Considerations

You will likely be ecstatic when you receive a job offer, but be sure to “look before you leap.”  Pause to reflect on the pros and cons and make a sound decision that you can live with.  The more of the following questions you can answer before deciding, the more peace of mind you will have in the long run.

Salary and Benefits

Research the appropriate entry-level salary in your discipline at both the national and regional levels.  Faculty salary statistics are released every year by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) via the Chronicle of Higher Education.  Faculty salaries are a matter of public record at public institutions.  At U.Va. the Cavalier Daily publishes faculty salaries annually.  You may also inquire with the institution’s office of human resources (as well as with others in the area) if the information is not available online.  If the faculty at the hiring institution is unionized, you may wish to contact a union representative to help you review your offer.

Healthcare and retirement packages are typically standard for the institution, but you should still ask questions regarding benefits, for example:

• Is there a choice between healthcare/retirement plans? 
• What healthcare services are covered (vision, dental, orthodontic, psychological)? 
• When does coverage begin? 
• What part of the premium do employees pay, if any? 
• Does the plan cover a partner or dependents? 
• What are the institution’s family leave policies?
• What other perks does the institution offer?
• Tax-deferred savings plans?
•  Pretax reimbursement accounts for healthcare and childcare costs?
• Fitness center membership discounts?
• Childcare services?
• College tuition support for children? 
• Discounted classes for family?

Terms of the Appointment

Be very clear on the terms of your appointment.  They should be defined in writing. 

• Is yours a 9-month or a 12-month position?
• Can you have your 9-month salary distributed over 12 months?
• Is separate summer support available?  Can it be included as part of the start-up package?
• Is summer teaching an option?

For those whose appointments are divided between departments or duties, be sure that the division of responsibilities is clearly defined (e.g. teaching responsibilities, office location, performance review).

Fit

Reflect on how you felt in the environment during the campus visit and any thoughts or information that may have surfaced since. 

• Does the department seem positive, supportive, and collegial? 
• Are the faculty and students interesting and pleasant? 
• Are the expectations clear and reasonable to you?
• Can you be productive and happy there?

Working Conditions

Will you be comfortable with your day-to-day routine?

• Is your teaching load well-defined and acceptable?
• Are the details clear (e.g. the number of courses each term, the variety of courses in the first couple of years, their typical size and level—graduate, undergraduate, majors/non-majors—support from teaching assistants, etc.)?
• What resources will you have for your work (e.g. office, computer, clerical support)?
• Does the institution have dedicated resources that support teaching/research?
• Will you have summers off for your research and writing?
• Are there opportunities to teach in the summer for extra compensation?
• Is the library adequate for your field?  Will the department/institution approve acquisition of library materials relevant to your research?
• Is your advising role clear?  Will you advise undergraduate majors, honors theses, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations?  If so, how many?
• On average, how many hours per week will you devote to committee work?
• Do you have the option of a semester or two of release time to focus on your research during your first 2-3 years?

Road to Tenure

Is the department/institution invested in your pursuit of tenure?

• What is the process for promotion and tenure?
• How does the department (and institution) define a good faculty member?
• Balance between teaching and research?
• Publication requirements?
• Other standards to recommend tenure?
• What is the department’s tenure rate?  What is the percentage of assistant professors in the department who have obtained tenure?
• Does the department/institution have a faculty mentoring program?
• What support/resources are available for your research (e.g. start-up funds)?  Will these resources facilitate your path to tenure?
• Does family/maternity leave affect the tenure clock?

Family/Lifestyle

Reflect on your comfort with the community, as well as the comfort of your partner or family as the case may be.  

• Would you enjoy living in the community?
• Is the cost of living reasonable? 
• Is housing acceptable (schools, transportation, etc.)? 

If you have a partner, will s/he be able to find satisfying work in the area?