A rookie's guide to the academic job market in finance: The labor market for lemons

Abstract

Twenty years ago, we circulated our first “Rookie's Guide” to the academic labor market for finance Ph.D. students. Labor market logistics are easier now due to technological change, but the basic informational frictions that made it difficult for rookies to learn the ropes still exist, as do the fundamental market frictions that make bilateral matching between labor demand (hiring schools) and labor supply (the rookies) awkward and challenging. We recapitulate basic advice from previous guides, provide modern updates for the intense interview process, and discuss what to do after you accept an offer and during your first year of employment.