“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
–Nelson Mandela
Shortly into joining my graduate program, I fell in love with teaching. By the time I’d neared the end of my studies, I knew that I wanted pedagogy to lie at the heart of my academic career. While applying to teaching jobs, I dedicated months to meticulously crafting application materials, navigating the intricacies of first-round and on-campus interviews, and grappling with a whirlwind of uncertainties. I worried about whether I was selecting the right positions, whether I was overlooking potential opportunities, whether I was prepared enough, what I could be doing better. It was a period defined by both excitement and apprehension, and when I was ultimately offered a position that aligned perfectly with my interests and abilities, I was over the moon.
Reflecting on my journey of finding a lecturer position, I can identify a number of “tips and tricks” that might be helpful to other passionate educators navigating the job market. Applying for a full-time lecturer (sometimes called a teaching professor) position demands strategic preparation and a keen understanding of the process. Despite prevailing misconceptions, these roles can provide considerable respect and security akin to tenure-track roles. To navigate this journey effectively, you have to stay mindful of deadlines, organize opportunities, and prepare for virtual and on-site interviews. Below, I’ve outlined a few essential steps towards a successful application, interview, and ultimately, a seamless transition into your new position.
What is a Lecturer Position?
Unlike visiting assistant professors or adjunct teaching roles, which place focus on part-time or temporary appointments designed to fill specific teaching needs, lecturer positions are full-time employment positions within an academic institution that assign teaching responsibilities with little to no expectation of research or tenure-track commitments. These positions often require full-time teaching loads, and lecturers are often expected to supplement their teaching with service activities that contribute to the broader academic community.
When Planning to Apply for a Lecturing Position
The first step when planning to apply for a lecturer position is to conduct thorough research into the availability, requirements, and expectations of lecturer positions at different institutions. After identifying possible opportunities, preparing application materials and staying ahead of deadlines can start your journey off on a great foot.
- Know where to start. Job boards like HigherEdJobs and the Academic Jobs Wiki can be a great springboard to finding relevant open positions in your field, and application sites like Interfolio’s Dossier can help you gather your applications and documents in one place. Engaging with colleagues within your department can also be beneficial; they may come across job postings that you haven’t encountered. The position I ultimately accepted was brought to my attention by a member of my dissertation committee who was familiar with my professional interests.
- Remain time-conscious. Hiring for the next fall cycle can start as early as August. Begin preparing application materials well in advance, noting cycle timelines and due dates. Talk to those in your discipline if there are specific deadlines you should know about.
- Do your research and streamline opportunities. Compile a list of desired positions, including deadlines and required documents, to optimize readiness for each application. Actively research potential employers; consider your fit and whether their mission, values, and academic culture align with your interests and goals. Concentrate efforts on roles aligning closely with your interests and career aspirations.
- Prepare your documents. For most teaching positions, you’ll need a CV, cover letter, diversity statement, and teaching statement. In addition, many positions offer opportunities to submit additional documents, such as student evaluations, teaching certifications, or example syllabi.
- Write a tailored cover letter. Tailor your CV, cover letter, and teaching portfolio to highlight relevant experiences and qualifications; in your cover letter, mention why you are a good fit for the specific position and institution you are applying to. Convey your genuine enthusiasm for the teaching role, and be sure to dispel any misconceptions about viewing it as a secondary option to a research or tenure-track position.
- Secure recommendation letters well in advance. Give your recommenders as much time as possible to craft compelling endorsements. Be candid with your recommenders about the approximate number of positions you are considering applying to and provide any relevant documents that may help them write more-tailored and impactful recommendations. In addition, consider selecting recommenders that can highlight different aspects of your competency—your advisor, any colleagues with whom you’ve co-instructed, or faculty with whom you’ve served on committees are great committee members!
Preparing for a First-Round Interview
First-round interviews can be compared to speed dating; you and your search committee each have a short amount of time to determine goodness-of-fit. Even though these are brief, there are plenty of opportunities to stand out as an applicant, and to provide the best chance at moving forward in the candidate pool.
- Seek clarification about the position. This is your first opportunity to seek clarity on the position's responsibilities, expectations, and evaluation criteria.
- Briefly highlight your qualifications. Articulate your strengths and experiences, and emphasize your fit for the role. Up until now, your search committee has only known you on paper.
- Show your enthusiasm. Demonstrate excitement for the role and try your best to exude energy during your interview.
- Keep answers concise. Your responses should be brief yet comprehensive and should address all parts of a question effectively. If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to follow up with your interviewer to ensure you’ve adequately answered their question.
- Follow-up. Within a few days of your interview, reach out to your interviewers to express gratitude for their time and to reaffirm your enthusiasm for the position.
Prepping for the Illustrious On-Campus Interview
Receiving an invitation for an on-campus interview is like getting a golden ticket—it signifies that you’ve been identified as a top-tier candidate with potential alignment with the position’s goals and requirements. I remember the nerves kicking in when I was invited to my first campus interview, feeling like I had to impress everyone and prove that I was the perfect fit. However, I was reminded that these interviews are mutual—at the same time you want to show up as your best self, the folks on the other side of the table are also trying to sell you on why their position rises above others. By treating the on-campus interview as a two-way, mutual experience, I was able to shake off my nerves and focus on being myself.
- Dress comfortably. You’re likely going to be spending an entire day (or more!) in interviews and lectures, so choose attire that exudes professionalism while prioritizing comfort. Consider factors such as weather and understand that you may be responsible for a fair amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket.
- Be authentic. Present yourself genuinely; allow your unique personality and strengths to shine through. When I was interviewing, a colleague was kind enough to remind me of the importance of being authentic, noting that the right position would value the genuine me.
- Do your research (again). Familiarize yourself with your interviewers ahead of time. You might be interested in talking about their research, their teaching experiences, their backgrounds. They will have questions for you, but it’s always appreciated when conversations flow naturally. After receiving my itinerary, I spent some time in the days before my interview looking at the online profiles for individuals with whom I would be speaking and noting a few potential questions or talking points I had for each. This really facilitated a two-way conversation and ensured we never ran out of things to chat about.
- Demonstrate respect. Interact with interviewers as peers and show them you can have meaningful exchanges. Remember, if you are hired, you will become their colleague.
- Know what you want to know. Prepare relevant and tailored questions that demonstrate your interest in the position, institution, and academic community. Dedicate time towards talking about the surrounding area, logistical details, benefits, and other pertinent information to ensure you have a well-rounded understanding of the role.
Preparing a Mock or Guest Lecture
During the final stages of interviewing for a position, you will be called upon to demonstrate your skills and experience. In research-oriented roles, candidates are commonly tasked with presenting on their research endeavors; teaching positions, on the other hand, focus on pedagogical ability and experience. Expectations often entail delivering a mock lecture on a topic relevant to the position you are interviewing for. Despite the inherent stress associated with this aspect of an on-campus interview, I think it can be the most enjoyable opportunity for candidates to showcase their competencies and personalities. Ensuring your preparedness can mitigate stress and allow you to shine brightly in this pivotal moment of assessment.
- Seek guidance. Request pertinent resources from the search committee to aid in lecture preparation, such as room setup. If you’re lecturing in an ongoing course, ask to see the syllabus or about what students have learned so far. I found it helpful to ask what material would have been covered before the lecture and what would be covered after—using this material to create “review” and “next-up” slides helped my lecture seem authentic and provided opportunities for informal engagement with my audience.
- Create opportunities for engagement. It can be daunting to conduct active learning in audiences you are unfamiliar with, but doing so will pay off in dividends. Incorporate interactive elements to encourage active learning and audience participation.
- “Teach something well.” I was once given the advice: “You don’t have to teach everything; you just have to teach something well.” Don’t get stuck in the weeds with your content; deliver a concise class and focus on conveying relevant content without delving into unnecessary detail.
- Leave room for questions. Allocate time for questions throughout the class, facilitating meaningful discussions and providing room for clarification after complex topics.
- Gather feedback. Practice makes prepared! Without stressing yourself out, take opportunities to practice your lecture in front of peers or colleagues, and make sure you leave enough time to integrate their feedback into your final presentation.
Looking back on my own journey in pursuing a lecturer position, I recognize how much excitement and uncertainty accompanied each step of the process. Through careful preparation, strategic navigation of the job market, and a genuine commitment and enthusiasm for teaching, I was able to secure a position that perfectly aligned with my interests and aspirations, and I hope that the insights and lessons I gleaned are helpful to fellow educators navigating similar roads with similar anxieties. Best of luck to you as you continue to meaningfully impact the educational experience of future generations.
Jamie Trost is a former postdoctoral/graduate associate in Notre Dame Learning’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence and is now a lecturer in cognitive and psychological sciences at Brown University.