Introduction
Are you currently in graduate school, and are you considering applying (or currently looking) for a post-graduate position in computer science?
If so, this site is for you!
This website offers a summary of experiences, insights, and advice—including many personal opinions and accounts—on navigating the job search process for computer science academia and industrial research labs. It contains both general advice as well as detailed accounts of several job searches, including:
- Multiple searches resulting in job offers at top-tier academic research institutions (e.g., CMU, UMass Amherst, etc.).
- Multiple searches resulting in job offers in industrial research (e.g., GrammaTech, Lincoln Labs, etc.).
- Multiple searches resulting in job offers at liberal arts colleges (e.g., Harvey Mudd, St. Lawrence, etc.).
This website is structured as a how-to guide for graduate students. We provide collective advice, quote and commentary from a few individuals, and application materials from many individuals. We sometimes refer to specific authors by name.
Is This Guide For Me?
If you are in graduate school and either on the job market or planning to apply for CS-related jobs, this guide is for you.
However, this guide isn’t just for students currently on the job market! Even if you are are just starting graduate school, the sections on finding job opportunities and application preparation can still be helpful. Your career goals will often inform the choices you make during your doctoral studies, making it important to be aware of the kinds of jobs available to you and what those jobs may value.
It’s also helpful to know what goes into an application package so you can plan ahead. For example, if you’re aiming for an academic career that emphasizes teaching, you might plan for being a primary instructor (“instructor of record” at some institutions) while still a doctoral student. Conversely, if you are most interested in a research-focused career, you might instead choose to bolster your resume with industrial internships. It’s much better to know what to expect and plan ahead than to regret not doing something.
Navigating This Guide
This guide is organized around four major stages of a job search:
This guide also contains example application materials and interview resources that were actually used in real job searches. These materials are tailored for different job types, including Research Tenure-Track positions (sometimes abbreviated “R1 TT”), Research Teaching-Focused positions, Liberal Arts Tenure-Track positions, and Industrial Research positions.
We next briefly summarize each phase.
Phase 1: Finding Jobs
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“What types of jobs exist after CS graduate school?”
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“What can I do in graduate school to prepare for the job I want?”
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“How can I find jobs to apply to?”
As you begin your search, a first step is to think about the types of jobs that appeal to you. We discuss various job opportunities in computer science for students earning doctoral degrees. Then we give pointers for discovering open searches and how to interpret job postings.
Phase 2: Preparing Your Application
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“What do I need to apply to CS graduate jobs?”
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“How should I write my application materials?”
Applications are reasonably uniform across academic institutions, and many aspects of an academic application apply to industrial research as well. We provide high-level guidance to help you start crafting your application materials, along with concrete examples from successful job searches.
Phase 3: Interviewing
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“When will I hear back from my applications?”
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“What does an academic interview look like?”
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“How should I structure my job talk?”
We discuss common activities for interviews and give tips on preparing for questions—both those you’ll need to answer and those you might want to ask.
Phase 4: Making a Decision
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“Which job should I choose?!”
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“How can I negotiate my offer?”
When you reach the stage of considering job offers, it’s time to make a decision. This process can be daunting, and it can be difficult to weigh different factors. We provide guidance on managing overlapping deadlines and negotiating your salary and startup. We also offer words of encouragement as you consider which offer to accept.
Examples of Successful Materials
Successful applicants from past cycles have generously agreed to provide their job search materials. These include CVs, Cover Letters, Research Statements, Teaching Statements, Diversity Statements, Job Talk Slides, and Application Timelines (including Rejections and Acceptances). The portfolios are searchable by tags (e.g., job type, research area, dual career search, etc.). These examples offer practical guidance as you develop your own application.
The job search can definitely be challenging! It can be helpful to remember that every successful applicant was once in your position. We hope this Guide helps you better navigate each stage of the cycle.
About Us
For more information about the authors of this Guide, along with contribution instructions, see our About Us tab. In general, if you have any questions about this Guide, please email Madeline Endres at mendres@umass.edu.