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Welcome!
Please write down:
1. Any job search advice you would like
to share…
2. Questions you would like to have
addressed…
HOW TO CONDUCT AN ADVISING JOB SEARCH
HOW TO CONDUCT AN
ADVISING JOB SEARCH
Alison K. Hoff, Academic Advisor
Jill Parker, Director of Career Services
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW)
NACADA National Conference, Chicago, 2008
Agenda
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A bit about us
Where to start?
 Self-Assessment
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Plan of Attack:
 Document
Preparation
 The Search
 Networking
 Interviewing
 Considering an Offer

References and Resources
A bit about us...
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Alison Hoff, M.A.
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Academic Advisor
Chair of the NACADA Member Career Services
Committee
Experienced Search Chair for advising and career
positions
Jill Parker, M.S., Ed.S., NCC
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Director of Career Services
Career Counselor
Where to start?
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Self-Assessment

Document Preparation

The Search
Self-Assessment

Write down what you NEED (deal breaker) and
what you WANT...
 New challenges?
 Offerings
in doctoral studies? (discounted rate?)
 Supervisory position with more responsibility?
 Establish a new program?
 Work with __________ students?
 Type of institution?
 Others? (e.g., salary? location?)
Document Preparation
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Documents to have prepared
 Resume
 Cover
letter
 Handwritten thank-you cards (Or typed letters,
depending on legibility)
 References: 3-5 (professional and academic)
The Resume
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A resume is a 2D version of you, and it needs to
summarize who you are and what you can do.
The goal of a resume is to get you an interview, not a
job.
Develop one all-inclusive version, cut and paste as
needed
The 20-second rule
View samples on the NACADA Member Career
Services website
Have professionals and mentors review your resume.
The Resume, continued

A resume needs to be:
 Accurate
and professional
 Targeted toward a specific position in a specific
department at a specific institution
 Error-free; have several people look it over before
sending it out
 Simple and organized; full of action verbs
 Quantitative: How many students do you advise?
How many students attended the event? Include
numbers and results.
The Resume, continued
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Parts of a Resume
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Identification information
Career objective: be specific for one job and general for a
posting online.
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Summary statement is optional
Qualifications
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Education (and where to list it)
Experience or employment history (related and unrelated)
Activities, presentations, and leadership roles
Honors/awards
Relevant coursework
National, regional, and state professional association
memberships and related conference involvement
The Resume, continued
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References
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Letters or contact information?
Requested with resume?
Ask first!
Update and notify– send copy of your resume to them and
include specific position descriptions for which you have
applied

Communicate your career goal– it can lead to valuable
opportunities through networking.
The Resume, continued
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Two types
Chronological
 Combination
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Discuss these topics, too!
Retention
 First Year Experience/ Living Learning Communities
 Student learning outcomes
 Assessment
 Experience working with faculty
 FERPA
 Technology experience related to position


Banner, PeopleSoft, AdvisorTrac, DARS, etc.
Plan of Attack: The Search

Do research on schools that have what you
need/want.
 NACADA
offerings
 Networking
(national, regional, state conferences
sessions, committees, lunch, sessions, etc.)
 Postings online at: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu and
click on position announcements
 Postings at the conference booth
 Salary survey online
Plan of Attack: The Search, cont.
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Online Resources (Bookmark all websites)
 www.academic360.com
(links directly to HR web sites)
 www.academiccareers.com
 Student Affairs .com
 Higher Ed Jobs .com
 www.chronicle.com
 Facebook
 University HR web sites
 NACADA online postings
 Other higher education professional associations
(NASPA, ACPA, regional professional associations)
Plan of Attack: Networking
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NACADA conferences (regional, state, national,
summer institute, etc.)
Other professional association conferences
Within the institution at which you currently work
(e.g., on a personal or committee level)
Community involvement
Through Master’s/PhD classes
Facebook, LinkedIn
Internships/volunteering at another institution
Plan of Attack: Interviewing
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Questions to ask your potential employer
 Retention
rate
 Advisor-student ratio
 Strategic plan of office and institution
 Budget growth or cuts
 Campus committee involvement level
 Decision-making level
 Professional development (funds and opportunities)
 Student or academic affairs– relationship between
Plan of Attack: Interviewing, cont.
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Do you need to give a presentation?
 Choosing
a topic wisely
 Using the logo and mission statement
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The Little Things Matter
 Treats?
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Will you be reimbursed for travel expenses?
Take an extra day to see the area if relocating
Be prepared for a day-long interview, if not
longer
Considering An Offer
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How much time is appropriate to ask for in
considering an offer?
Relocation funds**
Request to discuss healthcare plans and
insurance with HR rep
Consider additional expenses (e.g., parking,
commuting, and car insurance)
Cost of living
 www.homefair.com
and www.bestplaces.net
Final Thoughts
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Visit the conference Member Career Services
booth to post openings, or to view postings and
submit a resume
Suggestions even if you aren’t job searching:
 Start
an accomplishments folder
 Update your resume now
 Seek professional development inside/outside your
field
 Stay current in your field, read journals, monitor
current trends, etc.
Final Thoughts, continued
More suggestions even if you aren’t job
searching:
 Find
a mentor
 Always be thinking about your next job
 Offer
to:
 Help teach a class
 Present at a local, state, or national conference
 Take on new projects
 Join listservs and new committees
 Start an accomplishments folder.
References and Resources
ACPA (College Student Educators International)
http://www.myacpa.org/car/car_index.cfm
Chronicle Website
www.chronicle.com/search/jobs/
Academic Careers
www.academiccareers.com
IPFW Career Guide
www.ipfw.edu/career/assets/_files/ACCSCAEERGUIDE07.pdf
Higher Ed Jobs .com
www.higheredjobs.com
NACADA Website
www.nacada.ksu.edu
NASPA (National Association of Student Affairs Administrators)
www.naspa.org/conference/career/index.cfm
Student Affairs .com
http://jobs.studentaffairs.com/#search
Thanks! And good luck!

Feel free to email us with any further questions…
 Alison
K. Hoff: [email protected]
 Jill Parker: [email protected]