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[(Un)Settled]

This is my first year on the market, and I have accepted a job for next fall at School A.  Now, another university nearby (School B) has a last minute search going.  There are advantages to the job I accepted, and others to the job that is advertised.  I think I would be happy at either place and face difficulties at either place.  School A is more collegial.  School B is more prestigious.  The money is a wash.

School B contacted me and informally invited me to come in for an "exploratory" interview.  Do I go?  They know I have accepted an offer for School A, but I think they are panicked about having to run a last minute search and trying to get qualified candidates in the door.  I think they're worried about losing a tenure line if they don't fill the slot.

Chances are very high that I wouldn't break my current contract for next year at School A.  Are there reasons I should consider even doing the interview at School B? I didn't search far or wide for the job I got.  I got lucky and landed an offer early and just took it.

Should I accept the interview invitation?

[fried]

Yes, you should go. And if they  want you and you decide you want them, ask if you can defer a year. Then notify the school you accepted first that  you will come next year as promised but due to unforeseen circumstances will only be there a year .  Allow them the option to withdraw the offer if  it would be better for their department.  Then there are  no ethical gray areas and hopefully no hard feelings anywhere. Alternatively, you can go to this second interview and find out you definitely do *not* want to work there and then feel relieved!

[%sig%]

[2 More Cents]

I'd say stay with school A and don't bother interviewing at B.  From what you say, you feel that you've made a good choice and wouldn't even be questioning that if school B hadn't called.

[LarryC]

Ask before you go if there is any chance of a deferral for a year.  If not, don't go.

[don't]

I had the exact same thing happen recently. I thought that School B was acting a bit unethically knowing I had a firm offer from School A. So, I turned down the interview and I haven't looked back. If your School B is not that much better, then why bother. You don't want word getting out to School A that you've interviewed elsewhere, do you?