next »

[alleyoxenfree]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm having a meltdown.  This is partly brought on, I think, over the fact that money is so tight that I can't afford to do any of the things I've done in the past to cope with the pressure: can't go out to eat to get a salad, can't get a massage, can't afford to go to yoga or the gym, can't go shopping, can't to the movies.

And I've done and am sick of the free things: walking, running, walking, cable, sorting the sock drawer, taking things to Goodwill, selling books, writing cards and letters to friends.  I no longer get pleasure out of reading, since it reminds me of my underemployment.  Talking on the phone costs money and I'm boring myself, so I know I'm boring my friends.  I even hate preparing for my classes although I'm grateful to have them.

What now - stand on my head until the phone rings?

What's worse, reviewing all the work I've done for the past six months, it seems painfully clear that if something goes to HR, I get perhaps 1-3% interviews.  Outside HR, much higher, like 70% of the time.  Of course, no offers yet from those.  But most of the postings I see go through HR.  I've read all the columns about getting your resume or CV through and nothing is working, by which I am concluding that most of the openings are not true openings; this was confirmed by a candid conversation with an HR person a week ago who stammered around before admitting that.

So while I was on a great, long tear with getting applications out, now I feel.... like Sisyphus.

Help me, forumites.  I'm usually able to keep my spirits up, but they are flagging in a big way and I've fallen into a complete lack of productivity.  I don't think I even know what I want anymore, except to run far, far away.

[porcupine]

Would anyone care to weigh in on this question?  A SLAC has posted job openings in two different departments.  I have a terminal degree in each area and would be interested in either opening, since my work crosses both disciplines.  The college is small so if I do two applications, they will surely be seen by the same HR person and probably will be known to the other committee.  Should I do one application, indicating my interest in both departments?  Given academia, it seems that might wind up insulting each of them.

The default is that you need to submit two separate applications, one distinct one for each position. If there's any ambiguity, there's nothing wrong with contacting the HR department and asking for clarification.

[porcupine]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm having a meltdown.  This is partly brought on, I think, over the fact that money is so tight that I can't afford to do any of the things I've done in the past to cope with the pressure: can't go out to eat to get a salad, can't get a massage, can't afford to go to yoga or the gym, can't go shopping, can't to the movies.

And I've done and am sick of the free things: walking, running, walking, cable, sorting the sock drawer, taking things to Goodwill, selling books, writing cards and letters to friends.  I no longer get pleasure out of reading, since it reminds me of my underemployment.  Talking on the phone costs money and I'm boring myself, so I know I'm boring my friends.  I even hate preparing for my classes although I'm grateful to have them.

What now - stand on my head until the phone rings?

What's worse, reviewing all the work I've done for the past six months, it seems painfully clear that if something goes to HR, I get perhaps 1-3% interviews.  Outside HR, much higher, like 70% of the time.  Of course, no offers yet from those.  But most of the postings I see go through HR.  I've read all the columns about getting your resume or CV through and nothing is working, by which I am concluding that most of the openings are not true openings; this was confirmed by a candid conversation with an HR person a week ago who stammered around before admitting that.

So while I was on a great, long tear with getting applications out, now I feel.... like Sisyphus.

Help me, forumites.  I'm usually able to keep my spirits up, but they are flagging in a big way and I've fallen into a complete lack of productivity.  I don't think I even know what I want anymore, except to run far, far away.

Sorry, meant to append this to my previous post. Alley - I am so sorry you're feeling down. I don't know if this will help, but one thing I do when feeling bad is to look at old student evaluations (nice comments only). Reading through them, I feel some of the same energy from previous classes return, and it helps me remember why I do this. (Disclaimer: I have a tt job now, so you might feel like throwing fora tomatoes at me for weighing in, but I was searching for four years before I got lucky with my current position so I do know what it is like).

[alleyoxenfree]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm having a meltdown.  This is partly brought on, I think, over the fact that money is so tight that I can't afford to do any of the things I've done in the past to cope with the pressure: can't go out to eat to get a salad, can't get a massage, can't afford to go to yoga or the gym, can't go shopping, can't to the movies.

And I've done and am sick of the free things: walking, running, walking, cable, sorting the sock drawer, taking things to Goodwill, selling books, writing cards and letters to friends.  I no longer get pleasure out of reading, since it reminds me of my underemployment.  Talking on the phone costs money and I'm boring myself, so I know I'm boring my friends.  I even hate preparing for my classes although I'm grateful to have them.

What now - stand on my head until the phone rings?

What's worse, reviewing all the work I've done for the past six months, it seems painfully clear that if something goes to HR, I get perhaps 1-3% interviews.  Outside HR, much higher, like 70% of the time.  Of course, no offers yet from those.  But most of the postings I see go through HR.  I've read all the columns about getting your resume or CV through and nothing is working, by which I am concluding that most of the openings are not true openings; this was confirmed by a candid conversation with an HR person a week ago who stammered around before admitting that.

So while I was on a great, long tear with getting applications out, now I feel.... like Sisyphus.

Help me, forumites.  I'm usually able to keep my spirits up, but they are flagging in a big way and I've fallen into a complete lack of productivity.  I don't think I even know what I want anymore, except to run far, far away.

Sorry, meant to append this to my previous post. Alley - I am so sorry you're feeling down. I don't know if this will help, but one thing I do when feeling bad is to look at old student evaluations (nice comments only). Reading through them, I feel some of the same energy from previous classes return, and it helps me remember why I do this. (Disclaimer: I have a tt job now, so you might feel like throwing fora tomatoes at me for weighing in, but I was searching for four years before I got lucky with my current position so I do know what it is like).

That is definitely something I haven't tried, so thank you, porcupine.

[grasshopper]

I have absolutely nothing to say that will make you feel better. But remember that you can always post your angst here, and be sure that there is at least one person reading it who is not bored by what you've written.

[david_perlmutter]

Alley: I did not understand the "HR" factor in your getting interviews. Did I miss a post on that?

[abdbcb]

Hang in there Alley, it is such an endless process. I have been having a rough patch as well, too obsessed about upcoming first round of interviews and various possible futures to focus on course prep or writing. I do use 'mac freedom' (thanks fora!) to disable the internet for hours at a time, which is helpful and forces me to stay focused. I am also in the middle of frakkin nowhere, and have long since run out of diversions.
Anyway I mostly wanted to say having a meltdown is nothing to be embarrassed out - its incredibly stressful, and there are no obvious outlets. So hang in there, hopefully good news is around the corner. 

[alleyoxenfree]

Alley: I did not understand the "HR" factor in your getting interviews. Did I miss a post on that?

All I meant was, I have done a sh*tload of applications over the past few years while in a VAP post that is ending.  When I apply to something where my application can go directly to the hiring committee, my success rate in at least getting an interview is very high.  However, most of the applications must go through HR, especially for admin jobs that I'm also pursuing because there are so few postings in my teaching and research field.  And on these, it's almost impossible to get an interview.  I partly feel I'm being discriminated against for my gender and age; my name is androgynous so people expect to meet a man, especially given my field, and when they don't, they are always startled.  

This leaves me - now that I look at the dismal results of my last year or two - not knowing what to do next.  I'm wasting my time on applications for jobs that are either frozen or don't really exist.  Because I had to move to take this VAP, I don't have any group here to "network" with and this is not a big area for skilled jobs other than at the university.  I had to break open my retirement IRA because the VAP is not paying my bills, I can't afford to have my car repaired, can't afford the elective surgery I need, couldn't even afford to get my hair cut for the last round of interviews (out of which I wasn't hired but got 2 nice rejection phone calls admitting that they went with the candidate they already had but they hoped I would keep my eyes on their website for other things....blahblahblah).
I've spent so much time on applications that I can't focus on research, because it might have to be retooled anyway in the face of lack of postings in that area, death of that area, and because how can I miss a deadline when there is so little window for applying in academia?

And so on.  I'm just - having a bad day and will go focus on my classes.  

On modify: good to know others are tearing their hair out, abdbcb.  It must be planetary.

[mouseman]

Alley, sorry to hear that things are not going well for you.  But at least you're getting some nibbles, if not bites.

As for me, my applications have three stages:
1.  Not yet submitted.
2.  Submitted.
3.  Rejected.

As far as I can tell, my applications go straight from the mailbox to the trash.  My last name begins with a letter close to the end of the alphabet, so I was thinking that, perhaps to reduce the number of applications, all applicants with last names after "P" are automatically sent to "inactive".  As good explanation as any I've gotten.

On the other hand, the Mousewoman is employed, so I can always be a Kept Man.  Have to work on the foot massages, though.

[alleyoxenfree]

Alley, sorry to hear that things are not going well for you.  But at least you're getting some nibbles, if not bites.

As for me, my applications have three stages:
1.  Not yet submitted.
2.  Submitted.
3.  Rejected.

As far as I can tell, my applications go straight from the mailbox to the trash.  My last name begins with a letter close to the end of the alphabet, so I was thinking that, perhaps to reduce the number of applications, all applicants with last names after "P" are automatically sent to "inactive".  As good explanation as any I've gotten.

On the other hand, the Mousewoman is employed, so I can always be a Kept Man.  Have to work on the foot massages, though.

You put it succinctly as always, mouseman.  I will train some of my mental vibes your way and for everyone else looking in hopes that these are winter doldrums only.  I'm sure the Mousewoman knows the foot massages are worth their weight in gold!

[mouseman]

Alley, sorry to hear that things are not going well for you.  But at least you're getting some nibbles, if not bites.

As for me, my applications have three stages:
1.  Not yet submitted.
2.  Submitted.
3.  Rejected.

As far as I can tell, my applications go straight from the mailbox to the trash.  My last name begins with a letter close to the end of the alphabet, so I was thinking that, perhaps to reduce the number of applications, all applicants with last names after "P" are automatically sent to "inactive".  As good explanation as any I've gotten.

On the other hand, the Mousewoman is employed, so I can always be a Kept Man.  Have to work on the foot massages, though.

You put it succinctly as always, mouseman.  I will train some of my mental vibes your way and for everyone else looking in hopes that these are winter doldrums only.  I'm sure the Mousewoman knows the foot massages are worth their weight in gold!

Happy vibes in your direction in 3, 2, 1, BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT :-D

[alleyoxenfree]

Alley, sorry to hear that things are not going well for you.  But at least you're getting some nibbles, if not bites.

As for me, my applications have three stages:
1.  Not yet submitted.
2.  Submitted.
3.  Rejected.

As far as I can tell, my applications go straight from the mailbox to the trash.  My last name begins with a letter close to the end of the alphabet, so I was thinking that, perhaps to reduce the number of applications, all applicants with last names after "P" are automatically sent to "inactive".  As good explanation as any I've gotten.

On the other hand, the Mousewoman is employed, so I can always be a Kept Man.  Have to work on the foot massages, though.

You put it succinctly as always, mouseman.  I will train some of my mental vibes your way and for everyone else looking in hopes that these are winter doldrums only.  I'm sure the Mousewoman knows the foot massages are worth their weight in gold!

Happy vibes in your direction in 3, 2, 1, BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT :-D

Bing!  Received and back atcha, bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzblip!

[david_perlmutter]

Alley: Are you trying to go from a VAP to an administrative leadership position (Associate Dean) or an admin. Service position (Admissions recruiter)? It sounds like the HR people are striking you out for some lack of a credential or experience while SCs are looking past that. Have you had anyone on an SC comment on that?

[alleyoxenfree]

Alley: Are you trying to go from a VAP to an administrative leadership position (Associate Dean) or an admin. Service position (Admissions recruiter)? It sounds like the HR people are striking you out for some lack of a credential or experience while SCs are looking past that. Have you had anyone on an SC comment on that?

From a VAP to a TT, or failing that, I have looked at various administrative positions that interest me.  No one on a SC has made this comment, but I have had HR people say:

- their searches are frozen but I should apply anyway - these go nowhere
- I've been actively recruited by two HR people - there are 2 or 3 ways in which I am a good diversity candidate - these applications go nowhere
- told that they went with an internal hire, and it was always that kind of courtesy posting
- told that they hired someone who was a preferential rehire (previously laid off on that campus)
- told that the grants I've written weren't for enough money (not millions)
- told they went with someone who'd lived in the area longer (and committee thought had better fundraising connections)
- that the SC wanted someone with a certain major, even though it wasn't in the ad

I do think some of what you suggest is happening, that HR literalists (not all have been critters, but I find a few good thinkers and the rest.....not) may be dinging me for experience outside what they think is a conventional CV.  I do targeted resumes and letters and try not to include anything extraneous - then I sometimes switch it up and throw in the kitchen sink.  Neither approach gets me out of HR.

I don't think this is entirely personal.  When I see online who was hired - when that person crops up on their website and you can search them - I am seeing a lot of schools hiring their own grads in staff positions.  I do wonder whether schools are feeling either an unconscious need to do that, or a simple affinity with their own grads, or whether there is any internal pressure on staff hiring so that their own placement statistics will look successful.

[compdoc]

I am seeing a lot of schools hiring their own grads in staff positions.  I do wonder whether schools are feeling either an unconscious need to do that, or a simple affinity with their own grads, or whether there is any internal pressure on staff hiring so that their own placement statistics will look successful.

I would not be surprised if this were true. Also, folks know there grads are aware of the failings of the university/area and so if they want to come "home," they are more likely to stay.