The Interfolio Blog

Especially in the humanities this year, job seekers have struggled with a bleak market and are having to make serious changes to their applications and job search processes in order to adjust for the demands of a tighter market.

Just this week, a detailed report from the American Historical Association's annual meeting reveals that history majors are struggling to strike the right balance between highlighting their research and teaching experiences, and talking about their particular fields of interest without seeming too narrow in the scope of their studies.

This trend is changing though, and at the AHA meeting this week, many liberal arts professors reminded job seekers that in institutions where teaching is key and departments are small, the emphasis on research and niche studies - in the cover letter, dossier or portofolio - does not differentiate a candidate so much as it eliminates them from consideration.

This brings up the argument for more personalized and specific applications. While the application process is already quite time-consuming, more emphasis on unique cover letters that fit their needs will result in a higher likelihood of actually getting an interview. While research institutions still look for research-heavy applications, community colleges and four-year liberal arts institutions do not. Expecting the same cover letters and application materials to work for both would be a mistake.

How can you tailor your application more closely to the schools you apply to without taking way too much time? Think about ways to streamline the application process. Obtain and use electronic copies of documents, letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. The documents can then be quickly and easily grouped and sent to different institutions. For example, you may have some written work that is more appropriate for a teaching institution that a research school. Being able to quickly and easily change the documents you use for applications will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend compiling each application. The same can be said for recommendations and other supporting materials.

For more thoughts on the changing job market and how applicants are addressing these changes, read the Inside Higher Ed piece on the recent AHA conference, there are some great thoughts in there for job seekers. And as always, let us know how we can help to support your needs as you consider or use Interfolio for your application process.