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[praise_of_folly]

I'm interested in applying for an administrative position promoting an international studies program in a business school. The position announcement asks for the letters to be sent directly to the program director, who I know personally. I am wondering if I should: (1) apply to the position, and then ask the program director for a meeting; (2) or email the director to discuss the position before applying. (3) A third option would be to apply to the position and not try to arrange a meeting (e.g. if requesting a meeting seems too forward).

Thanks for your suggestions!

[praise_of_folly]

In other words, if you have an acquaintance, but not a strong relationship with the party doing the hiring, how should you use it when applying for a job.

Thanks again!

POF

[jmargerum]

I'm interested in applying for an administrative position promoting an international studies program in a business school. The position announcement asks for the letters to be sent directly to the program director, who I know personally. I am wondering if I should: (1) apply to the position, and then ask the program director for a meeting; (2) or email the director to discuss the position before applying. (3) A third option would be to apply to the position and not try to arrange a meeting (e.g. if requesting a meeting seems too forward).

Thanks for your suggestions!

I wouldn't recommend asking for a meeting.  It runs the risk of sounding like you're trying to have undue influence and it may put a strain on the relationship.

Jon

[chronanon]

If you ask for a meeting first just to learn about what they're looking for and whether it would make sense for you to apply, that's something he(she?) could reasonably agree to.  If you ask for a meeting after the application is submitted, then you've put him/her in a bad position.  After the app is submitted, the best you can really ask is for the director to make sure they take a look at your application and that it doesn't fall through the cracks.

[praise_of_folly]

Thanks Jon and Chronanon for your suggestions. I can see both perspectives, but am leaning towards Chronanon's idea of requesting a meeting to explore fit before applying for the position. If there isn't a good fit, I at least let the director know of my interest in the program, and leave the door open for us to collaborate in other ways.

I would be curious to know what others think. Thanks again for your suggestions

[simplesimon]

It sounds as though you have made up your mind. 

I was going to add that your decision about requesting a meeting should turn on how well you know the director.  If this is someone you routinely see at campus functions (meetings, socials, holiday parties, etc.) by all means reach out to her with a few questions and to express your potential interest.  Good luck.

[infopri]

Thanks Jon and Chronanon for your suggestions. I can see both perspectives, but am leaning towards Chronanon's idea of requesting a meeting to explore fit before applying for the position. If there isn't a good fit, I at least let the director know of my interest in the program, and leave the door open for us to collaborate in other ways.

I would be curious to know what others think. Thanks again for your suggestions

I agree with chronanon, but only if you know this person reasonably well (well enough, for example, to invite him or her out for lunch).  I don't mean you have to be friends, but I'd be less likely to contact him or her if I met him or her once for three minutes at a university function two years ago and s/he barely remembers me.

And simplesimon is right, if you're likely to bump into this person through the ordinary course of business, you can use that occasion to express your interest ("Hey, guess what--I'm thinking of applying for that position.  What do you think?" or "Can you tell me more about what they're looking for, because I'm trying to decide whether I should apply" or something like that) and see how s/he responds.  If you get a blase "that's nice" reaction, you let it go and apply (or not) as if you didn't have the contact (because, essentially, you don't).  If the person reacts more favorably, you can take the conversation further and see where it leads.

Good luck, either way.