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[manolo]

I've just got to vent a little, so please bear with me.

This is very similar to the thread on not hearing from an SC after you've notified them of other offers.  However, there's a slight twist in my situation.  I got two offers shortly after a campus visit two weeks ago.  All indications (based on e-mail conversation) was that an offer was coming from that particular school.  I let them know as soon as the other two offers came in, and they told me they would get back to me on yesterday. 

I know the process takes a while, but here's why I have a feeling that it's not HR or anything else holding up this process: When I met with my advisor yesterday, he told me that the SCC called him on Wednesday morning and had a long chat!  Apparently, one of the things they wanted to verify is that I would finish my dissertation by the end of the semester (fair enough).

However, this is where it gets good: they went on to have a brief discussion, where they mentioned to my advisor that I (in my teaching demo), "overwhelmed" the students, but that I was really good and they know I'd bring a lot of strength to their program, blah, blah, blah.  Okay, "overwhelmed", WTF?  He told me his sense was that they were saying I was a bit too "research-oriented" (this is mostly a teaching school where the department is in transition, by the way).  I like teaching, but ALSO like research--so what's the problem?

Now, I do recall seeing some glazed over faces in the class, but hey, that comes with the territory, right?  Plus, I was told that the students weren't really knowledgable about my subfield, but they were interested in it and that I should give them a basic introduction--which is exactly what I did.  I got lots of positive feedback from students and faculty who were in attendance. 

As the phone call came to a close, they asked my advisor all these questions, some of which included: 1) do you think Manolo would be happy here and 2) do you think Manolo would stay for more than a year if the position was accepted?

My advisor got the sense that they were satisfied with his answers, and would be making an offer soon, but I have to say, I am not going to bank on them offering me this job.

This is bizzare to me, but maybe it's common. 

[larryc]

I don't see the big deal. Apparently you overwhelmed the students in your demo (a very common occurrence, by the way) but they can see your potential and want to hire you. So they called your advisor for reassurance and hit it off with him and had a great conversation about you. All is well.

[manolo]

I see your point, larryc, but I guess I am just ready to tie this process up.  I am exhausted from interviewing, finishing the diss, among the other things that life presents.  I am sure they (the SC) are tired too, and I didn't mean to come off as complaining or anything.  I was simply curious as to if this was normal (not so much the part about finishing the diss) to ask the advisor if their advisee would be happy, etc.  My advisor did indicate that was a little unusal for him.

[pink_]

Probably they have gotten burned by other junior hires who accepted the position and then went right back out on the job market.  Once bitten, twice shy.

And I know it is hard to be patient, but sometimes it takes a while for the administration to follow up with the wishes of the SC.  Sometimes the dean might overrule a SC.  Sometimes the dean's 5 yr old daughter gets sick or s/he catches whatever is running around campus or is off-campus at some event or other . . . 

But good luck!
It sounds like the call went well.

[michigander]

Manolo,

It's absolutely normal for them to want to get a feeling for whether or not you're likely to be happy there.  Hiring a faculty member is an expenditure of time, money, energy, and emotions that people don't want to have to do over and over again because they bring in  people who leave.  It seems as if they liked you, cared enough to follow-up, and liked your advisor and what he had to say.  No guarantees, but it seems like a very positive thing for you.  If I'm reading the timing correctly, they were only running a day late when you posted which isn't bad at all.  Good luck.

[manolo]

Thanks PinkLady and Michigander....one thing I can do is try to look at it from the other angle--specifically the SC's.  I agree, it takes a lot of hard work and time to hire faculty members. 

Hiring a faculty member is an expenditure of time, money, energy, and emotions that people don't want to have to do over and over again because they bring in  people who leave. 

This is exactly the reason why I turned down one job that I was offered.  It had an awesome start-up package, but after I visited, I saw that I couldn't live in this city/state.  Many people said I should take it, and then bolt after a year.  I just didn't think that would be fair to myself, or to the faculty, staff and students in the end.

[ruralguy]

All quite common.

I have no way of course of kowing whether you overwhelmed the students, or if you were very solicitous, and they still didn't get it, or any other permutation.

But I'll chime in with previous posters and suggest that they either were about to give you an offer, or were about to give it to someone else, and wanted to be sure they made the right choice. Either way, you either got it or will come close. You'll know when you know.

[losemygrip]

You're reading too much into this.  You're just tired and grumpy from the whole process.  Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

[manolo]

You're reading too much into this.  You're just tired and grumpy from the whole process.  Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

You're so right, LMG!  But you know what, no need for the aspirin, because I've got my cosmo and I am back to putting the final touches on the diss!  Of course, I may need those aspirin in the morning, :-)

[monkeydoc]

You're reading too much into this.  You're just tired and grumpy from the whole process.  Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

You're so right, LMG!  But you know what, no need for the aspirin, because I've got my cosmo and I am back to putting the final touches on the diss!  Of course, I may need those aspirin in the morning, :-)

Sounds like you have the right attitude, Manolo. I could not have gone through the process of finishing my diss without martinis in regular doses. Cheers!

[manolo]

Sounds like you have the right attitude, Manolo. I could not have gone through the process of finishing my diss without martinis in regular doses. Cheers!

Thanks....I try to whenever possible.  And yes, you've got that right--the martinis are a real life-saver in crazy times like these!  Though, something tells me I may them even more when I start my first year on the t-track. 

[pink_]

Sounds like you have the right attitude, Manolo. I could not have gone through the process of finishing my diss without martinis in regular doses. Cheers!

Thanks....I try to whenever possible.  And yes, you've got that right--the martinis are a real life-saver in crazy times like these!  Though, something tells me I may them even more when I start my first year on the t-track. 

Oh-yeah.
Don't forget to pack the shaker.

[manolo]

Oh-yeah.
Don't forget to pack the shaker.

PinkLady, trust me, I hear you loud and clear--it's one of the first things on the packing list! :-)

[marichiweu]

The SC that eventually offered me a job had a similar conversation with my advisor. In part about finishing the dissertation, and in part "Would Marichiweu be happy in a program without PhD students?" I wasn't sure what to make of that, but the advisor felt it was their way of saying "we suspect Marichiweu has fancy ambitions, will hu stick around or take off on us?" I found it funny because as an ABD from a not-the-very-greatest university, I was thrilled to have a chance at <i>any</i> TT job. But I agree with other posters here, it seems pretty normal and just reflects their interest in you and legitimate concerns about hiring a new colleague. Good luck making your decisions!