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[knitting_4_sanity]

My spouse is an administrator at Fancy R1.  I'm on TT at a SLAC 2 hours away, so we keep two apartments and drive a lot.

A position was just listed in my field at above-mentioned Fancy R1.  It looks like a pretty good fit.  Hu is high enough in the food chain to get my application read, but not so high as to be able to push through a spousal hire.

Do I tell them I'm an administrator's spouse?  If so, what are your thoughts on how to phrase such a thing?

[janewales]

This is a tough call, that depends in part on how welcoming the institution in general, and the department in particular, are towards spousal hires. If there are any sensitivities, then you could find yourself _less_ likely to get a look-in, say if there's a department that would feel put-upon. On the other hand, if the institution has a pool of money to support spousal hires (some do), and clear policies about how to access that money, your application could represent a win-win situation for the target department. But you need to know more first-- could your spouse make some discreet inquiries?

[prytania3]

The fact that you're an admin spouse will probably at least get you a courtesy interview, but people don't like the spouses of admins on principle. Think spy in our midst.

You need to get your spouse to put the screws on a higher up who will put the screws on the search committee.

Ideally, you are better off applying anonymously, but that's also taking a chance. Unless, of course, you're in accounting or finance.

[untenured]

Is your SO's position in a supervisory authority over your area?  If so, this might imply special treatment.

I wouldn't mention it in my application.  There's nothing to gain from it.  You might get a courtesy interview, but if you are not qualified for the job enough to be hired, the courtesy interview does not help you anyway.  The SC members will make the connection anyway.  And only if they are left completely alone will there be no implication of political pressure.

[tuxedo_cat]

I wouldn't mention it in my application.  There's nothing to gain from it.  You might get a courtesy interview, but if you are not qualified for the job enough to be hired, the courtesy interview does not help you anyway.  The SC members will make the connection anyway.  And only if they are left completely alone will there be no implication of political pressure.

This.