means in terms of full-time posts or more creative, entrepreneurial endeavors as higher education undergoes its ups and downs.
