Here’s some background. I don’t want to sound as if I am bragging, but I want to list what I think are my strengths. I’ve been an adjunct for several years and did everything they asked earning good reviews from students and the past Chair. When the department lost a person due to retirement I took over in a term position and am carrying an overload of classes. I have put in time doing service work even though it was not required. My publication record is good, included a well-received book, as well as articles and reviews. I should have another book contract in hand before I am interviewed and have several pieces “in press” right now.
I am older than the normal new job candidate because I had a career outside of academia before returning to teach. My previous jobs have been useful because I gained a lot of experience teaching. Even before I came here I put in classroom hours equivalent to about 15 years teaching a 3/3 schedule.
They provided me contacts that I still use for classes and for student internships.
They were related to my academic area of expertise so they provide background knowledge that the other candidates will not be able to duplicate. Basically I teach people about small mammals and I used to be a hamster rancher and gerbil breeder.
I will go into the interview with a teaching portfolio that includes syllabuses for couple of classes I am developing and I have been careful not to suggest classes that trod on the interests of others in the department. Politically I have the opposite views of some members of the committee, but I don’t discuss politics at work, largely because it was considered unprofessional at a previous job and I’ve kept that attitude. FYI, some members of the committee know me well but others are new and do not.
Finally, I have a position outside of my school that fits perfectly with one of our minors. Basically our students can minor in X and I happen to be in charge of a local organization that does X. As such I have been able to provide internships and other opportunities for students.
How should I approach the interview? I think that I need to emphasize my unique outside experience and my ability to provide resources in X that are not easily available elsewhere locally. What possible weaknesses do you see? My age? I am older than the members of the committee, but could easily teach another 15 years. I really, really want this position and would appreciate any advice. My spouse has a career and our roots are here so I can’t travel to find another job. Thanks…
Weaknesses? Shoot, I'd hire you in a second.
ReplyDeleteThe things you're worrying about--your age and your politics--are things that should never, ever come up in a hiring decision. Your school should have a hiring compliance officer on the committee to make sure that everything's on the up and up. If it doesn't, and if you don't get the job, then it will be time to think about a lawsuit.
But for now, just communicate what you wrote in this post to the hiring committee during your interview--and good luck!
I don't know what to say to you because I don't know the politics surrounding the hire. In my experience there are two different kinds of "inside" interviews. The one given merely as a courtesy when everyone knows that the inside person is NOT going to get it, and the one given merely as a courtesy when everyone knows the inside person IS. In the former case, the inside candidate feels led on, in the latter case, the outside candidates do. So...???
ReplyDeleteAnd though there shouldn't be any consideration of age and other things like whether or not the candidate seems like they will stick around, I can tell you that these things will indeed be considered. There has never been a hiring compliance officer on any hiring committee I've been a part of, and I've been on hiring committees for more than twenty years. These things may not be discussed outright, but they will be discussed obliquely. And they will influence the decision of the committee.
I personally weigh age and experience and likeliness that the candidate is going to stay very highly. I also weigh previous service to the institution highly. So as far as I'm concerned, you would have my vote almost before the process started. You're a loyal, proven commodity with roots in the community. I'd have your back and I'd fight to hire you.
But I don't know what the committee that's doing the hiring is likely to think. I don't know what their priorities are. They could want a young sexy thing. Committees like to hire people like they are. They like to hire peers. If everyone on the committee is younger than you, they may want to hire someone younger than you, too. I've seen committees hire people just because they wanted new friends to hang with.
So what I would say to you is, don't sweat this thing. It's not under your control. And it's not really a meritocracy. So worrying about whether this thing or that thing is going to "sell" you to them is fruitless. They either want you because you're the inside candidate, or they don't because you're the inside candidate.
Do not fool yourself into thinking that you can influence the outcome at this point. You can't. So don't worry about it, and just hope for the best.
I agree with Stella. But, still, be your best self during the process. Get your rest. Cover your bases. Don't screw up. And even if you end up being rejected, keep your chin up and continue to be your best self until the end of the year, because their top pick might bow out in April or May and they might desperately need you.
DeleteBe your best indeed. But do realize sometimes there is nothing you can do to influence a decision already 3/4 made. I was on both ends of Stella's description of the "insider" interviews. During the first time around, I was asked how long I intend to stay on the job (I am older, too) and I did not get the job. I held my head up and continued to do a great job as always.
DeleteBubba's right. If you do not get the job, continue to do your best and who knows? During the second time around for the SAME position (the person hired left after a few semesters), it was conveyed to me that I would get the job and I did.
Good luck to you! I hope you get the job first time around!!
We've had two situations where the internal candidate thought the job was theirs for the taking, as they certainly met all the criteria and experience for the job, and so didn't put in their 100% during the interview. They did nothing "wrong" during the interview, but it clearly wasn't their best effort, and so an external candidate who gave their 100% and who had a much better interview ended up being offered the job. So, my advice would be to at least put in the effort in the interview as if you were an external candidate.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it is worth adding that this type of thing happens in the private sector a lot too. My sister once told me that during an interview process, at a major telecom company, all the internal candidates said things to the interviewers such as: (interviewer asks a standard interview question) "Are you kidding me? You want me to answer that question? You know who I am, and what work I'm capable of doing!" The only external candidate got offered the job because she was the only one who took the interview really seriously.
DeleteWhat Stella said. For sure, Al is "loyal, proven commodity with roots in the community," but it's pretty clear that Al doesn't think the job is his for the taking. He's WORRIED. If I were Al, I'd try to find some discreet way to check if there was a hiring compliance officer involved. I'd imagine that 95 times out of 100, there is--because there should be. And if the HCO knows how to do hir job, then age and/or politics won't ever come up. Institutions without HCOs, like Stella's school, are leaving themselves wide open to some very nasty and very expensive litigation, no matter what the outcome is.
ReplyDeletePeople one a job search committee don't discuss age/race/etc. openly. They discuss "fit". And no one sues in academia. If they do, they lose. People close ranks. Academics are like physicians. They rarely rat out their own, even when they deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAnd if there is already an HCO officer aboard, great. If there is none, and Al's questions about a hiring compliance officer are in any way discovered or suspected, he will poison the well.
Al needs to just get Zen about it. Do the best he can, but not agonize over whether or not he gets it. If they want him, the interview is just a formality. If they don't, again, it's just a formality.
I've had a different experience on a committee. We liked the inside candidate, but weren't sure he was the guy for the job. We didn't know him well enough and we wanted a chance to see his research and hear him talk extensively about his teaching. We looked at all the candidates equally. He did end up getting the job, but he was our second choice. Sometimes the committee's minds might not be made up, and if I were in your situation and didn't know some of the members, I would take the whole process just as seriously as you seem to be and prepare as if they didn't know you at all.
DeleteJeez, Stella, I guess I'm the second most cynical person on the planet. But out here in CA, people DO sue, and sometimes they win.
DeleteCynicism aside, your advice--"get Zen about it" and "do the best [you] can"--is perfect, even though it's not gonna help someone like Al, who really wants and needs the job.
It's a world filled with misery, and not just college misery, so the best we can hope for is that folks like Al can manage to keep sane.
One thing to keep in mind: they've already got you. For slave wages. Although they won't consciously think this, it will be difficult for them not to do the mental calculus, keep you as an adjunct and hire someone else new as well.
ReplyDeleteIt might be worthwhile to hint that maybe you're thinking maybe of not renewing your adjunct contract. Just a little hint. And hint that the book contract you're about to sign won't have "of Your College Here" in the title page.
He does say that he's (she's?) in a term position now, so they're full-time..
DeleteI think once the committee gets a chance to hear all that you can offer as a full time member, you're in. Good luck during the interview. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd PLEASE let us know what happened.
ReplyDeleteOne question re: your affiliation with the local organization that does X. Is there any chance that that might be seen as an inappropriate outside job, and/or some sort of conflict of interest, rather than an asset? You seem pretty sure that it is, indeed, an asset, and that is probably the case, but you might briefly brainstorm any possible contrarian views, and be ready to respond to them.
ReplyDeleteI've been an inside candidate who didn't get the job several times, but honestly, you sound better qualified than I was.
Well - I am new to teaching and this site. I was actually looking for a 'ratemystudent.com' website and this was linked to that former site. Its a shame that instead of being as effective a site as 'ratemyprofessor,com' this has become a whine and wail site. Professional educators deserve better. With regard to 'Job Misery'... there is no certainty here - but if I were you, I would start looking for other positions. It is possible that once this hiring committee sees that you are above groveling for this job, they might come running after you - a much preferred position. It is a mistake to put all your eggs in one basket. I don't come from academia, but I am still pretty shocked at the low pay and poor treatment professors receive and their slave like response (due to fear or intimidation) when issues arise. But here's the bottom line - your administrators and superiors treat education like a business and you should as well - placing yourself exclusively as the important party with only your needs being predominant - just like they do. That's how business is now. If I were you I would withdraw my application for this position and give NO REASON for doing so while going about my business as usual - no whining, groveling, etc. I guarantee you that you will start getting calls about why you are not considering the position any more, etc. Try to avoid taking these calls too quickly - too busy with classroom/student work, etc. and when you do finally speak to a few chosen, carefully selected individuals be very cagey about what you say. Let it build to a crescendo, if possible - where you can be in the driver's seat and then tell them what you want in order to be willing to re-submit your application. I would also contact a lawyer and see what constitutes age discrimination and any other issues that might place you in a position to litigate if you do decide to apply for this position and feel you have been discriminated against due to age or other issues. Believe me, the administration consults with their lawyers constantly - you have a right to do the same. Its a business and you are the most important element in your business. And business is a battlefield - build a strategy and act accordingly. And for G-d sakes = don't do anything in the future outside of your paid position for which you do not obtain something specifically favorably for you in return. Taking care of your needs first is what's known as good business - that's what they do and that's what you need to do .........
ReplyDeleteCome on, stop confirming the stereotype. You're making it bad for all of us ____!!!
DeleteThis may be the single worst advice I have ever seen on pretty much any topic anywhere. Just walk away? With dozens of qualified applicants waiting at the door?
DeleteAl, ignore the advice about withdrawing your application. Your application is being handled by low-ish level administrative assistants in HR, and if you withdraw it, no one of any consequence will know until after the deadline.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a great, well-qualified candidate!
I've been on both sides of the "insider" position as a candidate and as an interviewer, and I echo Stella, Bubba, and David. Some aspects are out of your control (the other applicants; whether the department chooses entirely or sends finalists on to the president), so all you can do is work hard on the aspects that ARE in your control (dress and groom much better than a normal teaching day there; prepare for questions related to the college as a whole in addition to your department and expertise).
Use the CM search function to look for job interview questions and come up with answers to those. Know what SLO means, along with any other buzzwords in your recent Academic Senate minutes. (If yours aren't online, Google some other colleges in your state and read theirs.) Find your college's most recent accreditation self-study (probably online) and agency recommendations -- a great source of information about the college and a goldmine for those tricky "What questions do you have for us?" moments.
As many have said here, continue to take the process seriously and use your worry as a motivation to rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Ask your spouse to help you film yourself in a mock interview, answering questions you have researched and asking questions you might use to show that you're informed. Watch it together and critique your mannerisms. Rehearse some more.
Finally, on the day(s) of your interview(s) wear the most comfortable professional-looking shoes you can, and bring or wear one other item that helps you feel loved and confident, and that you can look at during the interview. A watch? A pen? A portfolio pad for taking your own notes? (That always impresses me as an interviewer.)
Let us know how it goes!
I should have said "glance at rarely" during your interview. But you knew that.
DeleteAlpaca Al replies:
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the comments, you all have been very helpful. One note, I am fulltime now, just on a term contract. And yes, if they asked me if I'd come back as an adjunct if I didn't get the job, I'd have to answer that "it would be too awkward." Without me saying so, it's either fulltime or nothing. And if i don't get the job, well, it'll leave me time for writing and a buddy at a nearby university tells me they're going to have a retirement in the relevant department this year....