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[bigsky]

I was once in a similar situation; in my case, though, the first-choice candidate worked out fine, but a new position opened the next year in the same department.

I made a passing mention in the first paragraph of my previous candidacy, and then in the final paragraph I made specific reference to what impressed me about the institution during my previous visit.

I got the job. And I've later come to find that there was some sort of split decision/ administrative override regarding the initial hire of the other person, and the that reason I wasn't hired the last time had something to do with my "maturity," and that I had "matured" between the first and second interview. Whatever that means. I don't really want/need to know any details beyond that at this point.

One other thing to consider is that you may have a completely different search committee this time. In my case, only the SCC was the same both times. This can work for you and/or against you.

My situation was similar to zuzu but I never got to the interview stage the second time around. Instead, they were still making their short list when I had to make a decision about another offer that came through earlier. When I asked the search chair his opinion he suggested taking the job (bird in the hand). This time around the search chair was different from the first and I truly believe if the same chair headed this one I would have been strongly encouraged to stay in the race.

[jerseyjay]

If I were the search chair and somebody called me to ask whether he should take a job that was already offered or wait to see if he might be on the short list for our job, I would probably advise him to take the offer that exists instead of waiting for the offer that might never exist. Its one thing if he were a finalist, but just one of hundreds of applicants?

But on the theme of the thread, I have been in somewhat similar positions before. It seems that I never have got a call for an interview the second time around, even if everybody seemed to really like me the first time.

That being said, I think it is appropriate to mention something in your cover letter about the first interview, in an oblique way, that shows you are even more interested. For example, mention how much you were impressed with the undergraduates who attended your teaching demonstration, or something, that shows you are more familiar with the campus and that you are still attracted by it.

You may also want to show in your cover letter that you have done all kindsof wonderful things in the last year that make you a stronger candidate than before, without saying so explicitly.

Of course, it is quite possible that if they receive many applications, and/or have a new committee, they may not even notice you.

(Last year I was a finalist for a position at a local school. I wasn't hired, but the chair called me right before the semester looking for an adjunct. Since it was near and I needed the money, I accepted. While there, I ran into one of the members of the SC, who was very nice, showing me where all the office supplies are kept and other stuff that adjuncts often don't know. Then he said, "You look familiar, have we met before...?" The point is that your application and interview is probably a bigger thing in your life than it was in the life of the SC and they may not even remember you.)

[bigsky]

If I were the search chair and somebody called me to ask whether he should take a job that was already offered or wait to see if he might be on the short list for our job, I would probably advise him to take the offer that exists instead of waiting for the offer that might never exist. Its one thing if he were a finalist, but just one of hundreds of applicants?

I misspoke (mistyped?). They were deciding who to invite for an on-site interview and I was on that short list. The year before I was one of 2 interviewed. I was told that even after the interview it would have been a few weeks before an offer was made to the successful candidate.