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====== Instruction for Applying to a SoCS UTA/GTA Position (Fall 2018) ======

The recommended application process is to do the following:

- complete a Qualtrics survey outlining your skills relevant for the courses you wish to apply to,
  - attach any additional file you desire within the survey,
  - **save the results of the survey as a PDF** and
  - upload the survey results to the Academic Staff Work Assignment page as part of your application(s).

Only one survey need be completed -- all of your course related skills may be placed in one survey.

Relevant links are:

* [[https://www.uoguelph.ca/sessional_ta/|Academic Staff Work Assignment TA Job Postings (UTA and GTA)]]
  * TA Skills surveys:
    * [[https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_018rsBmqVIG1JDT|Undergraduate TA Position Skills Survey]]
    * [[https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e35Dy76NRQiIKoJ|Graduate TA Position Skills Survey]]

Ok -- but I have some questions about the process!!

We have answers!  A FAQ is below.

----

=== Frequently Asked Questions ===

The following are questions that we anticipate people may have about the process:

* [[taapplication#Why are you doing this?|Why are you doing this?]]
  * [[taapplication#Do I have to do this, or can I do it the old way?|Do I have to do this, or can I do it the old way?]]
  * [[taapplication#If I just fill out the survey, have I applied for the job?|If I just fill out the survey, have I applied for the job?]]
  * [[taapplication#May I put all my answers in one survey?|May I put all my answers in one survey?]]
  * [[taapplication#How do I navigate in the survey?|How do I navigate in the survey?]]
  * [[taapplication#How do I explain my skills?|How do I explain my skills?]]
  * [[taapplication#Is there an example of explaining skills?|Is there an example of explaining skills?]]
  * [[taapplication#How can I attach my resume?|How can I attach my resume?]]
  * [[taapplication#I have seniority, do I have to do this?|I have seniority, do I have to do this?]]
  * [[taapplication#Do you have any general job application advice?|Do you have any general job application advice?]]

=== Why are you doing this? ===

In the past, most applications were vague as to level of skill, and
didn't respond to many of the relevant job skill questions.

The School of Computer Science is therefore adopting a new process to facilitate
applicants in providing more complete and straightforward description
of skills relevant to Teaching Assistant tasks.

This is done through a Qualtrics survey.  There is a separate survey for
UTA and GTA applicants, as you are only eligible for jobs at your level of enrolment.

--------------

=== Do I have to do this, or can I do it the old way? ===
If you choose *not* to complete a survey, and simply apply with textual information and an optional uploaded file as has been done in the past, your application will still be considered, exactly as such applicants have been considered in the past.

It is, however, important to realize that the reason the survey exists at all is to solve a problem identified with past applications, and it is expected that applications including a survey will be more complete applications.

TA assignments are made based on identified skills.
The entire reason for the survey is to help you fully articulate your skills.
In the past, a majority of applications received have only poorly expressed the skill of the applicant as related to each job under consideration.

The survey will guide you to supply your skill information in the context of the job.

Anyone not using the survey tool is still expected to describe their skills fully and clearly in relation to the jobs as described.

--------------
=== If I just fill out the survey, have I applied for the job? ===

No. Filling out the survey simply provides you with a way to create a file for your job application.

The process in [[https://www.uoguelph.ca/vpacademic/facultyrelations/pdf/CUPE_Local_3913_Unit1_C.pdf|CUPE 3913/1 CA]] indicates that application materials **must** be uploaded as part of the application, this means that if you forget this step, the School **cannot** reference your results directly from the survey as application materials.

**Do not forget to save and upload your file.**

If you only complete the survey, you will not be considered to have applied for any job.

--------------
=== May I put all my answers in one survey? ===

Yes.

The survey is designed to allow you to express your skills for all of the jobs for which you want to be considered, within one survey.  This allows you to complete the survey only once, **save the PDF copy** and then upload it to as many TA position applications as you wish.

In addition, you can upload a file **within the survey** if you wish to include additional materials, such as a cover letter or resume that you would like to make available to the hiring committee.

Note that if you indicate that you wish to be considered for all available work assignments, the information in the survey will be used to determine your skills for all of these jobs in the same fashion as if you have uploaded an application specific to each course.

--------------
=== How do I navigate in the survey? ===

When completing the survey, the first page asks you to provide identity and contact information.  This will allow us to ensure that the survey responses are identified as belonging to the correct person, much as is done when writing an examination or course assignment work.

The survey then presents a Table of Contents that allows you to jump to any course for which you want to provide information.  The Table of Contents is always available through the button in the top left corner with three (red) lines.  Once you have filled out information for your choice of courses, you can use this tool to jump to the "End of Survey".  At this point you can attach your additional file if desired, and you will then be able to save the results as a PDF.

**Very Important:** //be sure to save your PDF file results and upload them with your application!//  If you don't upload the file and apply to any position at https://www.uoguelph.ca/sessional_ta you won't be considered to have applied to any jobs.

--------------
=== How do I explain my skills? ===

Once you have entered the survey and moved to the page for a particular course, you will see a list of questions.
These directly reflect the "Required" and "Preferred" skills identified in the [[https://www.uoguelph.ca/sessional_ta/|TA job postings]].
For each skill, there is a yes/no question or a ranking question.
Yes/no questions are provided for those questions where there is no ambiguity of level, such as having taken a prerequisite course.
For questions where different levels of skill are likely, you can describe your level of skill on the scale "Zero, Low, Medium, High, Expert" and explain your skill level in an accompanying text box.

It is not expected that you will be an "Expert" in many (if any) skills.  An exception might be if you have been a TA for this course several times before, or if you have very significant industry or academic experience in this area.

If you do not have any skill in a particular area, use "Zero" or leave it blank.  Any unanswered questions will be assumed to have a level of "Zero."

Please give an honest and fair assessment of your skills.  In the past, the vast majority of people assigned to TA jobs have been assessed at "Low" or "Zero" levels of skill in at least some areas.  Do not feel that you need to have high levels of skill in order to be hired.

=== Skill assessment rating ===

When trying to determine your level of skill, think of how your friends and colleagues would rate your skills within a given area.
If you are assessing yourself at higher levels of skill, it is very important to use the text box to explain why, so that the committee can ensure that all applicants are using a similar scale.

Consider this descriptive scale:

- Zero Rating: no experience.
  - Low Rating: bare minimum exposure with little experience.
  - Medium Rating: somewhat familiar but not completely competent.
  - High Rating: competent with a good amount of experience.
  - Expert Rating: completely familiar with a great deal of experience.

=== Is there an example of explaining skills? ===

Yes!  Here are two examples:

== Example: "Ability to do Python programming" ==

For Python programming experience, someone who has written a couple simple programs would be at "low".
"Medium" skill would describe someone who has written many programs.
"High" level of skill would describe someone who has helped others learn the language, or someone who has done some paid work in this area.
"Expert" levels of skill would describe someone who has helped develop instructional materials for Python, or someone who has done paid work for several years -- someone who can be expected to be able to answer intricate and subtle questions.

== Example: "Ability to independently lead laboratory sections" ==

For this area:

* "Zero" would mean that you do not have any skills in this area.
  * "Low" would mean that you have not directly led a section independently in the past, but that you have some skills that will help you do this, such as presentation skills and a thorough knowledge of the area.
  * "Medium" would mean that you may have led a few periods of a lab section before, likely in a single course
  * "High" would mean that you have led laboratory sections before, on multiple occasions.
  * "Expert" would mean that you have not only led, but participated in the design or structuring of lab sections -- as above, there is likely nothing that could surprise you.

Each of the descriptions explaining the levels in these examples are examples of the sort of information expected in the "Explanation or rationale" field.

--------------
=== How can I attach my resume? ===

As only one file may be uploaded as part of a job application, a means has been provided to allow you to attach a resume or cover letter within the survey.

The tool to do this is at the end of the survey, on the "End Survey" page in the table of contents.

--------------

=== I have seniority, do I have to do this? ===

As described in [[https://www.uoguelph.ca/vpacademic/facultyrelations/pdf/CUPE_Local_3913_Unit1_C.pdf|CUPE 3913/1 CA]] seniority will be used to assign a job to an applicant with greater seniority "in cases where applicants are demonstrably equal in the opinion of the University".

It is important to realize that seniority does **not** mean that a full application is not required.

In particular, a "blank" application from someone with several points of seniority, while stronger than a blank application from someone with //no// seniority points, is **weaker** than an application from anyone who shows any evidence of any skill whatsoever.

Please do not be fooled into thinking that seniority by itself will produce a job.  A complete application is most definitely required.

--------------

=== Do you have any general job application advice? ===

Yes.  Here are some general job application instructions.

If you wish to provide a resume, cover letter or other materials, it is important to remember that you are writing to show your expertise for a specific job, or set of jobs.  Information that is not directly relevant to the job should go at the end of the application in an attached document, or likely not be included at all.

Focus your application and be clear.  Much of being a good TA is about being a good communicator.  If your application is not clearly written and focused on the task at hand, this reflects negatively on your ability to teach and mentor students.

====== OLD ARTICLE IGNORE ======

===== Notes regarding the example application =====

It is important to remember that you are writing a document to show
your expertise for a specific job, or set of jobs.  Information that
is not directly relevant to the job should go later in the document,
or likely not be included at all.

Focus your application, and be clear.  Much of being a good TA is
about being a good communicator.  If your application is not clearly
written and focused on the task at hand, this reflects negatively
on your ability to teach and mentor students.

The example application and this description is intended to help
you produce an application that is clear, complete, and well suited
to the task of applying for this sort of job.

==== Relevant Experience with Course(s) ====

The purpose of this section is to provide information specific to
every course that you have applied to TA.  The most important information
to give is identified in the job advertisement description.  Be sure to
identify and carefully reflect upon each of the requirements listed in the
job advertisement before writing anything, and then tailor your application
to the requirements.

Below, you will find some hints on how to write a strong application.
The hints are illustrated using the example course below, which is not
part of the SoCS curriculum.

== CIS*1234 / Introduction to Something ==

Here is a list of requirements, typical of what would be given in an
actual job advertisement:

Demonstrated knowledge of the subject area.
	Experience using the programming languages Java, Eiffel and R.
	Must have excellent written skills and be able to effectively
	communicate and edit written works.
	Ability to independently lead laboratory sections.

In the example TA Appliation document, the applicant has noted that
they demonstrably
know the material as they have not only taken the course before (first bullet),
but have previously been the teaching assistant before (second bullet).

Most importantly, 
notice that each one of the job description items has been responded to in
some way by the applicant (third bullet).  In the case of programming languages, the
applicant has indicated that they are not an expert at
Eiffel -- possibly none of the applicants
are.  Being clear here will avoid miscommunications with the course
instructor later, and will allow the instructorto better assign specific
duties to the different TAs assigned to the course.

Regarding availability, it is clear that this course has multiple lecture
sections and multiple lab sections.  This applicant has indicated that
they are not able to attend lecture section 01, nor lab section 02.  In
a large multi-section course, it is necessary to ensure that all of
the necessary meeting times can be covered, so providing your availability
allows this.

== CIS*2345 / Programming Intermediate Algorithms ==

Again, the applicant has been clear regarding their experiences, and
their availability.  Again, clear responses are given that (presuably)
directly refer to expertise listed in the job description.

== CIS*4321 / Advanced Computing Ideas ==

Here the applicant does not have as much experience, and they have
been clear about this.  It may well be that they are still the most
qualified applicant, so it is important to provide this information if
you wish to apply to a course such as this.

An applicant who indicates some level of skill or experience will be
strongly preferred over an applicant who does not provide any information.

*If no information is provided regarding a point on the job description,
the assumption is that you are entirely unqualified in this area.*

Note also that the information presented is structured and presented *in
relation to the job application desired qualifications*.  Be sure to focus
your application accordingly.

=== Additional Teaching and Leadership Experience ===

In this section you can highlight any other teaching, mentorship or other
relevant leadership experience that you may have.  Not all teaching happens at the
University, and experience teaching in other ways is still valuable
experience that can be brought to the classroom as a TA.

=== Skills and Activities ===

Use these areas to highlight anything else in your experience that you
think is relevant to the TA job.

{{ :students:ta-application-example.pdf | TA Example Application}}

{{ :students:ta-application-template.docx | TA Application Template}}

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