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[2tomato]

My partner and I are brand-new TTs in two very different subjects living far apart.  A TT job just opened up in my town (I've been checking everyday) in his subject but not in his subfield.  The job ad lists some specific subfields as being preferable, none of which are my partner's core interests. But he can teach some introductory courses in that field. So it's something like an opening in Ornithological Basketweaving while he is in Conservation Basketweaving.

My partner has a competitive CV with a degree from a prestigious institution, but obviously that might not get him a foot in the door in the first round when they're shortlisting the applications that most fit the position.  So while this is not a traditional spousal hire, I'm thinking of making some intervention.  I'm thinking of going to my Chair and telling him that I have a partner who would like to come here and that we've just seen a job open up in partner's department.  And explain that while it's not entirely in his field, he is very interested and can do some Ornithology while offering expertise in Conservation.  And then ask if it were possible to let the other dept. know.

Has anyone got any experience of a non-spousal hire but with intervention (or something like that)?  What is the perspective of the hiring department - there is no obligation to hire my partner, but this could be good for the university overall (they get to keep me and get a good scholar - this is a nice town that we both see ourselves living in).  But at what level of administration is this working at? Would it help if I applied to partner's (less desirable) university for leverage?

We're talking about arts vs science, so not the same faculty, not even close.  I know this has to do with the particular structure of my university, but if anyone has experiences of this sort of intervention, or suggestions of what to do, we'd appreciate it.  Also, partner has already planned to visit a week before the deadline for the job. Should he make himself known to the hiring dept before time, even in an informal way?  Offer to give a talk? I have more Qs but I'll let this be for now and hear your thoughts.  Thank you.

[totoro]

I don't think it can hurt to talk to your chair about what would be appropriate in the case of your particular institution.

[aprilmay]

Spousal hires are generally to get the main person of interest to come, not to please them once they arrive, so you are at a disadvantage as you have little leverage other than leaving. If you are serious about leaving if a spousal hire is not offered, then you can let people know and be prepared to leave if it doesn't happen, and to accept the general backlash of a late spousal hire request if it does.

Your partner could contact the department that is hiring to express interest and to ask to be kept in mind for any future openings, or this opening if it is a good enough match. He/she could offer to give a talk and note that travel expenses are not needed. It would be best to word this in terms of wanting to be at that department rather just wanting to be near the spouse. If at all possible, your partner should start a collaboration with someone in that department if this is a research school, and offer to help teach if it is not. This could be a seminar or a short course they teach for free. Basically, you want the department to be aware of your spouse and what they can bring to the department. Even if this job ad is not a great match, the next one may be.

I'm not sure what talking to your chair would do as there is no opening that matches your spouse at the university. You might want to think about what you are asking your chair to do. It seems unlikely they would want to convince or be able to convince the other department to want a different type of "basketweaver."

[larryc]

Talk to your chair, but it is unlikely he will have much influence. Make sure your spouse explains, near the end of his cover letter, the reasons for wanting to move to your town.

[2tomato]

Thank you all. You've given me something to think about.  I might still approach the Chair to ask him about advice (and on what would be appropriate, thanks totoro). It does feel weird doing this just one month into the TT though - it will alert him that I might be looking to leave every year. It is also too early to prove myself and my value in the dept - that I want to stay and am happy and willing to be a team player.  I also don't know if I will use this as a chance to tell him that the flipside is that I will be applying for jobs there. I.e. go through with a spousal-hire bargaining scenario. There is just so much potential unpleasantness at the outset of my appointment here that I'd rather avoid.

Maybe I'll keep it low on my end this year and have the partner work on getting through to the other side - what aprilmay suggested - offer to talk, indicate interest for future positions. And definitely, as larryc said, put down the reason to move on the cover letter.

[zharkov]

I also don't know if I will use this as a chance to tell him that the flipside is that I will be applying for jobs there. I.e. go through with a spousal-hire bargaining scenario.

Not a good idea, particularly since you are new and they've put a lot of time and energy into getting you on board.

Back to the matter at hand, professional people network all the time.  That is what you are doing.  Just matter of factly ask the chair about your spouse applying and request or suggest that he/she contact the other department so that the application is noticed. 

An unwritten policy in many organizations -- business and academic -- is to look favorably on hiring "friends and family," as long as no nepotism is involved.

[aprilmay]

I agree with zharkov that it may not be a good idea to tell your department you are looking to leave unless you are really mean it and will leave without a spousal hire. So it's fine to let them know you plan to leave, but then they will start to plan on you leaving. This really depends on what a hotshot you are. If we hired someone at the tt level and they were looking to leave within the first year, we'd probably let them go unless they were a super hotshot. There are many excellent people looking for jobs who would be glad to fill your current position. Your department is going to wonder why you didn't ask about this when you were hired and what they are supposed to do about it as your spouse would need to be hired in another department. There's also the risk of what happens if you don't get lots of offers. Telling people you plan to leave and then not following up with information on the offers just lets people know that you are applying and not getting an offer. This is why, in general, people alert their department to outside offers, not applications. Good luck.

[boringmember]

I don't think you need to threaten to leave.  Ostensibly, your chair knows that you are married and don't live together.  In that case, it should be obvious that you're trying to get positions in the same city.  So you can just tell your chair that you saw the position and ask if there's an office or something that helps with this sort of thing (there probably isn't, but that is a nonthreatening way to ask for help)

[2tomato]

Thanks, bm. We are not married, and I've never mentioned my marital/single status to my Chair, and he has never asked.

[aprilmay]

If you are in a same-sex relationship, then your marrital status will often be considered irrelevant with respect to spousal hires. If you are unmarried and not in a same-sex relationship, the chances of any consideration for your partner are very small.

[boringmember]

Thanks, bm. We are not married, and I've never mentioned my marital/single status to my Chair, and he has never asked.

Oh that is tougher.  I've always been in places where they have "getting to know you" type social events so they know these things.  I still think it doesn't hurt to say how much you love it there, say that you have a partner who's applying and asking if there's an office or something.  Just be non-threatening ;).

[tuxedo_cat]

I don't quite understand why this isn't a simple "say absolutely nothing and do your own job" scenario.  Your partner applies for the job, indicates briefly his interest in area and that's it.  There isn't much else to do. 

Unless you are a superstar and you are certain that your department will hand you the moon in order to keep you there, I would keep your private life private for now.  You know nothing about your new department and how people are treated, so it is really best to simply hold your cards to your chest for at least the first semester.