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Overview

Preparing for job applications can be daunting, whether the employer is asking for a one-page resume or a 20-page packet of materials. Join us for Application Materials Day where we will cover strategies for preparing the most common application materials through a variety of bite-sized sessions. Come for any part of the day, and feel free to come and go based on your interests!

Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Materials and Preparation

To make the most of this program, we strongly recommend you bring a job posting (either that you are interested in applying to, or a representative example of a posting you would be interested in applying to) to consult throughout the day. Additionally:

If you want peer feedback on a resume, please bring a draft with you that you can share with a neighbor.

You will have an opportunity to write a new cover letter (based on the job posting you bring with you) and get peer feedback. If you want peer feedback on a cover letter you have already written, please bring a draft with you that you can share with a neighbor.

Schedule

11:30 - 11:40 a.m.: Orientation and get set-up

11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Job Posting Analysis
Applying for a job begins with understanding what the employer is looking for. In this session, we will discuss how to analyze a job posting to inform your application materials preparation.

12:00 - 12:20 p.m.: Resume Primer and Q&A
A resume is a curated list of your accomplishments and background. In this session, we will discuss the purpose of a resume, how to write one effectively, and how to trim it down to just a page or two.

12:20 - 12:40 a.m.: Resume - Guided Peer Feedback
This session is an opportunity to get peer feedback on your resume, guided by an OCPD facilitator. Participation in this session requires bringing a copy of your resume AND the job posting you prepared it for.

12:40 - 1:10 p.m.: Lunch

1:10 - 1:30 p.m.: CV Primer and Q&A
Your curriculum vitae, literally, "the course of your life," is a document often used in research-focused hiring. Join this session for an overview of how CVs are used, how to put one together, and considerations that can inform how you organize yours.

1:30 - 1:50 p.m.: Cover Letter Primer and Q&A
Taken literally, cover letters are the first thing a hiring manager sees when reviewing your application. Join us for an overview of how cover letters can impact how your application is read, and tips on how to write an effective one yourself.

1:50 - 2:20 p.m.: Cover Letter Drafting Session
This session is an opportunity to write a draft cover letter for a position of your choice, with guidance from an OCPD facilitator. Participation in this session requires bringing a job posting that you will write your cover letter for.

2:20 - 2:40 p.m.: Cover Letter - Guided Peer Feedback
This session is an opportunity to get peer feedback on your cover letter, guided by an OCPD facilitator. Participation in this session requires bringing a copy of a cover letter. You can participate in the cover letter drafting session at 1:50 p.m. to produce one or bring one you wrote previously.

2:40 - 2:55 p.m.: Research Statement Primer and Q&A
A statement of your research interests is a fundamental piece of most faculty job applications. In this session, we will cover the purpose and typical structure of a research statement, and strategies for getting support from other experts in your field to write yours.

2:55 - 3:15 p.m.: Teaching Statement Primer and Q&A
Many faculty positions will call for a statement of your teaching philosophy. In this session, we will discuss strategies for writing your statement and tips for making it as effective as possible.

3:15 - 3:45 p.m.: Teaching Statement Drafting Session
This session is an opportunity to write a draft statement of your teaching philosophy, with guidance from an OCPD facilitator.

3:45 - 4:00 p.m.: Q&A
We will hold the final minutes of the day for questions.