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[tijuanafina]

So my recent interview went well, and they ended by telling me to keep them up to date about where I was in the job process as things progressed.

What does this mean exactly?

Do I tell them all of my other interviews, where and with whom, etc.?

What kind of info are they interested in?

I thought I was the one waiting to hear from them!

Thank you.

[larryc]

It is either 1) some boilerplate that they say to everyone as a matter of course, or 2) a strong indication that they have all but decided to hire you and want to be sure they don't lose out to another institution. The fun thing is that it could be either one and you have absolutely no way to know.

Good luck, and don't let the job search make you crazy.

[systeme_d_]

We always ask everyone who interviews with us to keep us updated with the progress of their job search.

This means that if they get another offer, we'd like them to let us know, so that we can either speed up our process and make an offer too, or if the person decides to take that offer, we can add another applicant to our shortlist.

[drnobody]

They only want to know if you got another offer--nothing else. Whether out of politeness or to know and counteroffer, as Larry said, you don't know, but they don't want to know anything else generally (unless maybe you get a book accepted tomorrow or something huge).

[seniorscholar]

We always ask everyone who interviews with us to keep us updated with the progress of their job search.

This means that if they get another offer, we'd like them to let us know, so that we can either speed up our process and make an offer too, or if the person decides to take that offer, we can add another applicant to our shortlist.

This is also what we mean.

[westcoastgirl]

I interviewed for a postdoc and they began and closed the conversation with this statement. I'm assuming that many of the candidates are also interviewing at TT positions as well. I have nothing to "let them know" so I haven't been in touch.

[imawakenow]

We always ask everyone who interviews with us to keep us updated with the progress of their job search.

This means that if they get another offer, we'd like them to let us know, so that we can either speed up our process and make an offer too, or if the person decides to take that offer, we can add another applicant to our shortlist.

This is also what we mean.

Same here.

OP: I wouldn't feel a need to update the SC unless you receive another offer.

[lyndonparker]

We always ask everyone who interviews with us to keep us updated with the progress of their job search.

This means that if they get another offer, we'd like them to let us know, so that we can either speed up our process and make an offer too, or if the person decides to take that offer, we can add another applicant to our shortlist.

This is also what we mean.

Same here.

OP: I wouldn't feel a need to update the SC unless you receive another offer.

Same at my SLAC.

[prof_ig]

At the end of a recent campus interview, the SCC asked me to keep him updated on my search as other SCCs have done. However, he also mentioned that we should have a conversation and "touch base" at least once between my interview and the time when the committee makes their decision (I was the first candidate to interview and the final decision was not expected for about a month after my interview). How should I approach this conversation? I have already sent a thank you and want to be sure to convey my continued interest in the position, but I am not really sure what would be best. I don't have any offers at this point, but I do have an upcoming campus interview and may be able to stay at my VAP for another year.

[systeme_d_]

Does the SC Chair who wants to "touch base" (?) know you have an upcoming interview elsewhere?  If so, that's probably what he's asking.  He wants to know how your other interview goes.

Personally, I don't think its any of his business until his department makes you an offer.

[scampster]

Does the SC Chair who wants to "touch base" (?) know you have an upcoming interview elsewhere?  If so, that's probably what he's asking.  He wants to know how your other interview goes.

Personally, I don't think its any of his business until his department makes you an offer.

So I agree that it isn't any of their business if you have other interviews if they haven't made you an offer.

But what do you do when you are asked this? The SCC explicitly said "Do you have other interviews? We would like to know so we can expedite the process if necessary." I told them the truth, which is that I was in the phone interview stage, but didn't have any campus interviews scheduled, but I didn't like answering the question. If you say "no" then (a) I imagine some level of your desirability unconsciously goes down in their eyes and (b) they know you probably don't have any leverage in negotiating. It seems like they are forcing you to show your hand. Is there any way to gracefully escape that question?

[zuzu_]

Does the SC Chair who wants to "touch base" (?) know you have an upcoming interview elsewhere?  If so, that's probably what he's asking.  He wants to know how your other interview goes.

Personally, I don't think its any of his business until his department makes you an offer.

So I agree that it isn't any of their business if you have other interviews if they haven't made you an offer.

But what do you do when you are asked this? The SCC explicitly said "Do you have other interviews? We would like to know so we can expedite the process if necessary." I told them the truth, which is that I was in the phone interview stage, but didn't have any campus interviews scheduled, but I didn't like answering the question. If you say "no" then (a) I imagine some level of your desirability unconsciously goes down in their eyes and (b) they know you probably don't have any leverage in negotiating. It seems like they are forcing you to show your hand. Is there any way to gracefully escape that question?

First of all, a phone interview IS an interview, and in your situation, I don't think it would have been dishonest to say that you had an interview. Of course you wouldn't lie if they specifically asked if you had a campus interview.

[imawakenow]

First of all, a phone interview IS an interview, and in your situation, I don't think it would have been dishonest to say that you had an interview. Of course you wouldn't lie if they specifically asked if you had a campus interview.

Actually, I would probably lie especially if asked directly.

To me, asking a candidate if he or she has other interviews isn't really appropriate, because the answer doesn't give the SC any additional useful information (other than if others like the candidate also) and it puts the candidate in an awkward position of lying, revealing positive or negative information, etc.

That's why I like the more common, "Let us know of your progress" or more explicitly "Please contact us if you receive another offer."