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[sugia]

I applied for only one job in my field this year.  Much to my surprise, the search committee scheduled a phone interview with me for next week.  My question is whether I should tell the search committee that this is the only job I applied for.

Here's the background: I am currently a VAP at the institution where I did my PhD.  The position is most likely non-renewable.  I had decided that I would prefer a non-academic job to most of the academic jobs available in my field.  It's not that I dislike academic work--I love teaching and like research well enough--but the list of places that I'm willing to move for a job is unrealistically short.  However, there was one job in my field that seemed like a perfect fit for me, so I applied.  And now I have a phone interview.

I can think of two possible advantages to telling the SC that this is the only job for which I applied.  First, it would demonstrate my very genuine enthusiasm for this particular job.  (I don't know how useful that is, though.  The school is basically a cash-strapped compass point state university, but it's right outside a major East Coast city where I imagine lots of people would like to live, so I doubt the school has much trouble attracting good candidates.)  Second, I didn't ask my committee members to update last year's letters of recommendation because I didn't want to bother them when I was only applying for one job and because I saw the ad and applied for the job at the last minute.  I'm worried that, during the interview, I may be asked why my letters are from the fall of 2008.  (And yes, it is surprising that I was able to get to the phone interview stage with these outdated letters.)  If so, I would be tempted to explain that I saw the job ad only at the last minute, since I wasn't really following this year's job postings, and there wasn't time to get updated letters. 

The disadvantage to telling, I think, is that mentioning that I applied for only one TT job, even though I only have a temporary position, makes it sound like I'm not an entirely serious candidate.

So should I mention it?

[spyzowin]

I'd say don't do it. If you tell them that theirs is the only job you applied for, they'll think you're either a) desperate, b) fibbing, or c) crazy. The correct option, that you really thought it was a great job, won't hit their radar. I know this because I've seen it happen in the last few months. Whenever someone says something like that, eyes roll.

It's like dating. You have to be interested but not too interested. Professional but warm.

[prof_smartypants]

Don't mention it. If they DO offer you the job, you will have absolutely no bargaining power.

[sugaree]

I see no point or upside to mentioning it. Letters from fall 2008 aren't unusually old for this year's job market, so I doubt that will raise eyebrows among a SC (and since they have already scheduled a phone interview with you, slightly dated letters did not present an obstacle for you). Location is irrelevant it sounds like (according to your OP), and geography is pretty much the last thing you should talk about anyway during an interview (esp. a first stage phone interview).

Others may have different opinions on this, but from the scenario you have laid out here sugia, I would not mention it. It really doesn't matter and, at worst, it could lead to the SC devaluing your application because they know that you have no other alternative choices or schools interested in you.

[sugia]

Thank you!  I suspected that there might be other angles that I hadn't considered, and you all have pointed to several of them.  I appreciate it.  And I am much reassured by the thought that they may not see my recommendations as horribly out of date.  (I'll also get in touch with my dissertation committee members and explain the situation in case the SC contacts them for an update.)

And in the phone interview, I'll aim for enthusiasm rather than desperation.

[larryc]

No no no no no no no.

Don't do it.

[polly_mer]

And in the phone interview, I'll aim for enthusiasm rather than desperation.

This is what you want to do.  You would love, love, love to be at their institution and are thrilled at this opportunity to show what a great fit you would be.  Do not mention that theirs is the  only institution to which you applied, but you may casually mention that they are your first choice this hiring season if they ask.

[polly_mer]

Oops, that first one did go through.

For the record, Leechblock is a wonderful tool.

[luvstowrite]

No.

[spectacle]

Don't mention it. If they DO offer you the job, you will have absolutely no bargaining power.

This was my thought, exactly.

[airball]

I did, but my situation is a bit different. I'm in a tenure-track position, so have a bit more bargaining power than you might. Since I'm leaving one job for another, I didn't want them to think I'm just hop-scotching my way up the ladder and will only stay until something better comes along.

Also a main argument I made during interviews was "I'm not a malcontent trying to get out of a bad situation. I like my current job, but I want to be at your school. Period."  If saying this helps me land the job but costs me $1000 per year (yes, it adds up), I'm okay with it.

Finally, it's clear that I'd negotiate with the dean, to whom I did NOT say this. I don't see the department chair going to the dean and saying, "Hey, airball's our candidate, and you can probably low-ball him on salary."

[prytania3]

Don't tell them you only applied for one job. They'll think you are an idiot or delusional.

[eddean]

No!  Why would you?