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[otherwise]

Dear Forumites,

It is not infrequent to read on British job ads that the application must be completed on-line and "informal inquiries" may be submitted to the department head. I was just wondering what these "informal inquiries" usually refer to. Thank you.

[theblondeassassin]

Dear Forumites,

It is not infrequent to read on British job ads that the application must be completed on-line and "informal inquiries" may be submitted to the department head. I was just wondering what these "informal inquiries" usually refer to. Thank you.

In my experience, informal inquiries should include questions such as : "I have been working for the last twenty years as a bank teller, can I apply for a professorship in corporate finance?", or, "I don't have UK citizenship as specified in your advertisement, but my wife's third cousin's sister was married to a Scot, does this count?", or "Could I commute from the US/Turkey/the Philippines if I took the position?".

Unfortunately, these (narrowly-disguised) applicants did not and proceeded to full application. 

[babbinacara]

Or, "will so-and-so, my nemesis, be on the Search Committee?" Or "what is the leave policy?" Don't ask these, nor should you briefly describe yourself (even if not a bank teller) and ask whether you should apply. The HoD cannot answer that, however tempting it would be.

Alternatively, try quite reasonable Qs about aspects that are not in the advert, such as student numbers, internal research fund availability, cross-faculty teaching opportunities, etc.

[expatinuk]

And parking.... don't forget to ask about parking...

[wegie]

And parking.... don't forget to ask about parking...

Ha! Unless you're coming in at professorial level, there isn't any!

[mleok]

A senior applicant might make an "informal inquiry" to see if there might be interest in a person with their expertise before making a formal application.

[science_expat]

And parking.... don't forget to ask about parking...

Ha! Unless you're coming in at professorial level, there isn't any!

Special parking privileges for Professors? Where? Are they hiring?

[expatinuk]

And parking.... don't forget to ask about parking...

Ha! Unless you're coming in at professorial level, there isn't any!

Special parking privileges for Professors? Where? Are they hiring?

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