Academic Advisor Jobs in the United States

Academic Advisor Jobs Overview

Academic advisor jobs revolve around helping students develop their social and academic skills. Duties typically involve analyzing and recording school records to make sure students are meeting the requirements necessary to graduate.

If you work at a university, you'll also help students choose their majors and minors. You're the primary point of contact with a student's family, which involves relaying important school information to them as well.

During your search for academic advisor jobs, keep in mind that most positions require applicants to work full-time with hours that typically range from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, you might not work as much when students aren't at school during the summer.

Academic advisors usually work in community colleges, high schools, public universities, private institutions, and other types of post-secondary schools. No matter where you prefer to work, there are likely many academic advisor jobs to apply for. Analysts at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expect this field to grow by 10% over the next decade, which is faster than average.

Academic Advisor Jobs: Salary

Academic advisor jobs often come with salaries that range from $32,355 to $59,167. Cities like Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago all pay academic advisors median salaries above $45,000 per year. Learn more about how much you can earn with Monster's salary calculator.

How to Find Academic Advisor Jobs That Fit You

Finding the best academic advisor jobs to apply to depends on what you want from this career. It's easier to narrow your options once you define your career goals.

Are you hoping to gain the experience and skills necessary to become the head of a department, such as the director of student affairs? Or would you prefer to eventually re-route your academic experience and branch out to another related career that provides a more flexible schedule? Once you figure out what your career goals are, you should have the parameters you need to find academic advisor jobs that help you meet these goals.

Review the Job Description and Assess Your Qualifications

Once you discover an academic advisor job listing that piques your interest, carefully read through the main duties and qualifications. Determine if the skills you currently have match the job listing qualifications and requirements.

A bachelor's degree in education or counseling is the minimum needed to apply for this type of job. The specific job that interests you might have additional requirements that could include everything from specific computer software knowledge to a master's degree.

Hiring managers for academic advisor jobs often ask applicants to have a counseling license and teaching certification, the latter of which is available from the state you work in. If you wish to earn a counseling license, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides a National Counselor Examination to gain this license.

Research the Company and Its Culture

Each school has a unique culture and its own values. For example, the work culture of a large state university will differ from that of a small liberal arts college with a religious affiliation. To learn more about a school’s values, review its website and reach out to alumni if you can.

Consider the school's reputation and the job's work environment. Do you prefer working as the main academic advisor at a small high school or as one advisor on a team at a large university?

Search for Growth Opportunities

It’s also wise to look at potential growth opportunities with the employer. In university departments, professional development is often possible by gaining a senior-level position as the academic advising director. However, even smaller colleges and high schools may offer room to grow into bigger roles.

How to Apply for Academic Advisor Jobs

After reviewing your chosen academic advisor job description, it's time to apply. You should complete the application process without issue if you follow a structured approach.

Properly Prepare for the Application Process

When you start the application process, review the job description to identify the important qualifications and skills you need to emphasize. If the job requires an active teaching certification, include the details of your certification toward the top of your resume.

Be sure to take note if an employer asks applicants to confirm proficiency with a specific program or software. For example, many schools require academic advisors to have experience with using Microsoft Excel or Salesforce.

Create an Effective Resume

Getting a school to show interest in your application requires creating an effective resume. Make sure to include the resume keywords the employer is looking for, like “communication skills” and “analyze documents.” These words can be found in the job description’s qualifications and requirements.

If you're just entering this field, consider using the combination format for your resume. This format leads with your qualifications and skills before focusing on your experience. These are some primary skills to include in your resume:

• listening skills
• analytical skills
• interpersonal skills
• proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Read our academic advisor resume sample for more clarity on what your resume should look like. Once you finish writing your resume, read it aloud to catch any grammar errors. If you need more help, use the Monster Professional Resume Writing Service.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

An academic position requires a strong cover letter, which gives you the opportunity to communicate your interest in the job and demonstrate your skills. You should emphasize any skills you have that are present in the job description.

It's essential that each cover letter you write is unique and specifically matches the position you're applying for. If the employer is looking for an applicant who has experience with virtual communication tools like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, write about how often you use these tools.

It’s also good to explain why you’d be a valuable addition to the school and how you’d fit into their culture. Consider including a brief story or example that highlights your previous success as an advisor.

Submit the Application

Now it's time to submit your application by creating a Monster account. After you register, click the "Apply" button on your preferred job listing for a fast and easy way to get closer to your ideal role.

How to Follow Up With an Employer

It can seem like a long wait between applying for a job and hearing back. After you send in your application, follow up with the employer at the right time to show how much interest you have in the position.

Timing Your Follow-up

Wait around one week before you follow up with an employer. This gives them enough time to read through your resume and consider your qualifications.

How to Follow Up

When following up, do so by email or phone. If you write an email, keep it concise. A few short paragraphs are all that are necessary to get your point across.

In your message, politely ask if they can provide an update on the status of your application. Be sure to also restate your interest in the position and thank the hiring manager for their consideration.

Who to Follow Up With

Depending on the size of the school you're applying to, you should reach out to the hiring manager, principal, or human resources department. You’ll find this information on the school's website. If it's not there, contact the dean or principal for clarity.

Interviewing Tips

Your resume and cover letter displayed your skills and experience as they related to the job description requirements. Next, a strong interview has the potential to propel you ahead of other candidates.

Preparing for the Interview

As you prepare for the interview, you’ll want to do even more research on the school and staff. Also, take some time to reread the job description. Try to pinpoint the main qualifications that they highlighted in the listing.

Prepare for this meeting by asking yourself some sample questions pertaining to the academic advisor position. Here are a few examples of questions that a hiring manager often asks during this sort of interview:

• How do you motivate your students?
• What advice do you give to a student who hasn’t picked a major?
• How do you map out a student’s progress?
• What are the challenges of being an academic advisor?

What the Interview Process Entails

Most institutions will host at least two rounds of interviews, the first of which occurs by video or phone. The second interview often takes place in person. In most cases, the hiring manager or principal handles the interview.

These positions often involve situational and behavioral interviews, which means that you'll need to answer questions about how you would respond to specific situations. Expect to answer questions on how you would handle different types of students who are pursuing different academic paths. The hiring manager might ask you how you'll prioritize the needs of the students, parents, and school.

Interview Tips

You should ace your interview if you know what the position's responsibilities are and how they occur during a typical day at school. Most of the questions to expect should center on the duties in the job description. For instance, you'll need to know how to track a student's progress when it comes to their graduation.

The ideal method for answering behavioral questions is to use the STAR method, which allows you to demonstrate your experience and skills with relevant examples. Let's say the interviewer asks how you would help a student pick the right minor or major for the career they'd like to enter. Use your knowledge of the degrees available at the college to provide your answer.

The interviewer might ask you to talk about your greatest achievement in academic advising or similar work as well as a mistake you made, how you corrected it, and what you learned from the experience. Also, you might need to share your thoughts about how you benefited from the help of an academic adviser and what resources you'd recommend to a struggling student facing academic probation.

Make sure to dress properly for the interview. Business casual is the way to go for practically any school. Focus on blazers, button-down shirts, tailored slacks, modest dresses, mid-length skirts, blouses, and loafers.

Follow Up

Once the interview is over, you should start crafting a follow-up message. Send a quick thank-you email by the next business day. You can seek an update on your prospects after five to seven business days.

In your follow-up, reiterate your interest in the job and the skills you possess. If you're talking to the interviewer on the phone, thank them for their time. If you don't hear back after your first letter or phone call, contact them one more time before moving on to the next potential job opportunity.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

You got an offer — great! Before you read the details to make sure everything sounds good, call the hiring manager to thank them for the offer.

How to Respond to the Offer: Timing and Communication

Take a moment to congratulate yourself. Then, review the offer to make sure it meets your expectations concerning your responsibilities, salary, and benefits.

If you did your due diligence while researching academic advisor jobs, you should have a good idea if the position that's offered is right for you. If you have any questions about the offer, call the hiring manager or principal for clarification. Once you have the necessary information in hand, make a decision based on your needs and priorities.

You might want a salary that's higher than the offer. If so, research the industry and position to make sure your request matches the industry or state average. When negotiating your salary or benefits, do so with the same professionalism you displayed during the interview. These salary negotiation tips can help.

Career Paths

A career as an academic advisor has many potential paths for you to take. With a master's degree, you might consider advancing to a more senior position in the academic advisor department at your university of choice. If you have a teaching license, it's possible to move to a teaching position that allows you to eventually pursue a professorship that offers tenure.

While you're considering your potential career path, think about your goals and talents. For example, if using your experience as an academic advisor to work as a teacher appeals to you, build strong working relationships with the teachers and faculty members at the school you work at.

You'll also gain more opportunities for professional development by earning a master's degree or doctorate in teaching or counseling. A doctorate gives you the knowledge necessary to qualify for an education administrator role. Look for professional associations in the academic field during your career to discover more opportunities along the way.

Similar Occupations

Searching for roles that are similar to academic advisor jobs? Consider these positions:

• student advisor
• admissions counselor
• program director