October 11, 2011

I've got an academic job offer: now what?

You've got your job offer - how do you negotiate that first academic position? Research funding? Lab space? How do you make requests without creating tension before you even start your new job? These are the types of questions graduate faculty often hear from their students who have just been offered academic jobs. This presentation will offer insight and suggestions in negotiating the terms of a first job and managing expectations from both sides of the table.

Career Corner 2011

Presenter: Robert Summerby-Murray, dean, faculty of arts and social sciences at Dalhousie University

What to look for in a job offer (14:27)



0:00 - 1:59        Presentation overview
2:00 - 3:49        What basic things should you expect to see in an offer?
3:50 - 5:22        Information regarding your teaching assignment
5:23 - 6:29        Discussion about release time for research
6:30 - 7:17        Ask about expectations for research and service
7:18 - 8:35        How you go about accessing university resources and funds
8:36 - 12:06      The salary scale and collective agreements
12:07 - 14:27    Benefits and pensions

What to look for in a job offer, continued (7:02)



0:00 - 2:48        Logistical expenses (moving, accomodation, spousal employment, etc.)
2:49 - 4:35        The hiring process, from an administrative stance
4:36 - 6:09        Variety of offers
6:10 - 7:02        Academic offers, conclusion

The two different types of negotiators (10:12)



0:00 - 1:20          Different approaches to the negoatiation process
1:21 - 5:46          The reluctant approach, and why to overcome it
5:47 - 10:12        The entitlement approach and why it is bad; finding alternative ways to express unhappiness with a job offer

The negotiation process (13:09)

0:00 - 2:49        You may be the preferred candidate, but respect the process
2:50 - 3:33        How the type of position affects the negotiation
3:34 - 5:58        Who you are negotiating with
5:59 - 9:24        Where do you seek advice?
9:25 - 13:09      Compromising, professionally and personally
 
What to do if things go awry (8:38)

0:00 - 1:31        Practical reasons to not accept an academic offer
1:32 - 4:02        The flexibility of institutions if you've accepted an alternative offer
4:03 - 7:01        What to do if you think you've been dealt with unfairly
7:02 - 8:38        The role of faculty associations and collective agreements

Questions (5:32)

0:00 - 3:02        Provisions for spousal hiring
3:03 - 5:32        Timing for spousal hiring

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Comments on this Article

I listened Prof. Murray's very enlightening talks. I appreciate it and am thankful to him.

I am Ph.D in physics and have more than 15 years of research experience. I recently migrated to Canada seeking for a better future. I applied to many Universities seeking for a possibility by putting cold letters with CV, mostly to Deans or the VP Research. I am sorry to note, there is not even an acknowledgement reply most of the times. I do not understand the reason of such attitude.

Immigration process to Canada is as such highly scrutinized and very authentic one that consumes a lot of time before Canadian authorities gives a decision. I believe it judges on the potential of a person in his or her field. Then why such apathy or ignoring or taking it casually in replying just one or two sentences as a courtesy? Is it possible for Prof. Murray to suggest me one or two things as to how I should approach or what mistakes I should avoid.
Best regards to him,

Posted by Ashok Bhowmick, Oct 29, 2011 12:50 PM

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