teamplayer150
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Posts: 6
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« on: June 29, 2010, 08:36:19 PM » |
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So my partner's cousin's partner (who I know better than the Space Balls-like description would suggest) has encouraged me to apply for very nice position in the department (at another institution) where hu is a staff member. I think I will. Question: Do I mention in the cover letter that hu encouraged me to apply?
If I don't mention it, it wouldn't be in order to hide the connection, but just not to make a big deal of it, because it's not a big deal. And because hu doesn't have any pull, I don't want to mention it in a way that makes the search committee think that I think hu does have pull. That would come across to them as silly.
On the other hand, I don't want to look like I'm trying to hide something.
What to do? Advice?
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testingthewaters
...because the waters are shark infested
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Posts: 3,446
You are getting sleepy....
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« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2010, 08:41:09 PM » |
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Don't put this in a cover letter. No matter how you phrase it, it'll look like you're trying to get in the back door. If you want to make sure this is disclosed beforehand (though I'm not sure why you would want to- why would an SC care about you "hiding" this relationship?), get your cousin's nephew's wife's neigbor's dogsitter to mention that they encouraged you to apply.
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« Last Edit: June 29, 2010, 08:42:22 PM by testingthewaters »
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I'm not really here. I'm in an alternate universe of productivity. ~fifthyear
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teamplayer150
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« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2010, 08:45:19 PM » |
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Great idea, testing.
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der_gadfly
SSOB-hatin', snarklet-writin'
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oy vey
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« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2010, 08:05:30 AM » |
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I would not volunteer the information, but if it came up, I would give it passing attention: "Oh, I first heard about the opportunity through an acquaintance." then STFU unless they pry. Honestly, some places are pretty rigid about the appearance of nepotism (on paper anyway), so it is best not to bring it up.
But good luck!
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(and I bow before der_gadfly) Don't forget, that cat hair can come in handy as a good luck charm! |
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digger
Itinerant ne'er-do-well and scurrilous
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« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2010, 08:50:15 AM » |
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There is also the possibility one or more of the search committee is not fond of your colleague...
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teamplayer150
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« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2010, 12:59:54 PM » |
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True. But there's no way around that, right? If I don't indicate anything and neither does my contact there, then it might appear that I'm trying to hide some connection, no?
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testingthewaters
...because the waters are shark infested
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,446
You are getting sleepy....
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« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2010, 01:20:10 PM » |
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Why would it matter that you're trying to hide the connection? I guess if your nephew's mailmain's first cousin once removed was on the SC, it would matter, but otherwise?
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I'm not really here. I'm in an alternate universe of productivity. ~fifthyear
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teamplayer150
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« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2010, 01:46:43 PM » |
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I suppose it doesn't matter. I'm just extra-sensitive to issues of transparency. I don't like to appear to be hiding anything.
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msparticularity
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« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2010, 07:46:47 PM » |
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Typically, nepotism laws require only that family relationships be disclosed--not even friends, and certainly not distant connections. Also, you mention that this individual is a staff member, which leads me to believe that they will have nothing at all to do with the hiring process. There truly is no transparency issue here.
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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teamplayer150
New member
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« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2010, 09:13:01 AM » |
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That's reassuring, Msparticularity.
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