The Department of Political Science supports students on the job market by paying for copying and postage of application packets, and coordinating the compilation and distribution of dossiers (including a cover letter from the Department Chair).  A student becomes eligible for these services after she has scheduled a practice job talk authorized by the Department Chair, the Director of Graduate Studies and her dissertation advisor.  The Department's Placement Coordinator (PC) manages placement services.

Graduate students should plan to begin formal placement activities early in the calendar year they wish to enter the market.  These activities generally conform to the following timetable:

January through June

• Confirm readiness for the market with dissertation advisor
• Identify and confirm letter writers
• Begin assembling documents typically needed for application packets

July

• Meet with DGS and PC to review placement service process
• Provide AC with list of confirmed letter writers
• Request WU registrar to send official transcript to PC, if transcripts are to be included in the dossier
• Begin reviewing job notices

August

• Schedule date for practice job talk with advisor and PC
• Inform PC where you want dossiers sent
• Begin sending out application packets

September through end of Academic Year

• Hold practice job talkInterviews begin
• Inform advisor and PC of progress on the job market
• Continue sending out application packets