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[amlithist]

The wheels turn slowly here, drangie.  We both interviewed this past Monday afternoon.  I wondered if I was in trouble when mine started 5 minutes late and I was done 40 minutes early, and hers took a bit over the allotted hour.   One of the SC members told me the next day (off the record, of course), "You done good, kid!"  I mentioned my concerns, and he said, "well, you hit everything we threw at you out of the park.  We have to get our recommendations to the dean by Thursday [today], and we have only strengths for you, and mainly for her, too, but we also had some concerns about her."  So we'll see. 

Yes, it's probably unprofessional that I even asked this person about my concerns, and I swear I wasn't fishing for information beyond just "did I blow it?"  But we're a relatively small dept., and I've been very friendly for the five years I've been here with 4 of the 5 people on the SC (and I sat on the SC for the other one).  I will say, it was kind of odd being interviewed by people I know so well, and I mentioned that at the time, but it was really a nice, relaxed interview.   No BS, no posturing, just some serious, earnest, honest conversation about what needs to be done and how, if offered the job, I'd do it--pretty refreshing for an interview. 

At this point, I honestly don't care one way or the other--I'd love to have the job, but if I don't get it, my world won't come to an end.  Maybe the fact that I'm off for a few weeks before my online summer classes start have mellowed me out!  (In all seriousness, this is the first break I've had in about 3 years; every other summer and Christmas break has been taken up with drama with my sick mom, with various "crises" of some degree or another with my kids, etc.  I feel absolutely lazy and decadent, and I could get used to this!)

[science_expat]

Sounds like a good interview and I'm glad you're so satisfied with the way it goes, and can live with either outcome.

I'm in an acting position and will have to interview in a couple of months - am hoping it's as pleasant and forthright as what you describe...

[drangie]

Let us know what happens, ok?

[amlithist]

I interviewed with the dean yesterday, which was actually very nice.  She was my cheerleader when I got hired FT five years ago and has been a good mentor and friend since, though of course we've been more distant since she's been dean (she has a lot more to do these days!).  We had a really nice talk, and she asked me some tough questions, but I gave honest answers that were very much in line with what she wanted to hear.  The other candidate also talked to the dean yesterday, and she interviewed with the evil VP today; I see the evil VP tomorrow.  We'll see how it goes.  I really, really hope I get it, but if I don't, the sun will still rise and I'll still have a job and life will go on.  :-)

[dellaroux]

Quail not in the face of evil.

Best wishes!

[drangie]

I see the evil VP tomorrow.  We'll see how it goes.

And . . . .?

[amlithist]

The VP interview went really, really well.   I said some things that may not have been 100% PC but that needed to be said, and the VP was surprisingly open to hearing my position on them.  'Course, she could just be good at having a poker face, but I don't think so; the dean was also in the room, at the VP's request, and the dean told me later that she thought I did exceptionally well.  As we left the room, VP said, "I want to talk to the Dean and the President; you should hear from us on Monday or Tuesday." 

Late Fri. p.m., the dean called me--the VP is out of town this week and forgot to tell the dean/me.  So, hurry up and wait.  ::sigh::

[amlithist]

Update:  the dean called LAST night--now we're looking at June 22-24 as the first possible date for a decision; seems everybody's going on vacation/some such until then.

Gee, it's nice to know that this is such a priority for all involved in actually MAKING the DECISION.  An omen of things to come, I'm sure.

[amlithist]

Yet another update:

After playing phone tag with my Dean Thursday & Friday, now the other candidate and I have to go through three MORE interviews/meetings--count 'em, THREE!  The first is individually, with the dean; the next is the two of us candidates with the dean; the third is with the Evil VP (I don't know if it's alone or the two of us).  WTF?????

I'll guaran-damn-tee you no other chair in this system has had to go through FIVE meetings to get the chair.  What the hell is going on?  I've been talking with the other candidate--and our friendship is still good--and we both agreed (1) that we're insulted and infuriated and are very, very near to saying "thanks, but screw you very much--NO" and (2) we like and trust our dean enough that we're each going to go to the first meeting with her to see WTF is up.  

Oy.  And did I mention?:  WTF????

Edit:  I'm currently reading The No-a**hole Rule.  WHY do I think some of that is going to come out in my conversation with the Dean?  Thank goodness she's cool and will likely agree.

[diefluffykitty]

WTF indeed--this is most irregular. Given that you are applying for a management position, working directly under these people, I wonder if it would not be appropriate to ask them what is going on? There may be an innocuous explanation that I can't think of right now...

[amlithist]

Yes, the one saving grace--and the main reason I'd even consider taking the chair in the first place--is that I have a good working relationship and a friendship with my dean.  SO in that next meeting, my first question ("off the record" of course) is going to be, "WTF?"  She'll laugh, I'm sure.

[parispundit]

Personally, I think you and the other candidate should insist on a preliminary meeting with the Dean TOGETHER to ask for an explanation of this procedure, and if it is not satisfactory, announce then and there you are withdrawing from the process.

If, as is most likely, this the result some EVIL ONE desired, it will save you time on the way to the inevitable.

[drangie]

Wow. Curiouser and curiouser.

[terpsichore]

That's a lot of interviews for a chair position. I've never heard of anything quite like that. Let us know how it goes.

[amlithist]

That's a lot of interviews for a chair position. I've never heard of anything quite like that. Let us know how it goes.

Yeah, you'd think after all that, one of us would come out being Pope, or Queen, or something better than just a lousy dept. chair, wouldn't you?  :-p