CV for teaching schools

[oops]

Hi all,

I've applied to a range of schools and have two very different cover letters depending on whether they are research or teaching-oriented. For some reason I didn't think to create two different copies of my CV, so the one I've been sending out has stated my research accomplishments first. Despite my heavy teaching experience (have taught nine courses) and having received a couple major teaching awards, I've heard nothing from teaching schools. I'm now wondering whether my CV is partially to blame. Any thoughts on this?

[wisdom teeth]

I think you answered your own question!

[rrr]

Teaching schools might also be moving later in the year, relative to research intensive.

[good question]

i've actually had people at slacs and some lesser known teaching intensive schools tell me not to change up my cv (it was a teaching conference and near unanimous agreement). but i'm in a similar position and am starting to wonder about that advice.

[not sure]

I'm wondering why individuals at teaching schools would advise you not to change your CV. How much of a difference do people think the organization of someone's CV has to do with whether they're considered to be "serious" about a teaching school?

[good question]

that was kind of the point...

[trick]

Without going into details, there are better ways to frame yourself for a teaching vs. a research institution. I had a great advisor that helped me structure my CV for different types of positions, and yes, I've gotten really good results. Here is something to think about... some search committee members (I'm guessing that this is most but have no "data") get bored at reviewing so many applications so they skim applications. If your relevant information is "hidden", it may end up in the "maybe" pile or even worse. Sure you are the same person no matter how you present yourself (that's probably why you got the advice that it doesn't matter), but remember that people are often overworked in our profession. Just a thought though... what do I know ;)

[savoir faire]

When you put your research before your teaching in a CV, it sends a signal as to how you view yourself. (Also, I think the 'tired search committee' issue is important - don't hide your strengths!) If they're looking for a teacher, put your teaching experience before your research in your CV. I've seen teaching CVs for junior faculty that don't have research or grants begin until page 4.

I know someone who wasn't having much luck seeking teaching positions, only getting temporary visiting and adjunct positions for several years. Like most/all of us, he was coming from a graduate program that emphasized research and that was first on his CV. He revised his CV to show his teaching experience and got a lot more attention and landed a job in a desirable city. This was a couple of years ago, when the market was beginning to tank, but I think getting someone to look at your CV would benefit you.

[crap]

I wish I would have done this a bit better. I re-ordered the paragraphs in my cover letter, but didn't think to do the same to my CV.

[teachfac]

I'm a faculty member at a teaching-oriented school, and I'd agree that the order of the items on your c.v. says something about how you view your career trajectory.

Listing publications before teaching says "I'm really a researcher and am applying for this job because I can't get anything more research-intensive.-- or I'm desperate for any job I can get."

Listing teaching first (ideally starting on the first page somewhere) says that you value teaching and see that as a central (or THE central) activity for you.

A lot of very productive researchers get passed up by teaching-oriented schools because they are perceived as not valuing teaching to the extent that the job demands. It's true that such places are increasingly valuing research, but not to the detriment of quality teaching. I've found that my colleagues pay much more than lip service to the importance of quality teaching.

[alsoteachfac]

I'm also faculty at a teaching oriented institution, but I have to disagree with the above poster. At our institution, we certainly do value teaching and have lots of conversations about pedagogy, but we also want faculty to be productive researchers who create a name for themselves in their subfields.

If we saw a CV that listed teaching before publications, I think we would laugh. Certainly it could signal that you know the job you're applying for, but there are better ways to do that, e.g. in your cover letter.

But this may play differently at different institutions. I'm at a highly selective LAC, and other teaching oriented institutions may feel differently. My advice would be to try and find CVs of the faculty at the institution and order it similarly to what they do.

[ohh]

Thank you all for your input. I think the difference in views shows how variable this whole process is, which is a bit frustrating!

[yes and]

Just wondering what folks at teaching-intensive public schools would think?