Whether you have chosen to pursue a PhD to gain an academic, research, or alternative position, at the end of the journey, you will be "on the market". When it comes to interviewing, there is no such thing as too much advice when it comes to tips, tricks, and how-tos. 

Here are just a few of our favorite resources. Part 1 is on conference attendance, while part 2 focuses on the job market more explicitly!

Networking at Conferences

Business cards

Having business cards, both physical paper cards and/or digital/electronic cards, is an easy way to help network yourself.

Physical/Paper business cards:

Some universities will provide doctoral students with business cards, but if your university doesn’t (or you don’t want to be beholden to your university’s aesthetic) you can make your own. Canva has options for making and printing business cards, which costs about $21 for 100 as of May 2024. Make sure you bring these with you, and if you want, you can also add a QR code to the business card that links to a professional website or your school profile, for example. Here’s a link for a free QR code generator.

Digital/Electronic Cards

A popular option for electronic business cards is to create a profile with Blinq. Other options include making a QR code and saving it on your phone that links to a professional website. Canva has a free website generator, which can act as a great way to develop a brief professional profile that you can share.

Connecting at Conferences

Try to review the conference schedule and attendance list before the conference. Send emails for coffee dates to faculty and professionals you would like to meet and talk with while there (be bold!)When you do meet with someone, write a reminder to yourself about what you talked about, so when you get home you can recall the conversation. Always remember to send thank you emails!  

Part 2. The Post-PhD Job Hunt

General Resources

Preparing your Students for New Trends in the Academic Job Market—Presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot from Arizona State University, and Dr. Cynthia Franklin from the University of Texas, Austin

Preparing for the Academic Job Market: A Guide for Social Work Doctoral Students and Their Mentors, by Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot from the Journal of Social Work Education, 2019

Videos from PhDs about their experiences on the job market

Vlogging the Post-PhD Job Hunt by Emma Cole

About the video: “Ever wondered what it looks like to do a PhD?  This video is a vlog depicting one day from my post-PhD job hunt, in which I had two academic interviews. The first was in person, and the second was over skype. Watch to see how I was feeling before the interviews, my off-the-cuff reaction after each interview, and a summary of the pros and cons of a skype interview. Come back for part two next fortnight, to hear the outcome of these interviews and more about the job search.”

The Post-PhD Job Hunt Part Two: Interview Preparation, Questions, Outcome by Emma Cole (Youtube Video)

About the video: “This is a follow-up video to the Post-PhD Job Hunt Vlog, providing more details on how I prepared for my interviews, the outcome of the interviews, and the feedback I received”

SSWR GADE Job Market Webinar Series

SSWR-GADE Job Market Webinar Series- Part 1- Winding Pathways to the Tenure Track

This webinar features information about the academic job market, including preparing application materials, interviewing, and negotiating. The webinar will feature four panelists who will share their tips for success on the academic job market in both tenure track positions and other positions that can be later leveraged to obtain tenure track positions. Panelists will discuss how they positioned themselves to successfully move from positions such as postdoctoral fellowships and research scientist positions to the tenure track.

SSWR-GADE Job Market Webinar Series- Part 2- Marking A Difference

This webinar features information on positions beyond the tenure track, including how to prepare for and maximize social work research skills in a range of positions. The webinar features four panelists who share their experiences in positions such as policy research associates, research institute directors, writers, and research professors. Panelists discuss how they employ their social work research skills beyond traditional tenure track positions to make an impact.