Thanks to two tenured DWC members for their responses to this newsletter’s questions!
Question 1: My research is focused on crime, violence, and law enforcement that targets or pertains to women of color and LGBTQI populations. I’m on the market and am finding that search committees are framing me as a sociologist who focuses on those populations but NOT as a sociologist who is a crim scholar. In other words, I’m being framed as a race and sexualities scholar despite publishing in and reviewing for crim outlets. My teaching experience is in sociology and it’s not likely I can get teaching experience in crim courses due to a lack of opportunities within my university (male students got those opportunities but that’s another story) and there are no nearby teaching opportunities either. What can I do to change this pattern so that I am a viable candidate for crim positions? How can my job materials help committees see me as a crim scholar?
Answer 1a: Publishing in well-respected criminology journals is the key to being identified as a criminologist, although experience teaching criminology courses is also very important. Are you teaching other courses that could be adapted to include criminological content? If so, make sure to indicate in your application letters how you are incorporating criminologically relevant material into those courses. If not, you might indicate ways in which you could adapt the courses to be more criminological, and also what courses you would like to teach, even though you do not yet have experience teaching those specific courses. So even without experience teaching specific criminology courses, if you can demonstrate strong teaching evaluations and a publication record within criminology, you should be able to make a good argument for your ability to teach in this area. Finally, be sure to identify current and future research plans in your application letter.
Answer 1b: Open up the program guide for the last ASC meeting – there is a tremendous diversity in what is considered to be criminological scholarship! What types of criminology positions are you applying for? If your work focuses on crime, violence, and law enforcement that targets or pertains to women of color and LGBTQI populations, and the department to which you are applying is seeking a different type of scholar, then you are unlikely to be selected as a candidate, no matter which journals you have published in.
One thing you might want to think carefully about is whether you WANT to be hired by programs searching for criminologists specializing in other areas or by programs who do not see your work as “criminological”. What kinds of courses do you want to be teaching? Do you want to be teaching a full load of courses not in your area? Do you want to be in a department that does not necessarily consider your research to be “criminological”? The pre-tenure years are stressful enough without trying to fit into a position that isn’t you or a department with colleagues who don’t consider you to be a “criminologist”. Talk to your DWC colleagues about departments (and perhaps other disciplines) that may be a good fit for you. Good luck!
Question 2: How can I get interview experience without putting myself out there and burning bridges because I don’t interview well? How can I get better at interviewing?
Answer 2a: I suggest asking your mentors if they would conduct a mock interview so you can gain practice. At a minimum, you want to present your job talk to one or more of your mentors so you can get feedback (first, practice in front of a mirror). I would also ask your mentors what questions they ask job candidates, and think about how you might answer those questions. You also could talk with colleagues who recently obtained jobs and ask them about their experiences—both what went well and what they wish they had done differently.
Answer 2b: If you only think about the interview as a whole, it may be daunting to try to improve your interviewing skills. Brainstorm (or ask your colleagues) the elements of interpersonal communication that would translate into a good interview – establishing rapport, actively listening to others, being comfortable talking with others, staying on topic/staying focused, asking questions, humanizing yourself in a professional manner. Then try to develop one skill at a time. How might you practice establishing rapport? Actively listening to others? Staying focused? If you choose one skill at a time, it will be easier to improve your communication skills. After you tackle your communication skills, start thinking about how to interview. What questions would you ask someone who would want to conduct research or teach at your institution? Asking colleagues and friends who have served on search committees is helpful here – they may even be able to give you the questions they asked candidates they interviewed. Things that you will most certainly be asked include describing your research interests and teaching clearly and concisely (I was told to have a 10 second, 30 second, and 2 minute summary of my research memorized), identifying your strengths as a teacher and scholar (and recognizing your weaknesses), and talking about plans for future research. Friends who have recently been on the market can also share with you what they were asked during their interviews (and how they answered them). If your department is making a hire, ask to be part of the search committee so that you can read through job applications, see interviews, and learn what committees are looking for. Finally, when you feel comfortable, schedule mock interviews – the only way to get better at interviewing is to practice! At these mock interviews act (and dress) like a job candidate.