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[hiddendragon]

There's been some talk about rude behavior by SC here.  I have another story which I don't know if it's rude or how I should interpret it, or maybe I should just forget about it. I recently got an email from another candidate for the same job I've applied to.  The candidate apparently knew I had applied to this job and had been one of the finalists with hu. Anyway, this candidate said hu had withdrawn hus application from consideration in the last few days.  This was done weeks post-campus visit.  My thinking is that this person already knew the result and so is withdrawing only to save face (can't take a rejection). Now, my thinking is not too farfetched because hu's in a perfect position to know the inside since hu graduated from the said school and has former profs sitting on the SC.  Anyway, hu was so sure the job was a "perfect fit" for me.  Being that hu's on the inside, I'm thinking hu knows I got the job [I have not been informed of this yet, though]. My point is, why bother even emailing me and telling me hu's withdrawn hus application? Is this a pre-emptive kick in my butt?  I thought this email was quite rude. If you have the gutts to throw in an application, you should be a sport and see the process through (accept your rejection gracefully) instead of emailing the one who's getting the job to say something to the effect of "well, I've withdrawn my application so you should have a better chance now."  Talk about rude behavior! How should I respond to this email?

[expatinuk]

Life is WAY to short to think that everyone has some hidden agenda.

You can send an email and say... 'Thanks for letting me know' or you can ignore him.

[drsyn]

I would send hu a note wishing them luck on their search.

[spork]

I think you should withraw also, for the following reasons:

- you negatively interpret what could have been simple courtesy on the other candidate's part

- you don't know how to spell "guts"

- you believe people you don't even know should behave according to your preferences

[case_insensitive]

I think you should withraw also, for the following reasons:

- you negatively interpret what could have been simple courtesy on the other candidate's part

- you don't know how to spell "guts"

- you believe people you don't even know should behave according to your preferences

- you use hu so much that your post is difficult to follow.

[hiddendragon]

Spork, I believe the email was rude because I didn't even know this person had also applied to the position. Why email another candidate to announce your withdrawal when they don't even know you were in the running in the first place?  Then to say something to the effect that "you should now have a better chance because I've withdrew" blah blah blah?  To me, that's quite a passive aggressive way to face a rejection, and quite rude.  What exactly would be the point of such an email? What? Does this person aim to make me feel obligated to hu should I get the position?  This email was uncalled for and rude.  Bad sportsmanship.  Period.  You threw in an application, face the rejection.

Drsyn, I can't wish this person luck on their search because this person is already at a t-t position.  The person applied to this new position because it was in a location that hu wanted.  Now, this person suddenly brags about how happy hu is at said tt position in the email to me, which I know not to be true.

[larryc]

There was nothing rude about the email, it was just another human being trying to help you out.

[crazybatlady]

Spork, I believe the email was rude because I didn't even know this person had also applied to the position. Why email another candidate to announce your withdrawal when they don't even know you were in the running in the first place?  Then to say something to the effect that "you should now have a better chance because I've withdrew" blah blah blah?  To me, that's quite a passive aggressive way to face a rejection, and quite rude.  What exactly would be the point of such an email? What? Does this person aim to make me feel obligated to hu should I get the position?  This email was uncalled for and rude.  Bad sportsmanship.  Period.  You threw in an application, face the rejection.

Drsyn, I can't wish this person luck on their search because this person is already at a t-t position.  The person applied to this new position because it was in a location that hu wanted.  Now, this person suddenly brags about how happy hu is at said tt position in the email to me, which I know not to be true.

I think you might be misreading the email.  It sounds to me like:

Hi HiddenDragon,  I'm just writing to let you know that I've taken a good look around and I really like it where I am. So I've gone and withdrawn myself from the search at Big U.  Perhaps you will have a better chance at that job now.

In any case, don't get all upset about it.  Read the email, smile a bit, think, "gee, maybe my chances are better!  Maybe I got the job!" and have a beer.

[And I would like to chastise the long-time posters (ehem, ci and spork!) for forming a click and ganging up on this OP. Shame on you.  Shame!]

[case_insensitive]

cbl,

:-P

I'm sure the OP has now taken a few deep breaths and stopped the panic.  Job searching is so stressful that it's hard not to freak at any curveball, even a benign one.

ci (who's never been in a clique in her life)

[angel]

I don't see anything rude about the email. I think you're reading between hidden lines encrypted in ciphertext written in invisible ink.

The other person may have received a great counter-offer, his/her spouse may have landed a great position in the area or received tenure at a nearby institution, realized aspects of the job weren't to his/her liking, or whatever. Why assume the candidate was about to be rejected and wanted to do the rejecting first when there are so many possible variables?

It's easier to accept good wishes from a candidate no longer in the running than to try to decode a message without knowing the context. 

[voxprincipalis]

- you use hu so much that your post is difficult to follow.

That's funny; I had no problem understanding it at all.

At any rate, OP, whether the original email was intended to be rude or not is something you probably will never know. But it doesn't really matter. Either way, hu is out of the running for the job! Concentrate on your prospects for the future and let the possible sour grapes of other candidates fall to the ground and make stinky wine.

VP

[case_insensitive]

- you use hu so much that your post is difficult to follow.

That's funny; I had no problem understanding it at all.

That's because you are creative and smart.  I'm only an accountant and good at numbers.  You know, everything is either a debit or a credit, a him or a her... not a hu! There are no hus in accounting.  ;-)

[voxprincipalis]

There are no hus in accounting.  ;-)

LOL! That is a good quote.

VP

[crazybatlady]

I'm only an accountant and good at numbers.  You know, everything is either a debit or a credit, a him or a her... not a hu! There are no hus in accounting.  ;-)

That's funny.  I thought GOOD accountants were the ones who made up the hus.

Hmmmm....

No wonder I pay so much in taxes...

[busyslinky]

OP I agree it was inappropriate of a competing candidate to contact you.  That person could (and should) be in trouble and reprimanded for contacting you at all since they are not part of the search committee.  This could hurt the chances of the search committee to find a preferable and suitable candidate.  You are upset by what happened (as you have a right to be) and may cause you to withdraw.   

I know if I were on the Search Committee, one of our 'internal' candidates contact another to tell them anything concerning the position, I would be beside myself. Because the information they are passing may not be accurate.