Real World: Job Search #5

…And so it begins

Over the past week or so, I’ve been sending out applications like crazy. The job listings keep appearing every day: through the different placement sites, through Higher Ed Jobs, on the Chronicle, and in different list-serv messages. And the responses are starting to roll in. I have four interviews!

I’m beginning to feel like I’ve got a decent handle on this job search thing. I had to spend some time, though, thinking about what I really wanted out of my first professional experience. And so I made two important decisions: location and position responsibilities.

There are not many parameters to my job search—but I do know that there are certain parts of the country in which I would not flourish. I know that for me, personally, there are certain parts that are entirely more appealing. For example, I would love to work in a big city, like New York or Boston or Washington, D.C.

I guess another limitation on my job search is the area—I’m pretty set on particular functional area. And there are definitely responsibilities I want associated with the position: supervising, advising, professional development, collaboration with different departments, and the opportunity to serve on different institutional committees.

…And that’s it. Those are the two biggest factors that will limit my job search. I’m fairly open to something new, despite the anxiety outlined in an earlier entry. But other than that, I just need to keep on finding jobs, keep applying for them, and keep hoping ☺