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[frenchgirl]

Found this really interesting news piece on IHE yesterday, "Too Nice to Land a Job," which I think pertains to female job seekers (and academic couples seeking dual hires) in particular:

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/11/10/letters

Playing nice, or being described as nice by referees, can have dangerous repercussions for one's career in academe, apparently. So watch out if you're the trailing spouse and are trying to wiggle your way into your partner's institution. If your partner's colleagues view you as a "caring" and "kind" team player, you just ain't gonna get the job.

Also, here's a great send-up of the piece that actually made me giggle this morning:

http://phd-onthefence.blogspot.com/2010/11/id-like-daring-b*tch-please.html

[frenchgirl]

Whoops, sorry, the link isn't going to work properly b/c it has the word "b*tch" in it. You'll have to cut and paste if you're interested.

[mouseman]

Bumping this, since it hasn't received the attention it merits.  Evidently, there is a strong element of sexism in this as well, since the terminology "caring", "nice", etc.  are more often used for women, and are part of a stereotyping of women in recommendation letters.
What's worse is that it seems that this stereotyping works, and it works on both genders.

[jungle_jane]

Well sometimes it is good to be me - i would be willing to bet that none of my letter writers describe me as 'nice' - something about my House-like bluntness I guess. ;-)

[mouseman]

Well sometimes it is good to be me - i would be willing to bet that none of my letter writers describe me as 'nice' - something about my House-like bluntness I guess. ;-)

I guess they don't call you "Jungle" Jane for nothing!

[books4jocks]

Wow, I'm screwed...

[oldfullprof]

Yeh, come off as "Pita," (prick) even if you're another aryuvedic type.  I'm a Kaffa (caring), but I always present as a Pita when looking for a job.  Vattas (creatives) really have to watch out here, because they can appear as potential victims.