tandem
Junior member
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« on: February 09, 2010, 12:17:19 PM » |
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I could not effectively bend the search function to my will, so I apologize if this question has been addressed numerous times before...
On the university web site of a school in an extremely attractive city, late in the TT hiring season in my discipline, I found an extremely quick posting-to-due-date listing for a TT position more or less in my field. The posting went up in early February, and the deadline is mid-February -- just over a week of open time. The job was not posted on any of the usual lists outside the institution.
I would fit in fabulously with the department and would never ever leave, although I am not a precise match for the position as listed. Is this a clear inside-candidate-they-absolutely-love situation? Is it worth my time to crank out an application?
I'm aware, of course, that I will not get the job if I don't apply. But I'm application-weary as they come right now, and if no one thinks this is an actually-available job I will feel happy not to waste half a day and any of my remaining droplets of self-confidence.
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eddyman
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« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2010, 12:29:52 PM » |
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How can anyone from this forum know for sure what are the intentions of the search committee? For that reason you should apply. Cranking out another application is hardly that much of a bother and may actually lead to a job. I don't think anyone in this market has the luxury to whine about putting together an application.
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doctormom
New member
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« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2010, 01:01:15 PM » |
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The fact that they posted only on their website does suggest that they're planning to hire a particular person, but of course no hire is certain until the contract is signed. Sending out applications that seem to have no life in them is simply part of the process, so you should certainly apply. Your application may have life in it that you can't foresee right now. They'll know who you are and that you're interested in the school, and--if you're not stretching too much to fit the job description--they may remember you positively in the future at the very least.
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madhatter
We proudly present the fora's Least
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Just killing time
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« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2010, 01:37:24 PM » |
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It's also possible that they are posting it elsewhere, but the person responsible for getting the listing out to the Chronicle, professional societies, Insidehighered, etc. is slower than the person who sticks it up on the internal website.
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"I may be an evil scientist, but it doesn't take a degree purchased from the Internet with your ex-wife's money to know how special and important you are to me." -- Dr. Doofenschmirtz
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quest
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« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2010, 04:03:05 PM » |
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Sadly - we had a short app deadline on our ad because HR was so slow giving us approval for the ad, that by the time we had permission to put it up there was only a week or two before the due date. I understand this has happened a lot because people wanted to make sure they had the money before putting out an ad rather than having a search and having to void it.
So don't lose hope if they haven't called yet - we're still reviewing applications.....
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2010, 04:09:44 PM » |
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They are anticipating a hiring freeze and trying to get a hire done under a very tight deadline.
Or something else. Apply.
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tandem
Junior member
Posts: 68
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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2010, 04:22:00 PM » |
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Cranking out another application is hardly that much of a bother and may actually lead to a job. I don't think anyone in this market has the luxury to whine about putting together an application.
Perhaps. I am not whining, though. I am trying to cope reasonably well with this market by figuring out whether my time and energy -- limited of commodities -- are better spent getting closer to another article in the pipeline. I think this kind of calculus is necessary right now. My limited experience has led me to believe that, in this market, real "reach" applications are a true waste of time. This year I have been short-listed for about half of the positions for which I am truly extremely well-qualified and for which I painstakingly tailor my job materials, and have had no response from any reach positions. Two years ago (when I was ABD and in other ways less qualified, but the market was kinder), I got some love from the reach apps...and I have never had any love using the scattershot "insert-uni-names-into-stock-letter" method, so good apps that stand a chance seem to take me at least a half day to put together. Maybe others have found otherwise, and maybe other fields are more forgiving of standardized materials. In any case, I'm convinced by you all that this position is probably worth the effort -- it could be an admin snafu that caused the timing situation, etc. -- all this makes sense to me. And it's a wonderful job so ok ok - I'm in. Thanks for the advice. I'll send you all nice bottles of bourbon if it works out. (really, I will.) |
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categorical
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« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2010, 04:33:28 PM » |
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I've been wondering about these, too. It seems that there have been more of them this year.
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watermarkup
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« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2010, 08:38:07 PM » |
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I've seen this where there were Visa issues involved, or where an instructor needs to be promoted to a lecturer, or something like that which require HR hoops to be jumped through. But if you fit the ad, apply. Then find out who the inside candidate is and call in a mob hit.
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kunsthistorikerin
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« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2010, 10:32:55 PM » |
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For what it's worth, I had a phone interview last week with a place where I think the current VAP will have the job in the end. I almost didn't apply because I was so sure, applied anyway in a very "why not" kind of way, and almost fell out of my chair when I got the interview. I don't know yet if I've made it to the next step, and I still think the VAP has the edge, but it was a great interview experience, I enjoyed talking to these great people, and I learned a lot (in a humbling yet pleasant way) from fielding their questions.
And who knows? Maybe their VAP will take something else -- that's what the forum reminded me when I asked my question here. I'd be thrilled to step in as the Plan B, believe me.
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divingmusician
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« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2010, 10:40:50 PM » |
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Perhaps because schools know SO MANY people are looking they are keeping super short deadlines so only those really ready and excited apply, so they only have 150 instead of 600 applications to sort?
APPLY!
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eddyman
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« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2010, 10:46:03 PM » |
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Cranking out another application is hardly that much of a bother and may actually lead to a job. I don't think anyone in this market has the luxury to whine about putting together an application.
Perhaps. I am not whining, though. I am trying to cope reasonably well with this market by figuring out whether my time and energy -- limited of commodities -- are better spent getting closer to another article in the pipeline. I think this kind of calculus is necessary right now. My limited experience has led me to believe that, in this market, real "reach" applications are a true waste of time. This year I have been short-listed for about half of the positions for which I am truly extremely well-qualified and for which I painstakingly tailor my job materials, and have had no response from any reach positions. Two years ago (when I was ABD and in other ways less qualified, but the market was kinder), I got some love from the reach apps...and I have never had any love using the scattershot "insert-uni-names-into-stock-letter" method, so good apps that stand a chance seem to take me at least a half day to put together. Maybe others have found otherwise, and maybe other fields are more forgiving of standardized materials. In any case, I'm convinced by you all that this position is probably worth the effort -- it could be an admin snafu that caused the timing situation, etc. -- all this makes sense to me. And it's a wonderful job so ok ok - I'm in. Thanks for the advice. I'll send you all nice bottles of bourbon if it works out. (really, I will.) Tandem, Sorry, if I came off as a little harsh and my point about whining was not really directed at you. I'm just surprised to see a number of people here and elsewhere complaining about "wasted applications" and the trouble they have putting together applications for jobs they probably won't get. I know from experience that this is not an easy process but I'd suggest that in this market people need to put in more effort rather than less. What I meant to convey to applicants is that you shouldn't let past disappointments discourage you from applying for other jobs. Best of luck |
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yellowtractor
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« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2010, 10:55:46 PM » |
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It's also possible that they are posting it elsewhere, but the person responsible for getting the listing out to the Chronicle, professional societies, Insidehighered, etc. is slower than the person who sticks it up on the internal website.
The best academic job I ever had came from just such a circumstance. Because of the minuscule application window and the low visibility of the ad, I assumed there was an inside candidate. I applied anyway, because I was desperate and because one more application at that point was pretty easy to throw together. None of my job-hunting friends applied, because they felt certain there was no real sense in wasting their time/money/self-esteem. Turned out a new warm body in HR had completely bungled the job listing. There was no inside candidate. I got the job. |
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« Last Edit: February 09, 2010, 10:56:41 PM by yellowtractor »
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i think is good for every one only the think is that we will always scares about that. |
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2010, 11:11:37 PM » |
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How long does it take to tweak your aplication letter and send off a packet? An hour? Do it.
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ls410
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« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2010, 08:34:05 AM » |
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This happened to me late last year and I posted with similar worries/questions. The ad did eventually get posted very widely so I was making up all kinds of inside hire stories for nothing. As everyone says, you can't get the job if you don't apply. And we've probably all met an inside candidate who didn't get the job - happened to 2 of my friends in VAP positions.
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