Each department should designate someone for the role of departmental placement officer: seasoned faculty whose responsibility is to provide doctoral students with the knowledge, expertise, and materials that they will need in preparation for the academic job market.
Placement officers may:
- distribute templates appropriate to the discipline of curriculum vitae, cover letter, research statement, statement on teaching, dissertation abstract, etc., to all students preparing to send applications
- edit and proofread drafts of documents listed above before they are mailed by candidates
- ensure that letters of recommendation are produced and submitted by colleagues in a timely fashion
- review syllabi and other course materials to be submitted by candidates with application
- prepare candidates for mock interviews
- arrange for mock interviews of candidates with department faculty and peers
- prepare candidates for any on-campus interviews
- serve as a resource to interpret and negotiate offers received
