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[braincell]

Hello everyone,

This is my second topic on the forum. In the first one I've asked if I have any chances to find a full-time job with my education (foreign).
Well... I used many priceless advises you gave me here. I applyed for 20+ positions, all in the smaller cities.
I dont know if it's a good result or not, but I was contacted by 3 colleges. I had a phone interview in one of them and I'm waiting for results.

Now, I have a hard situations with two other colleges, lets call them College 1 and College 2.

I have a campus interview in College 1 in several days. It is about 8 hours to drive, and I'm not a very confident driver yet. (I used to live in a big city with a great public transportation, so I had to learn to drive after I came to the States, at the age of 40+. So, driving there will be a stress for me by itself). The interview is in the late afternoon, and it adds the stress of the interview - in English!

I have a phone interview in College 2 in just few days, and in case I am chosen for a campus interview (I hope), it will be the next day after the interview in College 1, in another state, about 12 hours to drive from College 1.
Both interviews are in smaller cities about 2 and 2.5 hours from the airports I could use, and I just don't think I can handle it: I would spend the night for the trip and would be too tired next day.

My question is: what can I do? Is there any chance I can ask College 2 to reschedule an interview for me, or I should better just give up on College 2?

Thank you for any suggestions.

[watermarkup]

Here is some valuable advice to keep you sane while you're on the job market:

Don't worry about anything until it actually occurs.

Your scheduling problem is hypothetical, and therefore not worth worrying about. Problem solved!

Another piece of valuable advice:

Most SC members are decent human beings.

So the line you might need is, "I have a conflict with that date. Can we schedule for Thursday instead?" 90% of the time, the answer will be yes. Good luck, and stay sane.

[systeme_d_]

Watermarkup has given very good advice.

I agree 100%:

1) Don't worry about it yet.
2) If you are asked to interview on that date, just say "I have a conflict with that date.  Is there an alternative? Perhaps Thursday?"

[braincell]

Thank you both so much.

Believe me or not, I didn't even realize how anxious I was before I read your posts...
I teach 12 credits, including one new subject, which takes enourmous amount of time to get prepared, and I have another part-time job - like many adjuncts here, right?

Honestly, I never expected this job search to be so much time and emotionally consuming.
I feel and act as if I die if I don't get a full-time job this year, which is just stupid.

Thanks!

[systeme_d_]

Thank you both so much.

Believe me or not, I didn't even realize how anxious I was before I read your posts...
I teach 12 credits, including one new subject, which takes enourmous amount of time to get prepared, and I have another part-time job - like many adjuncts here, right?

Honestly, I never expected this job search to be so much time and emotionally consuming.
I feel and act as if I die if I don't get a full-time job this year, which is just stupid.

Thanks!

It is indeed a difficult and consuming process, Braincell.  Good for you for seeing that you have agency, too.  Well done!

[seniorscholar]

Both interviews are in smaller cities about 2 and 2.5 hours from the airports I could use, and I just don't think I can handle it: I would spend the night for the trip and would be too tired next day.

In case driving from the airports to the campus is what's causing the extra stress, I would point out that some/many [haven't kept statistics on reports from my more recent doctoral students on the market] smallish colleges in remote places not only pay for air fare, but send someone -- rather often a student -- to pick up the candidate at the airport and return him/her there. (The people reporting this to me rather prefer the student rather than a faculty member for the longish airport trip: less stress, and more interesting information about the department and town.)

[braincell]

In case driving from the airports to the campus is what's causing the extra stress, I would point out that some/many [haven't kept statistics on reports from my more recent doctoral students on the market] smallish colleges in remote places not only pay for air fare, but send someone -- rather often a student -- to pick up the candidate at the airport and return him/her there. (The people reporting this to me rather prefer the student rather than a faculty member for the longish airport trip: less stress, and more interesting information about the department and town.)

Thanks for the tip, Seniorscholar.
I will definitely use it if I get an interview in College 2.

For several reasons I prefer College 2, and I think I have better chances to get a job there because of my background. So, in case I get an interview there, I'll go for it.

I will ask College 1 to reschedule my interview then.
I know they have at least 2 days for interviewing; hopefully, they can do it for me.

[sagit]

In case driving from the airports to the campus is what's causing the extra stress, I would point out that some/many [haven't kept statistics on reports from my more recent doctoral students on the market] smallish colleges in remote places not only pay for air fare, but send someone -- rather often a student -- to pick up the candidate at the airport and return him/her there. (The people reporting this to me rather prefer the student rather than a faculty member for the longish airport trip: less stress, and more interesting information about the department and town.)

Thanks for the tip, Seniorscholar.
I will definitely use it if I get an interview in College 2.

For several reasons I prefer College 2, and I think I have better chances to get a job there because of my background. So, in case I get an interview there, I'll go for it.

I will ask College 1 to reschedule my interview then.
I know they have at least 2 days for interviewing; hopefully, they can do it for me.

Wait, you already have an interview scheduled with College #1, yes?  You've already agreed to days and times and that one is in "several" days?  I don't understand why you are asking College 1 to reschedule when you have already agreed to that interview.  Several days to me sounds like maybe 7-14 days.  If it was me, I would ask College #2, if and when they ask  for an interview, if they can interview me on another date. 

[zharkov]

In case driving from the airports to the campus is what's causing the extra stress, I would point out that some/many [haven't kept statistics on reports from my more recent doctoral students on the market] smallish colleges in remote places not only pay for air fare, but send someone -- rather often a student -- to pick up the candidate at the airport and return him/her there. (The people reporting this to me rather prefer the student rather than a faculty member for the longish airport trip: less stress, and more interesting information about the department and town.)

Thanks for the tip, Seniorscholar.
I will definitely use it if I get an interview in College 2.

For several reasons I prefer College 2, and I think I have better chances to get a job there because of my background. So, in case I get an interview there, I'll go for it.

I will ask College 1 to reschedule my interview then.
I know they have at least 2 days for interviewing; hopefully, they can do it for me.

Chime ++++.  Keep the actual interview you have scheduled (college 1), not the imaginary one (college 2).

PS:  Because it in not just about which college fits your background the best, but which of the applicants best fits each college's needs.

Wait, you already have an interview scheduled with College #1, yes?  You've already agreed to days and times and that one is in "several" days?  I don't understand why you are asking College 1 to reschedule when you have already agreed to that interview.  Several days to me sounds like maybe 7-14 days.  If it was me, I would ask College #2, if and when they ask  for an interview, if they can interview me on another date. 

[msparticularity]

I am curious about the scheduling issue also. How do you know that, if you get the interview with College #2, it will be the day following the one at College #1? Did the SC tell you that the date has already been set? This seems odd on any number of levels to me, given that they have no idea whether their shortlisted candidates will be available on particular dates.

Are these interviews for tenure-track or other full-time, secure faculty positions, or are they for something else?

[systeme_d_]

I will ask College 1 to reschedule my interview then.

This is NOT the advice you were given.
You already have scheduled the interview with College 1.  Do NOT ask them to reschedule it.  That would not ba appropriate, or advisable.

You were given the advice to ask College 2 to reschedule IF they ask you to interview the day after you interview at College 1.

[braincell]

I am curious about the scheduling issue also. How do you know that, if you get the interview with College #2, it will be the day following the one at College #1? Did the SC tell you that the date has already been set? This seems odd on any number of levels to me, given that they have no idea whether their shortlisted candidates will be available on particular dates.

Are these interviews for tenure-track or other full-time, secure faculty positions, or are they for something else?

Yes, they told it to me, and I was surprised, too.
Both are interviews for full-time, non tenure-track faculty positions.

[braincell]

I will ask College 1 to reschedule my interview then.

This is NOT the advice you were given.
You already have scheduled the interview with College 1.  Do NOT ask them to reschedule it.  That would not ba appropriate, or advisable.

You were given the advice to ask College 2 to reschedule IF they ask you to interview the day after you interview at College 1.

Systeme_d, when College 1 contacted me about the interview, they originally gave me an option to choose between 2 different days. I didn't know about College 2 interview then, otherwise I would have chosen the second date.
So, I thought I would call them and ask if it is still possible to choose another date. That's what I meant when I said: "I will ask College 1 to reschedule my interview then."

Do you still think it is not appropriate to do it? I'm not sure now.

Thanks for you answer, by the way, I appreciate it. I like when people talk strait and direct what they really think.

[systeme_d_]

Thank you for explaining, Braincell! 
You are quite correct -- I am often very direct in my comments!  Ha!

Given your clarification, I would say that your best option is to call School 1 immediately and ask if it is still possible to choose another date. 

If they say that it is no longer possible, then keep the interview scheduled as is, and cancel it if you are asked to interview on that day by School 2.   That will, of course, put you out of the running for the job School 1, so do prepare for that possibility.

I wish you success!