What does it mean to have a successful job search in higher education? Take a look at Bruce Feiler's four rules for success and how they apply to higher ed professionals.
Author Biography
Justin Zackal
Justin Zackal is a communication professional who has contributed to HigherEdJobs since 2011 with articles about career development and the job search. He's worked at five institutions during his career in higher education, helping faculty, staff, and administrators share their stories. He is currently the associate director of university marketing and communication at Slippery Rock University. Follow him on LinkedIn.
By This Author
Aug 22, 2025
Choosing a career can be broken into a few steps. Consider 1) the lifestyle you want, 2) the tasks you want to do, and 3) what community you want to join.
HigherEdJobs
Jun 2, 2025
One job search coach is encouraging job seekers to instead call themselves job shoppers, but it goes beyond semantics. Here's a look at how she believes job seekers and job shoppers differ and how "shopping" can serve you better.
HigherEdJobs
Mar 27, 2025
Flipping your job search inside out and breadcrumbing people may sound peculiar and messy, but together, these tactics will help set you up for success when you eventually apply for a position.
HigherEdJobs
Jan 3, 2025
Here's a glance at how AI is changing the job and talent search, as well as some do's and don'ts for job seekers when it comes to using AI.
HigherEdJobs
Dec 5, 2024
Regardless of whether you're slowing down or ramping up on submitting applications during the holiday season, it's an excellent time for informational interviews.
HigherEdJobs
Nov 25, 2024
Rather than raising valid concerns to an employer, unhappy employees oftentimes secretly apply to other jobs and let their departure speak for itself. Here's why you should try speaking up first.
HigherEdJobs
Oct 4, 2024
If you want to be successful in academia, you may want to consider the principles of "slow productivity," a term coined by author and Georgetown University computer science professor Cal Newport.
HigherEdJobs
Aug 7, 2024
Candidates often make the mistake of rehearsing their answers for interviews. Instead, try working on these five tone-enhancing approaches.
HigherEdJobs
Jul 2, 2024
How are colleges and universities supposed to improve employee retention when they continue to ask employees to do more with less? A simple "Thank you" might help.
HigherEdJobs
Jun 7, 2024
While applying for jobs requires some self-promotion, exactly how much hype should you bring to your application materials or interview?
HigherEdJobs
May 28, 2024
The Summer Olympics are just weeks away. It's doubtful that any serious competitors are just now starting to train. The same thinking should apply to your academic job search.
HigherEdJobs
Jan 11, 2024
Higher education professionals are often resistant to change, but it is inevitable. Knowing how to survive and thrive in its midst is a far better approach than simply reacting emotionally.
HigherEdJobs
Nov 9, 2023
When it comes to managing your career, you also can't have it all. You have to make choices or tradeoffs. According to one model, there are three areas you can focus on in your career -- which will you pick?
HigherEdJobs
Sep 13, 2023
A recent microsurvey of employers by HigherEdJobs indicated that 96% of employers still check references. Consider these best practices regarding your job references.
HigherEdJobs
Aug 14, 2023
If you're moving into higher education administration, you need a compelling reason to share. Here are some of the top reasons for moving to administration. What's yours?
HigherEdJobs
Jun 21, 2023
Semester breaks are great for collective restoration among higher education professionals, but it's equally important to have your own work rhythm (beyond the academic calendar) to cool down every so often.
HigherEdJobs
Jun 1, 2023
Behavioral interview questions are popular because they give employers a glimpse at how candidates might handle future situations and help to gauge potential performance. Here's how you can prepare.
HigherEdJobs
May 10, 2023
If you are experiencing discontent at work, a resolution will require self-advocating. For the best results, your self-advocacy should have these three characteristics.
HigherEdJobs
Apr 17, 2023
Career changes often need an on-ramp. Consider these ways to start working your next job while maintaining the status quo.
HigherEdJobs
Feb 9, 2023
Is your resume or CV helping you secure interviews? If you think it could use a tune-up, consider these rapid-fire 10 do's and 10 don'ts.
HigherEdJobs
May 2, 2022
Are you looking to pursue a better job title? Are you doing work that exceeds your current job title? Check out some tips on how to build your case for a promotion and how to prepare your materials. At the end of the day, remember to prioritize your happiness over a job title.
HigherEdJobs
Mar 5, 2021
When writing resumes or CVs, too many people take the list-building approach, says one expert. However, when hiring managers spend an average of just 7.4 seconds in the initial resume screening, a smarter approach is focusing on your results and achievements. Use these tips as a guide to follow a less-is-more approach.
HigherEdJobs
Jun 18, 2020
As a job applicant, there is no doubt you've thought about following up with a potential employer at some point. However, the following thoughts may have also crossed your mind: Is it acceptable to follow up? How soon is too soon? Who should I contact? The answers often depend upon your reason for following up and how you go about doing it. Consider these rules of thumb next time you're tempted to send a follow-up note.
HigherEdJobs
Jan 9, 2020
Higher education professionals, much like health care professionals, are empathic and get satisfaction from helping others. However, empathizing too much can lead to burnout, or another type of chronic stress called "compassion fatigue," which results in mental or physical exhaustion, caused by exposure to other people's trauma. An assistant professor of counseling and development shares some insight on how to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue.
HigherEdJobs
Oct 7, 2016
The objective of the job interview is to determine the right fit. You wouldn't have made it this far without having a resume or CV that is compatible with the job description, so the pivotal questions asked during the interview are the ones that glean more abstract information to find the perfect match.
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