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englitprof
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« on: September 28, 2006, 05:47:22 PM » |
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I don't want to hijack slowandsteady's thread, so ... What if an advertisement requests an expert in Major Movement with a specialization other than or in addition to Major Figure Associated with that Movement--which, of course, was the topic of my dissertation. I'm certainly capable of and interested in teaching and research in other figures/subjects, but I don't have a publication record that reflects this, and I don't have a suitable project in the works. Will the committee likely dismiss me as a fraud trying to BS my way into a job?
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"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but surely the world will change for that one dog." --unknown
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crazybatlady
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« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2006, 06:26:15 PM » |
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Why shouldn't they? You're in English, where there are something like 250-300 applicants per job?
Sorry, englitprof, but if you study Shakespeare and they want an Early Modern anything-but-Shakespeare, you're out of luck.
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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untenured
On far too many committees
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 5,625
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« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2006, 07:10:34 PM » |
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I agree with my looney flying-mammalian female friend. With most openings deluged with applications, a search committee can be choosy about specializations and receive a bumper crop of on-point candidates.
The likelihood of success is low, but the cost of applying is even lower, so why not apply anyway and take your chances? The worst they can say is "no".
Untenured
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You are among the Pure and Truthful, however small their Number.
My goodness, that was an exceptionally good analysis of the forum. |
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canadian2
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« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2006, 08:21:13 PM » |
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re: how to demonstrate competence. If you're reasonably fresh out of grad school, or just finishing up, then it's entirely appropriate to say things like "the courses I have taken in XYZ and my qualifying exam in XYZ ... qualify me to teach courses in area XZY." Dissertations and publications aren't the only things you can point to.
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englitprof
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« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2006, 09:59:26 PM » |
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Why shouldn't they? You're in English, where there are something like 250-300 applicants per job?
Sorry, englitprof, but if you study Shakespeare and they want an Early Modern anything-but-Shakespeare, you're out of luck.
Well, CBL, given that the ad says "other than OR in addition to," I don't think I'm being entirely unreasonable in asking them to consider my application. Certainly there will likely be plenty of applicants whose work has nothing to do with Major Figure, but one thing I've gathered from this forum is that you never know when your application might succeed despite the apparent odds. My question is not whether to apply but how to emphasize what I do have to offer within the position's stated requirements that may not be readily apparent from my CV and diss. abstract. re: how to demonstrate competence. If you're reasonably fresh out of grad school, or just finishing up, then it's entirely appropriate to say things like "the courses I have taken in XYZ and my qualifying exam in XYZ ... qualify me to teach courses in area XZY." Dissertations and publications aren't the only things you can point to.
These are good points, canadian2. I do have considerable teaching experience that speaks to their desired expertise, so perhaps I should stress that. |
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"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but surely the world will change for that one dog." --unknown
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aristotelian
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« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2006, 08:03:51 AM » |
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You might look at their department page. Is there anyone there who is a specialist in the Movement and Major Figure? I agree with those who say there is no harm in applying. You never know what might happen: the specialist who is already there might retire, and then you could become the perfect candidate. Just play up the other areas of your interests, market yourself as a generalist, and see what happens.
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crazybatlady
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« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2006, 07:43:25 PM » |
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I'm sorry, englitprof, apparently I misunderstood your question: Will the committee likely dismiss me as a fraud trying to BS my way into a job?
and thought you were asking if the committee would dismiss your application. Surely if your dissertation is about Shakespeare and they want Stuff Other Than Shakespeare (to continue that example) and you "don't have a publication record that reflects this, and [you] don't have a suitable project in the works," then surely I was mistaken in answering that in the very tight job market, your cv will not be considered for long. Sorry for the misunderstanding. But as someone else always says, you can't get the job if you don't apply. Good luck! |
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
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Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2006, 08:33:46 PM » |
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What does it cost to apply? An hour to revise your cover letter to match the job ad and the institution, and some stamps. It could be that as the committee looks at the apps they suddenly realize that unadvertised sub-specialty X--which you have--would be a good addition to their program. A long shot, but it has happened to us. Apply already.
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englitprof
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« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2006, 01:42:20 PM » |
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Thanks for the (non-snarky) advice, larryc and aristotelian. If I seemed a bit testy in my response, crazybatlady, it was only because I felt you were implying that I would, indeed, be a fraud if I applied, which is not a fair assumption (yes, I was [intentionally] vague in my post, but still). No doubt I am a little over-sensitive, but I think sometimes the more seasoned posters on this board forget how stressed out those of us actually on the market are this time of year. Kindness is always appreciated, even when we're being told something we don't want to hear.
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"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but surely the world will change for that one dog." --unknown
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crazybatlady
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« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2006, 02:07:46 PM » |
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You are absolutely right, englitprof, and I apologize. I have been rather snarky of late, and I'm sorry for taking it out on you.
cbl
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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englitprof
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« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2006, 02:36:19 PM » |
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No hard feelings, crazybatlady--I've certainly valued your advice on other posts, and I realize I didn't phrase my original post well.
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"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but surely the world will change for that one dog." --unknown
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