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Boost  Your Chances of Getting Hired: Submit Your Transcripts Early

Angela
Boost Your Chances of Getting Hired: Submit Your Transcripts Early with an image of a female shaking hands

When looking for academic jobs, you know submitting transcripts is part of the process. Dorothy Miraglia, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic and Professor Services, encourages candidates to send in their transcripts before they’re requested. She explains, “While official transcripts may be requested later in the application process, providing unofficial transcripts early demonstrates proactive behavior and enables recruiters to commence reviewing the applicant’s coursework promptly.”

Why You Need Your Transcripts Before Applying

Just like your CV and cover letter, transcripts are a necessary part of the application process. Be sure to have them ready! Transcripts serve as permanent academic records, providing a comprehensive overview of one’s courses and academic achievements. While we consider them official documents, they also offer a picture of your journey, mapping out your courses and knowledge base.

Dorothy Miraglia

Miraglia says she was skeptical about submitting unofficial transcripts early in the process, “I recognized that it would serve as evidence of my attendance and graduation from a university. However, it took me some time to fully grasp the notion that members of the hiring team would scrutinize each page to assess the courses I had undertaken,” Miraglia explained. She started consistently submitting her unofficial transcripts with each application and experiencing positive results.

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Real-Life Success Story

Miraglia tells a story that confirms her experience. “Years ago, during a Zoom interview for an online teaching position at a university, I experienced a memorable encounter. The recruiter and the department dean appreciated my Ph.D. in human behavior, mainly due to its sociological and psychological background. Our conversation delved into my Ph.D. transcript, specifically focusing on a course called ‘Aging, Grief, and Bereavement’. The recruiter highlighted how this course caught her attention while perusing my transcript. The humanities department had recently developed an aging course and sought an instructor well-versed in the subject matter. Without hesitation, she extended a job offer to me.”

Miraglia continues, “I was not only surprised by the on-the-spot job offer, which I gladly accepted! I was impressed by the recruiter’s thorough examination of my transcript, which led her to the course that intrigued her. As a doctoral student, I took many courses, some more captivating than others. Fortunately, the ‘Aging, Grief, and Bereavement’ course left a lasting impression due to its fascinating elements. The prospect of teaching a class I had found so enjoyable during my doctoral studies fills me with immense satisfaction.”

Miraglia realized her initial skepticism was proven wrong and now mentors Professor Services clients about the vital role of submitting unofficial transcripts earlier in the hiring process.

While a cover letter and CV may suffice to secure a position, colleges, and universities place value on gaining insight into the courses undertaken during an applicant’s academic journey. By thoroughly reviewing transcripts, recruiters gain a window of opportunity to comprehend the extensive educational background of potential candidates.

As graduate students, we often take numerous courses, making it challenging to recall each from memory. Transcripts serve as a valuable reminder of the depth of knowledge and experience acquired in a particular subject. By sharing our transcripts, CVs, and cover letters, we demonstrate initiative and convey our knowledge, expertise, and experience.

Get a professional CV and cover letter to stand out from the crowd of applicants or book a mentoring session with Dorothy.

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Angela

Angela Britcher is a writer, communications professor, and instructional designer. She works with The Babb Group and Edusity.
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