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[_mara_]

...a few colleagues have made it known that they would like me to apply for positions at their universities.

I am really, really honored that they would consider me and their programs (social sciences) range from good to excellent. I would be proud to be a member of the faculty at either university and I'm flattered that they both approached me before the ad has been placed.

The problem is that I don't want to live in either one of the cities where the universities are located. I know one better than the other (it's my hometown). The campus on which I work is heading in a pretty bad direction, so I'm pretty confident that need to jump ship. The problem is that the city I live in now is amazing; the people are great. I love it here. To relocate will be hard; to relocate to a city that I don't like would be excruciating.

What is the etiquette for this type of thing? Do I apply anyway because academic jobs are so hard to come by? Apply, but decline an interview/position if it is in fact offered? I don't want to offend anyone, as these folks mean a lot to me and have been really helpful with my career.

Thank you in advance--

Trix

[marlborough]

It's time for some serious soul searching.

You are considering leaving your current campus because of problems (are they survivable or would they create a situation that outweights living in a place that you love?)

Often, the colleagues making the offer may not be part of the search committe, or they are doing this as a flattering, but ultimately powerless gesture.  Take these as someone pointing out an opportunity to you rather than anything more meaningful.

Don't apply for or accept interviews for jobs that you know you won't take (because of any set reason, including hating the location).  If you think that seeing a really nice department, or more familiarity with the area might change you mind, go ahead.  Otherwise, you are wasting your time and theirs.  You can be perfectly nice and decline the encouragement by saying how much you love your current location (which is mostly true, if not the job part).

[august_leo]

Do I apply anyway because academic jobs are so hard to come by?

I think you apply. Because:
1. They might wonder why you didn't.
2. You have someone on your side already.
3. If you get an interview you might realize you like it there.
4. You wouldn't be working in a vacuum (i.e., have at least 1 goo colleague).
5. You have to write your letter, CV, statement, etc already, so just print out 2 more copies.

Most people have to relocate from grad school to faculty position.

[red_queen]

Allow me to second Marlborough. It's customary in when there's a job opening for members of the department or institution to send word to friends, colleagues, and acquaintances and invite them to apply. I wouldn't read too much in to this, and certainly sending in an application isn't an issue of manners.

[_mara_]

Thank you for your advice.

I do think I will apply, as it looks as if I'm snubbing their universities if I don't. Please don't get me wrong: I'm not. Both schools have opportunities that I don't have on my campus. Both schools are better-known than my regional campus of a R1.

I don't know if my colleagues will be part of the search committees, but my hunch is that they will be. One is the interim chair and a senior faculty member in the program I would be applying to; the other is the director of the program I would be applying to and a big name in my field. In any case, we shall see.

I wish I were the type to bloom where I'm planted. I'm not. The city I live in now is the first place I've been able to really call home. I admire people who makes lives for themselves wherever they go. It's harder for me to do that. Here I have friends, gorgeous scenery, and membership in a community I love. However, my campus is going downhill (without going into too many details) and a lot of people are looking elsewhere.

[drsyn]

Thank you for your advice.

I do think I will apply, as it looks as if I'm snubbing their universities if I don't. Please don't get me wrong: I'm not. Both schools have opportunities that I don't have on my campus. Both schools are better-known than my regional campus of a R1.

I don't know if my colleagues will be part of the search committees, but my hunch is that they will be. One is the interim chair and a senior faculty member in the program I would be applying to; the other is the director of the program I would be applying to and a big name in my field. In any case, we shall see.

I wish I were the type to bloom where I'm planted. I'm not. The city I live in now is the first place I've been able to really call home. I admire people who makes lives for themselves wherever they go. It's harder for me to do that. Here I have friends, gorgeous scenery, and membership in a community I love. However, my campus is going downhill (without going into too many details) and a lot of people are looking elsewhere.

Hope you are working to make things better then.  Otherwise it looks like you are going down with the ship.

[yellowtractor]

Trixie, I think the same protocol for regular job apps applies here, to wit:  If you can imagine any set of circumstances under which you might accept the job if offered, apply.  If you truly cannot imagine any such set of circumstances, do not apply--you are wasting everyone's time.  But if there is even the remotest possibility you might actually be willing to move, there's no harm in putting you shingle out.  (Or in.  Whatever.)

Do keep in mind that if you do apply, and your friends/colleagues shepherd your application along only to have you blow them off later, you will potentially be doing more damage than if you politely decline now.

Even if your friends are on the SC, that's no guarantee of getting the job.  I've been a finalist so far in two searches where my application was solicited--in one case my friend/contact was on the SC, in the other case not--and somebody else got the job.  In one of those cases I had decided during the campus interview that there was no way I would take  the job if offered, so I was really, really glad when it went to another candidate!