Adjunct candidate #346 of 2,674

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by icecom3, Apr 6, 2013.

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  1. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    I am just curious how many online adjuncts that are currently employed actually got hired by submitting an online application (without being recruited, or being an internal hire, or without knowing somebody at the institution before hand)?

    I have spent about a month filling out applications online, in response to adjunct positions posted on higheredjobs and simplyhired, but feel like it is a waste. These applications are buggy, time consuming, and all I can think about when I fill them out is that they will probably never get noticed in the first place. If learning institutions are like my day-job employer, they post positions online just for equal opportunity fears, but in reality have their own little "hiring preferences".

    I welcome thoughts on any of the below topics...

    - Job search listings versus manually applying at tons of schools
    - Anyone using paper resumes anymore?
    - How to get noticed by those teenaged HR assistants snacking on Doritos
    - Is it still a "who you know" world?
    - Apply at the big online private schools versus smaller community colleges
    - Is a masters degree even enough anymore for undergrad adjuncts?
    - In your opinion, what automatically gets a CV deleted or dismissed?
    - Are there placement agencies for adjuncts?
    - Who do I got to pukk to get an online teaching gig these days?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 6, 2013
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I have taught for 5 different schools online
    1st one - applied online and knew no one
    2nd one - applied online and knew no one
    3rd one - knew someone
    4thone - knew someone
    5th one - applied online and knew no one

    It is a numbers game - just apply to as many of the big ones as you can.

    - Job search listings versus manually applying at tons of schools - look at all the big name schools that offer online programs.
    - Anyone using paper resumes anymore? - Not really
    - How to get noticed by those teenaged HR assistants snacking on Doritos - show experience and include a picture of a bag of Doritos on the CV
    - Is it still a "who you know" world? - no
    - Apply at the big online private schools versus smaller community colleges - Bigger online schools to get experience
    - Is a masters degree even enough anymore for undergrad adjuncts? - yes, depends on the subject
    - In your opinion, what automatically gets a CV deleted or dismissed? - lack of expereience and/or not showcasing the eperience you have
    - Are there placement agencies for adjuncts? - don't know
    - Who do I got to pukk to get an online teaching gig these days? - that is the mystery of the universe
     
  3. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    If you are just submitting applications through the school's online HR portal, your chances of getting hired are slim to none. You need to follow up with contacting those who are in charge of the program where you want to teach in my experience.
     
  4. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I'll tell you what I do when looking for new opportunities with an organization where I have no contact. First, apply using their online application (it's typically required so even if you know someone you're going to have to fill that thing out anyway). Next, I go onto LinkedIn and start looking for employees at the company that are above the role I'm applying for. I will send short notes to two or three of them. Typically someone replies back to me.
    When looking for jobs it's (almost) always a "who you know" situation.
    There are no young HR generalists looking at your resume, there is an HRM software program scanning it for keywords. Best thing to do, short of knowing someone on the inside, is to pull keyword directly from the position description and find a way to incorporate them into your resume. It's a pain to do but you'll find you have better results.
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I've taught for 4 schools as an adjunct.

    I inquired in person for the first one (in the early 1990's). Same with the second. Same with the third. At the fourth, I knew the President of the university. Now I might be lining up a 5th, and it's because I know someone inside who would like to use me.

    I did apply for one school "cold" via the online process at their website. Never heard a peep out of them.
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    S-M-A-R-T. :smile:
     
  7. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    One could always walk into the HR department of the school and demand the job! State very clearly that you earned your degree and are now entitled to the job. :)
     
  8. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member


    I didn't know anyone in this business and at some point in time I was working for 6 schools and 3 were for profit schools (I live in Canada and 3 were American schools).

    My strategy was to keep sending resumes till they got tired of me and replied back with an offer. By the way, it took me a year to get my first gig. You seem to lack patience as you are frustrated only after one month.

    My suggestion is to specialize in technical subjects such as IT, Statistics, Accounting and Finance. There are plenty of opportunities in these areas compared to pure management, arts, sciences, etc.

    There is no conspiracy theory for online adjunct hiring, these are low paid positions that demand quite a lot so the rotation is quite high. You are on call and with no permanent contract. There is no need to know anyone inside, schools hire based on demand of skills, you know the stuff then you get hired. Teaching experience is preferred but not a requirement.

    Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, PMP, etc are always in demand. If you have a masters from a good school with a professional certification, it should be enough to land your first gig. Some schools prefer the PhD but my experience is that people that have PhDs from ranked schools normally don't teach for online schools so the average online school wouldn't be picky about the reputation of the school for your doctorate as long that is RA or equivalent accredited. In few words, if you purpose is to teach online, it might not be a bad idea to get a doctorate but it doesn't have to from Harvard, I discovered few adjuncts with Doctorates from UNISA in SA that are cheaper options that seem to work for adjunct work that won't cost you an arm or a leg.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2013
  9. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    This is all great advise, thanks all!
     

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