You've Earned Your Doctorate in Psychology... Now What?: Securing a Job As an Academic or Professional Psychologist

If you're like many psychology graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early career psychologists, you may be amply trained to conduct research but find yourself stumbling through the process of applying and interviewing for a job. This book will help you transition from graduate education to a career in an academic or professional setting. Each chapter covers a step in the process of applying for and landing a position, with evidence-based guidance where available, practical advice, sample materials, and stories from recent applicants and employers. Preparing to enter the job market requires a multi-pronged approach of networking and developing an application portfolio and interview strategy (both the screening interview and the on-site interview) that showcases your unique qualifications for the position. This book breaks down that process with questions to ask yourself, checklists, and samples of others' work. It also addresses how to: Tailor application materials to the job description and the institution or organization Learn all you can about your potential workplace before you interview Seek out advantageous experience-building opportunities This comprehensive package of up-to-date research and practical amp quot do's amp quot and amp quot don'ts amp quot will help you put your psychology doctorate to work.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction Seeing the Entire Playing Field: Workforce Trends Taking Your Cover Letter to the Next Level Preparing Your Curriculum Vitae Research Statements, Teaching Statements, and Teaching Portfolios Securing Strong Letters of Recommendation The Screening Interviews: Preparing for Success On-Site Interviews and Job-Related Talks Becoming a Great Candidate: The Preparation Appendix: Negotiating and Deciding Among Multiple Offers References Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Elizabeth M. Morgan, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychology at Boise State University. She received her doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2 8. She also has a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on adolescent and young adult social development, with an emphasis on sexual and romantic relationship experiences in the context of parent amp ndash child relationships, peer relationships, and the media. Boise State University is her first academic position, which she obtained directly after finishing her PhD. During the process of preparing and applying for faculty positions, she found herself relying on many different sources for information about how to compile an application and what to expect in her interviews these sources she found to be inadequate. Also, as both a first- and second-year faculty member, she was able to be a part of Boise State's psychology department search committee, reviewing application materials, interviewing candidates by phone, checking references, and hosting candidates on campus. This book was conceived as a result of being on both ends of the process within the span of only a few years.   R. Eric Landrum, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Boise State University. He received his doctorate in cognitive psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. His research interests center on the educational conditions that best facilitate student success (broadly defined). He has given over 28 professional presentations at conferences and has published 7 books or book chapters and over 7 professional articles in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. He has worked with over 275 undergraduate research assistants and taught over 2,5 students in 2 years at Boise State. During the summer of 2 8, he led a working group at the National Conference for Undergraduate Education in Psychology, studying the desired results of an undergraduate psychology education. Eric is the lead author of The Psychology Major: Career Options and Strategies for Success (4th ed., 2 9) and also authored Undergraduate Writing in Psychology: Learning to Tell the Scientific Story (2 8) and Finding a Job With a Psychology Bachelor's Degree: Expert Advice for Launching Your Career (2 9). He is a member of APA, Fellow of APA Division 2 (Society for the Teaching of Psychology), and served as Division 2 secretary. He teaches general psychology, statistical methods, research methods, psychological measurement, and a Capstone course in history and systems in psychology.  

Review :
amp quot Excellently balancing informative detail and easy-to-read structure, this book should be required introductory reading for all new graduate students in psychology, as well as an invaluable job search resource for those close to completing their degree. amp quot -PsycCRITIQUES amp quot This step-by-step road map to landing a post-PhD position provides a highly readable combination of data-based information and 'from the trenches' personal advice. It offers comprehensive coverage of each aspect of the job search with specific suggestions on what to do and what to avoid, plus a multitude of clear examples. This valuable resource should be on every graduate student amp rsquo s reading list! amp quot -Elaine M. Justice, PhD, Professor, Psychology Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA