Success in the AAE Job Success in the AAE Job Market: An International Market: An International

Student PerspectiveStudent PerspectiveByBy

Octavio A. RamirezOctavio A. Ramirez

Professor and HeadProfessor and Head

Department of Agricultural Department of Agricultural and Applied Economicsand Applied Economics

QualificationsQualifications Interviewed over 100 applicants for Interviewed over 100 applicants for

faculty positionsfaculty positions Observed reaction to interviewees Observed reaction to interviewees

of about 30 faculty membersof about 30 faculty members This observations, however, are This observations, however, are

still based on subjective still based on subjective assessment and personal opinionassessment and personal opinion

Field(s) of SpecializationField(s) of Specialization Too late!Too late! Demand by field seems to be cyclical Demand by field seems to be cyclical

over time: watch the lag effectover time: watch the lag effect Outstanding economic theory and Outstanding economic theory and

quantitative skills are (almost) always quantitative skills are (almost) always a plusa plus

However, they are often not enough to However, they are often not enough to get you a job: need another field(s)get you a job: need another field(s)

Field(s) of SpecializationField(s) of Specialization Having two fields is a good thing, Having two fields is a good thing,

particularly if they are relatedparticularly if they are related Be careful and explicit on how you Be careful and explicit on how you

present yourself if they are notpresent yourself if they are not If you are marketing yourself as If you are marketing yourself as

Agribusiness, be prepared to make a case Agribusiness, be prepared to make a case and define what you mean by it in and define what you mean by it in relation to your interests and expertiserelation to your interests and expertise

Teaching interests will reveal your Teaching interests will reveal your strengthsstrengths

Application LetterApplication Letter Tailored to the job, institution and Tailored to the job, institution and

department: Explain why you are a department: Explain why you are a great matchgreat match

Address any obvious concerning Address any obvious concerning issues outrightissues outright

Be selective on what you include: Do Be selective on what you include: Do not cram it with details!not cram it with details!

Recommend two pagesRecommend two pages

ReferencesReferences Put a lot of thought in selecting your Put a lot of thought in selecting your

references:references:Major professor is a mustMajor professor is a mustReputation mattersReputation mattersDo not ask individuals who don’t have Do not ask individuals who don’t have

first-hand knowledge of you academic first-hand knowledge of you academic potential potential

Ask that they tailor letter to the jobAsk that they tailor letter to the jobMake sure that they are willing and able Make sure that they are willing and able

to send letters on timeto send letters on time

The InterviewThe Interview Under-dressing = lack of respectUnder-dressing = lack of respect Work on being relaxed and self-Work on being relaxed and self-

confident, but not to appear arrogant confident, but not to appear arrogant and uninterestedand uninterested

Show excitement about your Show excitement about your Dissertation research and teachingDissertation research and teaching

If the job has an extension split, make If the job has an extension split, make sure that you know what extension is sure that you know what extension is all about (and that you are interested all about (and that you are interested in it).in it).

The InterviewThe Interview Be prepared to answer the obvious Be prepared to answer the obvious

questionsquestions Research the institution that you Research the institution that you

are interviewing with and be are interviewing with and be prepared to ask “smart” questions prepared to ask “smart” questions about itabout it

Know the faculty members by name Know the faculty members by name and have an idea of their research and have an idea of their research and teaching interestsand teaching interests

The InterviewThe Interview

Questions related to your job Questions related to your job responsibilities should focus on the responsibilities should focus on the larger picture, not trivial detailslarger picture, not trivial details

If you must, be careful on how you If you must, be careful on how you ask about expectations for tenure ask about expectations for tenure and promotionand promotion

Don’t talk salary or benefits unless Don’t talk salary or benefits unless you are askedyou are asked

For International StudentsFor International Students For international students, in most For international students, in most

cases, verbal mastery of the English cases, verbal mastery of the English language is as important as scholarly language is as important as scholarly qualifications, particularly for split qualifications, particularly for split teaching/research positionsteaching/research positions

Having an accent is not a Having an accent is not a disadvantage as long as you can disadvantage as long as you can communicate properly and clearlycommunicate properly and clearly

For International StudentsFor International Students Be aware of cultural biases:Be aware of cultural biases:

Reserved behavior of some cultures Reserved behavior of some cultures might be interpreted as might be interpreted as unenthusiastic/non-dynamicunenthusiastic/non-dynamic

Show your knowledge and interested in Show your knowledge and interested in issues related to U.S. agriculture and issues related to U.S. agriculture and natural resourcesnatural resources

Emphasize any evidence of proficiency in Emphasize any evidence of proficiency in the classroom, particularly at the the classroom, particularly at the undergraduate levelundergraduate level

SeminarSeminar Make sure that your PowerPoint is Make sure that your PowerPoint is

properly designed:properly designed:It should be an outline of your It should be an outline of your

presentationpresentationTables and figure labels should be legibleTables and figure labels should be legibleShould be able to cover all material in the Should be able to cover all material in the

allotted timeallotted time

Emphasize the relevance of the issue Emphasize the relevance of the issue and resultsand results

Practice until you are ready for a Practice until you are ready for a flawless deliveryflawless delivery

Post InterviewPost Interview Make sure that you send personalized Make sure that you send personalized

thank you e-mailsthank you e-mails If you must, wait for at least one If you must, wait for at least one

month before you contact the search month before you contact the search committee chaircommittee chair

Be careful on how you discuss Be careful on how you discuss alternative employment opportunitiesalternative employment opportunities

Long wait might mean that you were Long wait might mean that you were not the top candidate: Do you care?not the top candidate: Do you care?

Best of Lucks on Your Job Best of Lucks on Your Job Search and…Search and…

Keep in mind that the UGA is/will Keep in mind that the UGA is/will be looking for several be looking for several

outstanding candidates for new outstanding candidates for new faculty positionsfaculty positions