ABSTRACT
You would be wise to start preparing for your job search about the same time you put your dissertation committee together. Begin studying rhetoric and composition job ads in the Chronicle of Higher Education and Modern Language Association’s Job Information List to get a sense of what sorts of positions are out there and how they are defined. You’ll also find rhetoric and composition job ads on the same listservs, blogs, and websites that routinely post conference CFPs. H-Rhetor and WPA are particularly good about posting job ads in our field, as is the Rhetoric Society of America website (www.rhetoricsociety.org). Begin studying candidates, too. Departments that are hiring often invite one or two graduate student representatives to be part of the search committee; if your own department happens to be hiring, ask them to consider appointing you as one of the student members. Go to the candidates’ job talks and other open presentations to get a sense of how each one approaches the situation, making note of things they do that you’ll want to emulate and/or avoid when you’re in their position. During hiring season, your department may hold workshops on writing application letters and dissertation descriptions, and on putting together a curriculum vitae and/or teaching portfolio; it may also hold mock interviews for students going on the market for the first time. Attend as many such sessions as you possibly can, as it will give you a good sense of what to expect very early, which should make the entire process less anxiety-producing when the time comes.
