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[fear]

does it hurt your chance if you actually got your degree from a more prestigious school than the head of the department (and most other people) to which you apply?

I want a job badly, and indeed the schools where the people got their degrees are good in their own field. just not as high-ranking as mine.

[berkeley]

No. Some schools who want to boost their rankings, or want to play with their more prestigious peers, strive to hire ph.d.s from top schools.

After all, even if they hire you, they will be the senior people, and decision makers, etc.

[anon]

Just make sure that when you meet with the Department Head that you reassure him/her that you respect his/her degree.

Try something like "Now, I don't want you to feel intimidated by me or anything.  I'm just like you, only nominally better".

It works!  Really.

[anon has got be kidding]

Really!

[anon]

Yes, I was kidding of course.

Kinda ruins the fun, though, don't you think....;)

[Anon and on]

Hint: Don't be arrogant about your research or degree. It will put ANYONE off.

[fear]

of course not ....
despite the prestige of my school, their schools are actually better in the  field. hence my worries .....

[Marlene]

Your degree won't hinder your job search, but your arrogance will. If their schools are better in your field, they may think your "better" school is not good enough. Really, you need something else to worry about.

[reality]

Well said, Marlene.

Also don't forget that prestige is in the eye of the beholder. For example, many people from the mid-atlantic states think University of Pennsylvania (Ivy) is "the community college of the Ivy League"; others from New England think Berkeley is where you go when you can't get into Harvard, ect...

So it's all relative.

[%sig%]

[anonanonanon]

Departments usually want the best they can get: a degree from a school with a great reputation can only help your chances.

As noted above, though, you can really hurt your chances if you go into the interview with "an attitude".  A great school can help get you to the interview stage, but it's mainly your accomplishments and abilities that are going to get you a position.

[anonany]

I have PhD from the top program in my field, have published 35 books, 250 articles, all in top journals in my field, have won 5 billion dollars in grants, have been president of 4 countries, maxed the IQ test etc. etc.

In spite of all this, I'm applying for a job in a department where no-one has ever published a book or an article. Do you think this will hinder my chances in getting this job?

[?]

?

[to fear]

Nevermind the sarcasm.  Having a good degree will make it easier for the department to sell you to the dean.  Without implying anything or being sarcastic, it's worth just not making your institution an issue.  People will want to talk about your teaching, research, etc.  One thing that you can do is to learn a lot about the institution you're interviewing at before you go, that will allow you to reply to any questions about your 'fit' intelligently.

TF

[DrStones]

If you actually, really worry about this kind of ****, you must be about twelve, and completely unsocialized.

I don't give a rat's ass where you went to school, if you cannot publish.