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[napoleonic]

Hi All,

I have 3 campus visits coming up, two at SLACs and one at an R1. Should I tell the other SCs at any point that I have also been (or will be) flown out by other schools? If so, should I tell them where? Or ought I keep mum completely until (if) actual job-offers materialize? Not sure what the etiquette is on this, so apologies for a question out of ignorance!

Best,
Nap

[killerapp]

I found it hard to avoid because of scheduling conflicts.  I was also asked by one SC member how many interviews I had, which I answered honestly.  I don't know if that's the best move, but I figure it might help for them to know you are "in demand," so to speak. And I certainly wasn't going to lie.

[dr_crankypants]

I'd keep quiet.  We want to know if you have another job offer so that we can reconsider our timeline, but we assume that the candidates we pick will have other possibilities out there.  I also think that search committees generally won't ask (I can't recall ever being asked this as a job candidate, though I recall being asked it after I'd joined the faculty).  If they do, it's not a big deal to tell them, but I'd certainly not volunteer the information. 

[yellowtractor]

Don't tell them.  If a scheduling conflict comes up, simply say that you have a scheduling conflict and the dates in question are unworkable.  SCC's know you're on the market and might have other interviews.

Of course, if you get too many campus interviews, you may have to decline additional requests because of the logistics alone.  But what a wonderful position to be in!

In general don't say anything about one search you're involved in to anyone involved in any other search until and unless someone makes you an offer.

[napoleonic]

Thanks for the replies so far.

What happens if a committee member, or anybody else on campus, simply asks me straight up: "So, where else are you interviewing?" Do I mumble, act cagey, be blunt? Is it a terrible faux pas to simply grab honesty the horns and say: "Big Moo U., Crunchy College, and Prepsville-by-the-Sea"?

[yellowtractor]

Hmmm.  I wouldn't think anyone could be that gauche (but that leads us back  to the many Inappropriate Question threads).  I've been asked a lot of strange things in several years of interviewing, but not this.

If it were me, I suppose I would smile and say "a couple of SLAC's and one larger school," or something like that--assuming this is true.  Or maybe something even more cagey, like "Still waiting to hear about several applications, but so far I'm encouraged with the response."

[dr_crankypants]

Thanks for the replies so far.

What happens if a committee member, or anybody else on campus, simply asks me straight up: "So, where else are you interviewing?" Do I mumble, act cagey, be blunt? Is it a terrible faux pas to simply grab honesty the horns and say: "Big Moo U., Crunchy College, and Prepsville-by-the-Sea"?

I don't think it's a faux pas to tell them if asked (though it's a faux pas for them to ask you in the first place).  You can either answer with the names of the schools, or if you're not comfortable with that, use some sort of descriptive terms (a northeastern slac).  I'd probably avoid the cagey response suggested by yellow tractor which, to me, sounds like you don't actually have any interviews.

[yellowtractor]

Yes, you're right, too cagey. 

I still wouldn't name the other schools, though.

[mrhistory]

Thanks for the replies so far.

What happens if a committee member, or anybody else on campus, simply asks me straight up: "So, where else are you interviewing?" Do I mumble, act cagey, be blunt? Is it a terrible faux pas to simply grab honesty the horns and say: "Big Moo U., Crunchy College, and Prepsville-by-the-Sea"?

I've gotten the direct question once---but the chair at that place was an HR manger's nightmare who asked everyting under the sun with a follow up of :  "I know I'm not supposed to ask so if you really don't want to answer you don't have to"  (right...)  Since he fancied himself such a wit all the time, by the time he got to that I fell back on "Gee, my advisor said I should never give the names of places"  and, when he pushed, I followed up with her other piece of advice: "She said that I could tell where I was interviewing if you would tell me who you were interviewing!"  He laughed and said fair enough!  (got that job, its my current fine institution...)

I've gotten a lot of what I call "confirmation of your desirability" hints. "Bet you have a lot of interviews this year!"  "I'm sure you are traveling a lot in February!"  To those I brightly told the truth: "Yes, its been a great year for me and I'm particularly glad to be here"  They always seem so pleased....

[sibyl]

Don't volunteer that you have other interviews, but if you're asked, don't lie.  If you're asked where, find a nice way to say something noncommittal.  ("Naturally, I wouldn't want to reveal their names without their knowledge.")

[mrhistory]

Don't volunteer that you have other interviews, but if you're asked, don't lie.  If you're asked where, find a nice way to say something noncommittal.  ("Naturally, I wouldn't want to reveal their names without their knowledge.")

Oh, I do like that line. Excellent.