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[MLA type]

Along with this year's round on the US job market (MLA), I have applied to a few Canadian schools, but am now wondering how the rest of the procedure is like. Do Canadian schools hold screening interviews like US schools (and where), or do they only do campus visits? What is their timetable usually like? I noticed their application deadlines were the same as for US schools, but am wondering about the rest. The schools themselves (like in the UK, where I have also applied) are not very forthcoming with information, and have in a couple cases not even acknowledged receiving my application.

[%sig%]

[Charles II]

My experience is that Canadian unis don't typically hold screening interviews, but invite the 2-4 short-listed applicants to on-campus interviews.

Regarding Canadian universities being not-forthcoming with information, I'm not sure that they're any different than American universities in that regard. (U.S. schools are more forthcoming with information about how the job search is going and always send out acknowledgements? Not in my experience.)

[not Canadian]

I can't answer the question, but how's this for the last time of a Canadian job ad:
Candidates visiting Carleton are encouraged to bring their skates or skis (but only in winter).

Do they take candidates skating/ski-ing after their job talk?!

[ottawan]

not Canadian" Carleton is right on the Rideau Canal. there is a great skating rink on a lake not far away and also great ski trails. Great for post and pre-interview relaxation! And if you like skiing, that is one of the great perks of Ottawa. the Gatineau Park across in quebec has superb trails.

[a canadian]

It depends on the school. Some departments do screening interviews by video link. I have found it rare to have phone interviews.

[Brianrietta]

Ottawa is a beautiful city. If you are skating on the canal, ask your hosts to take you for a "beaver tail". (It's a tasty pastry with cinnamon and sugar, not the actual tail from a beaver).

[not Canadian]

The Carleton job is sadly not my sub-field because with that line in the ad it does sound very tempting.  I have applied to some jobs in Canada and one is in Ottawa ... after reading your comments, Ottawan and Brianrietta, I am even more keen ... let's hope I get a campus visit!

[anon canadian]

My school holds screening interviews at MLA and then flies three candidates to campus.
The on-campus interviews are much shorter than the ones in the US  -- a short day without extended social events.

For campus intervews, do make sure to dress warmly and wear decent walking-in-snow boots/shoes. Female candidates slithering around in high heeled dress shoes look really silly and are at a serious risk of falling/getting injured.  Especially candidates from the southern US should make sure not to give the impression that they'd leave after the first winter.

[a canadian]

Anon canadian, your advice is useful in some parts of Canada, but, for example, right now the prairies are not snow bound, and neither is the maritimes; and vancouver/victoria get only rare snow every winter. One year at christmas, whitehorse was warmer than Tampa!

I remember as a kid seeing cars from the US in July with skis on board; and one year I took a postcard of our winter festival, complete with igloos and showed it to people in the US. People thought snow ends at the border all year round! This stereotype is furthered by US Tv stations talking about the Alberta Clipper..a winter storm that sweeps out of Alaska!

[anon canadian]

> Anon canadian, your advice is useful in some parts of Canada,
> but, for example, right now the prairies are not snow bound,
> and neither is the maritimes;

Just had our first snow in TO -- but you're right, it's not precisely
all of Canada!

> I remember as a kid seeing cars from the US in July with skis
> on board; and one year I took a postcard of our winter

Glacier skiing at Whistler in the morning followed by white water
canoeing in the afternoon -- a perfect summer vacation!

[a canadian]

Yes, but this was in the Canadian prairies and the American cars were not headed for the mountains!

[future canadian?]

where can one find out salary data for  canadian universities? all these tips very useful ! thanks!

[Charles II]

Many Canadian universities publish salary scales on their websites if you look hard enough. Usually you'll get some kind of minimum and maximum for each rank, but your placement on the grid is dependent on you experience and negotiating skills. Also, tenure is a relative breeze at almost all Canadian universities - it's just not a big factor like in the U.S. Jobs are competitive in Canadian universities, but once you're in, you're generally protected. Even in the top Canadian universities - U of T, McGill, UBC, Queen's (which is fading fast), and Alberta - tenure denial is rare (and the system seems to work, American nay-sayers).

[MLA type]

Thanks for all the info, it's definitely useful. Another thing I was wondering about was spousal hiring. Does anything like it exist in Canada ? I heard it's not so easy finding work at the moment in Canada, and although my husband is ready to look for something on his own, his job prospects (or lack thereof) would definitely be a major consideration.

[%sig%]

[a canadian]

Each university has a faculty association or union, so the contracts are available online at the faculty union website. just find out the name of the faculty union and there you go.

future canadian? wrote:

> where can one find out salary data for  canadian universities?
> all these tips very useful ! thanks!