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[looking]

I'm currently at a mid-level university, and have a job interview next week at a much better school. My spouse is also in a tenure-track job here. I have been  told by a Dean who called to ask me to come interview that the school has a spousal hiring policy in case I was interested (I checked, and they do have a nice policy). So, do I outright mention my spouse, bring a CV just in case someone asks, or only mention the spousal hire issue after I get an offer? In case it matters, we are both considered to be strong researchers in our respective fields.

I have read a number of different opinions in these forums and in the advice columns, but spousal hiring procedures seem to have changed so much over the last few years that I am unsure how to proceed!

Thanks!

[Search Committee Member]

Since you were specifically told by the Dean about the spousal hiring policy, I certainly think you should be prepared with spouse's c.v. and also that you might well raise it in a non-demanding way with that Dean: "Since you mentioned the spouse policy, I've brought my spouse's c.v. along -- would it be appropriate to offer it to you now?" If the chair or search committee also bring it up -- which may well mean they know someone at your current school, or one of your referees has mentioned it -- you could do the same. It's also possible that someone in the department would mention a specific need that your spouse could fill, which would give you another good opportunity to offer them the c.v. In general, of course, it's better not to mention a spouse hire until you're sure they want you; and even in this situation I think you should be clear that it's not a DEMAND; but my guess is that a polite offer in a reasonable context would be ok.

[anon]

Just wondering... Did the Dean bring up the spousal hire business as part of a long list of university perks? If not, it seems odd that it would come up unless the Dean already knows.