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[grendel]

This is possibly a dumb question, but I'd love some advice. I currently adjunct at both a university and a CC, and a full-time position has opened up in the CC in the department where I adjunct. I originally applied for this exact (full-time TT) position last year and it got transformed into a full-time one-year position, for which they hired someone else. I accepted a position as an adjunct within the same department in the meantime, and the HR woman told me I should apply again next year when the TT position opened up again. Naturally, I expect that the internal one-year candidate will be a likely shoe-in for the TT position, but I figure I should apply for it anyway.

Here's my question: How do I word my cover letter? Of course I'll discuss my teaching experiences there, but do I need to run through my whole background in the cover letter again, given that it will probably be read by someone who already knows me? Also, there's no information about the name of the search committee chair on the job listing, so I don't know to whom I should address the letter. I assume it'll be my department chair, but I feel awkward asking him, or even mentioning the open position, given that he's very possibly anticipating hiring the internal full-time candidate. Any suggestions on the best approach? 

[xckrx]

Why not just address the letter to the Search Committee?

[histchick]

Why not just address the letter to the Search Committee?

I've used the "Dear Colleagues" phrase in those instances...

[whynotevolve]

CCs will be primarily (95%) interested in teaching. Your cover letter should talk about teaching 95% of the time. You should only talk about how your research informs your teaching. From a CCs perspective, more teaching experience would be better than a postdoc. However more teaching is not really necessary if you are able to talk in detail about how awesome you were during your previous PT teaching experience and how excited you are about STEM pedagogy. This will may you your interview, but the teaching demo will get you the job.

I've been on maybe 15 CC interviews, and only two required an on-the-spot writing sample. Both were done on a regular computer with MSWord, so yes, there was spell check.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advise ZuZu.  I will structure my cover letter to be about teaching.  Also, the use of MSWord is a great relief.  I am really excited and really nervous about this whole process!  I will keep you up to date on my progress.

[whynotevolve]

This is possibly a dumb question, but I'd love some advice. I currently adjunct at both a university and a CC, and a full-time position has opened up in the CC in the department where I adjunct. I originally applied for this exact (full-time TT) position last year and it got transformed into a full-time one-year position, for which they hired someone else. I accepted a position as an adjunct within the same department in the meantime, and the HR woman told me I should apply again next year when the TT position opened up again. Naturally, I expect that the internal one-year candidate will be a likely shoe-in for the TT position, but I figure I should apply for it anyway.

Here's my question: How do I word my cover letter? Of course I'll discuss my teaching experiences there, but do I need to run through my whole background in the cover letter again, given that it will probably be read by someone who already knows me? Also, there's no information about the name of the search committee chair on the job listing, so I don't know to whom I should address the letter. I assume it'll be my department chair, but I feel awkward asking him, or even mentioning the open position, given that he's very possibly anticipating hiring the internal full-time candidate. Any suggestions on the best approach? 

I would word your cover letter as you would for any job.  It might be someone who knows you who reads it, but it is best to cover everything.  I wouldn't assume that everyone I work with knows all about my experiences.  Good luck with the application process! 

[dr_alcott]

I am ABD, finishing in May, and I am searching out and applying to permanent/tenure track positions at community colleges. I'm focusing on those colleges that offer classes in and want someone who can teach Big Geographic Subfield in my discipline in addition to the usual Whole World Subfield and American Subfield. (How's that for obfuscation?)

I'm sure this is field dependent, but I don't think this is necessarily your best strategy in deciding where to apply. If a CC is already offering classes your subfield, that means it may be someone else's "turf," and that someone is likely to be on the SC. However in my experience, CC's will let faculty develop classes in their subfield IF those classes can fulfill gen ed requirements and IF those classes can attract butts to seats. I think your best bet is to list your subfield as one of you teaching interests AFTER you describe how much you LOVE teaching Intro to Discipline.

II have T.A.ed extensively for American Subfield and have taught independently at my R1 and a SLAC in the Geographic Subfield, and I honestly think I can prepare myself to teach a variety of substantive survey and introductory classes that address both institutional requirements and student needs and interests. So first, if I do get to the point of being asked this, does it make sense to answer a question like, "How would you handle teaching Subfield You've Never Taught?" by saying I would look at the institution's previous syllabi, state course transfer requirements, and recommended texts, review the recent literature in that subfield, and design assignments and select readings that allow students to explore the classic narrative and contemporary questions about that subfield within the framework of the CC's curriculum? That's honestly what I think I would do if I said, "Sure, I can teach that!" and then had a few weeks to get ready.

This sounds perfect.

Second, I worry about not having direct CC teaching experience. However, in addition to a year of independent and nearly four years of essentially independent undergraduate teaching, I have an associate's degree from an urban CC and a bachelor's degree is from a widely diverse and open-admissions regional university where more than 40% of undergraduates attend part-time. Does it sound like I'm reaching to say that this experience helps me to understand the diversity of backgrounds and needs of CC students while also saying that I look forward to continuing to learn how best to serve those students?

Put some version of this in your cover letter. Prominently. This lands people interviews. I recently served on an SC. Many SC members cast aside a candidate's app that appeared to be too "researchy." I was able to convince them to put the candidate back in the "yes" pile when I pointed out that she went to a CC for her AS, which the SC did not notice while skimming the cover letter. This person ended up getting hired.


Good luck!

Chime with Zuzu_.

[autie13]

General question- Do any of you leave the education and work history blank on cc job applications (they all seem to be the same and take forever to fill out) and just answer the required questions and fast forward so you can attach the resume and cover letter?

[seniorscholar]

General question- Do any of you leave the education and work history blank on cc job applications (they all seem to be the same and take forever to fill out) and just answer the required questions and fast forward so you can attach the resume and cover letter?

I would imagine that doing that would risk having your application sent to the "discard" file at once -- online applications (or anything else) that go through a HR department generally have a truly mechanical "don't think, do this, do this, and do that" program attached to them. In other words, the computer program or even the mechanically trained clerical worker doesn't look to see your attached files, it just sees that you haven't filled out the form. No intelligent human need be involved.

[histchick]

General question- Do any of you leave the education and work history blank on cc job applications (they all seem to be the same and take forever to fill out) and just answer the required questions and fast forward so you can attach the resume and cover letter?

I would imagine that doing that would risk having your application sent to the "discard" file at once -- online applications (or anything else) that go through a HR department generally have a truly mechanical "don't think, do this, do this, and do that" program attached to them. In other words, the computer program or even the mechanically trained clerical worker doesn't look to see your attached files, it just sees that you haven't filled out the form. No intelligent human need be involved.

I've never seen an online application system in which education / work history is not required.  Frankly, I'm surprised that one exists! That said, I echo the advice to include it. 

[zuzu_]

General question- Do any of you leave the education and work history blank on cc job applications (they all seem to be the same and take forever to fill out) and just answer the required questions and fast forward so you can attach the resume and cover letter?

Do not leave these sections blank. Don't be a snowflake. :)

Seriously. It makes you look careless at best and snobby at worst. Also, many HR departments won't process incomplete applications. It will really only take you a few minutes. Copy and paste from your resume.  I agree that it doesn't make logical sense, but that's just the way things are, and if you really want the job, you need to play along.

[autie13]

Thank you for all the responses to my last question.  I am very green at applying for positions at community colleges so I will be relying on your expertise quite a bit, so I apologize if any of my questions are....uh...elementary!

I see that many community college positions say "open until filled" rather than having an official close date.
There was one position that was posted last summer and it is still open.  I called HR and they said that indeed,
they have not filled the position.  So I applied.  But then I stopped and thought maybe there was a reason it was still open.

Is seeing that a position at a community college listed as "open until filled" in any shape a RED FLAG?  Or is that how community colleges usually post positions?

I should also specify that I am open to either an admin or faculty position....so I am looking at both of those in my job search and I've found that with either type of position t hey have "open until filled"

[cc_alan]

Thank you for all the responses to my last question.  I am very green at applying for positions at community colleges so I will be relying on your expertise quite a bit, so I apologize if any of my questions are....uh...elementary!

I see that many community college positions say "open until filled" rather than having an official close date.
There was one position that was posted last summer and it is still open.  I called HR and they said that indeed,
they have not filled the position.  So I applied.  But then I stopped and thought maybe there was a reason it was still open.

Is seeing that a position at a community college listed as "open until filled" in any shape a RED FLAG?  Or is that how community colleges usually post positions?

I should also specify that I am open to either an admin or faculty position....so I am looking at both of those in my job search and I've found that with either type of position t hey have "open until filled"

With respect to your example of the job that's been open since last summer, it could be a red flag. The only way to find out would be to get an interview and ask them why they still had an opening. Watch how the members on the react and that will give you some extra information. If they start to look uncomfortable then that would indicate to me that something else was going on. You could also ask questions that might reveal how well people work together.

Otherwise, this might be an HR issue. If they post a closing date and then don't find a suitable candidate, they might risk losing the position or having to go through the entire process of starting the job search again. By listing it as "open until filled", they can stop when they find a suitable candidate.

I'm *not* posting from the admin pov since I'm faculty so if anyone has information otherwise, please post it!

Alan

[drnobody]

Thank you for all the responses to my last question.  I am very green at applying for positions at community colleges so I will be relying on your expertise quite a bit, so I apologize if any of my questions are....uh...elementary!

I see that many community college positions say "open until filled" rather than having an official close date.
There was one position that was posted last summer and it is still open.  I called HR and they said that indeed,
they have not filled the position.  So I applied.  But then I stopped and thought maybe there was a reason it was still open.

Is seeing that a position at a community college listed as "open until filled" in any shape a RED FLAG?  Or is that how community colleges usually post positions?

I should also specify that I am open to either an admin or faculty position....so I am looking at both of those in my job search and I've found that with either type of position t hey have "open until filled"

With respect to your example of the job that's been open since last summer, it could be a red flag. The only way to find out would be to get an interview and ask them why they still had an opening. Watch how the members on the react and that will give you some extra information. If they start to look uncomfortable then that would indicate to me that something else was going on. You could also ask questions that might reveal how well people work together.

Otherwise, this might be an HR issue. If they post a closing date and then don't find a suitable candidate, they might risk losing the position or having to go through the entire process of starting the job search again. By listing it as "open until filled", they can stop when they find a suitable candidate.

I'm *not* posting from the admin pov since I'm faculty so if anyone has information otherwise, please post it!

Alan

CC faculty here, and I agree with cc_Alan. At my school, which is hardly in a metro area, there's never a job posted for long. We have close dates, but by that time they get a couple hundred apps each time around, from what HR told me. CCs are often considered prime jobs for teaching folks, and it does seem to be a red flag. However, if it's in an area they want a specialty that might impact it. My whole state now wants CC instructors to have two teaching fields, and in most parts having or agreeing to get another is a requirement. Also, it could have been a funding fight and they left it up. Apply but proceed carefully.

[amlithist]

At my school, I see that ads are increasingly being posted "OUF/open until filled."  For us, as suggested upthread, it's an internal thing:  if we don't like/hire anybody after we go through the interviews, we have to either "extend the search" or "reopen the search."  The former means those who applied/interviewed in the first go-round retain their same status (either not called, so don't bother reapplying; or, if interviewed, still in contention--though not likely to get hired, but still possible--so tell us if you're no longer interested).  The latter means, everybody starts all over again from the get-go:  no apps or interviews are carried over, and if you interviewed the first time and we call you again, you have to do the entire interview and teaching demo all over again.  In both situations, the ad has to be reviewed by admin and re-run, and sufficient time has to elapse before we can start looking at more materials from applicants.

With the OUF designation, I presume these departments are saying, "we have a pretty good idea that we're going to get who we want pretty fast, but just in case not, we don't want to have to re-run the ad, go through the waiting period (one month--may be a state law, I'm not sure), and all the materials from scratch all over again."

[whynotevolve]

I applied for a potential position at a CC a couple of months ago.  When I applied, I contacted the HR person to ask about when they expect to know if the position will really open.  She said that she had the job request in her hands from the department I wanted to apply to and they were only waiting on the Board to approve the position.  She thought it would take less than a month.  I know that the board has met since this and still no job ad up on the website.  I am wondering how TT job openings get approved at CCs?  I know that there is probably no solid advice you can give about my particular position.  But am curious about what the formites have experienced on this.

Side note: I feel like I am becoming a stalker of this particular job.  I check on it daily and have even searched out when the Board meets, the budget info for the coming year and the salaries and websites/LinkedIn pages of anyone in the department.   Anyone else have this level of obsession?