In recent work on grant applications this year, I’ve finally identified a problem that has bothered me for a long time. People who use the Foolproof Grant Template construct an argument for the urgency of their research by deploying what I call the … [Read more...] about Why Are There No Elephants? A Common Grant-Writing Error
Blog
Art and Achievement: Thoughts Before Black Friday
At 3 o’clock this Friday I'm hosting a party at my house on the theme of “Occupy Black Friday.” This is an initiative I stumbled upon on a friend’s Facebook page, and immediately loved. The idea is simple: don’t go to the mall. Instead, stay home … [Read more...] about Art and Achievement: Thoughts Before Black Friday
Can I Call the Department? (And Introducing New Members of the Team)
Today’s post is a two-parter; in part one, I tell you about all the ways that The Professor Is In is growing and expanding in Fall 2012. In part two, I answer a burning reader question. Part I: The Professor Is In is Growing! I’m pleased to … [Read more...] about Can I Call the Department? (And Introducing New Members of the Team)
Preparing for Your Interviews
Conferences have started and interviews have begun. TPII clients are scarfing up interview invites right and left, and it's very gratifying. Normally, I would expect to do an Interview Bootcamp with most of my clients, to prepare them for the real … [Read more...] about Preparing for Your Interviews
List Addiction, Cont’d: The Dyad
List addiction is an epidemic among academic writers. I have a blog post about the subject (which I knew nothing about prior to my work in TPII), and I refer at least 50% of clients to that blog post at one point or another. What is it with … [Read more...] about List Addiction, Cont’d: The Dyad
Banish These Words
Do not use the words “unique” or “burgeoning” in any of your job documents. They are painfully overused. The first is just trite. The second is over-dramatic. That is all. … [Read more...] about Banish These Words
What Is a “Toxic” Campus? A Guest Post
I have been asked by readers to describe the qualities of a "toxic" campus or job. I have thoughts on this, and someday plan to write a post about it. But for now, I offer this anonymous guest post by a client, which she titles, "The Bad and the Ugly … [Read more...] about What Is a “Toxic” Campus? A Guest Post
Damning Yourself With Faint Praise–Teaching Edition
For some reason people love to include undergraduate student feedback in the teaching paragraph of their job letters, and that feedback usually looks like this (from an actual letter): “Former students have consistently told me that I give helpful … [Read more...] about Damning Yourself With Faint Praise–Teaching Edition
Information for Those Who Work With Dr. Karen
Today’s post is meant to clarify some confusion among some of you who are or are thinking of becoming clients related to the time required to complete the editing process. I’ve had a few incidents this past month in which clients sent me 15-page sets … [Read more...] about Information for Those Who Work With Dr. Karen
The Worst Job Letter Ever Written (Not really…)
A few months ago one of my clients, after completing work with me on her job letter, ruefully sent along the original version of the letter that she had been using the previous year. She wrote, "I've attached a copy of the first job letter I ever … [Read more...] about The Worst Job Letter Ever Written (Not really…)