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How to ask for advice regarding a position?
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A colleague of mine has notified me of an upcoming opening for a TT position in my field in the US. She told me to contact a colleague of hers in the department hiring to "ask for advice" regarding the position.
Being from Europe, this a bit unusual and I am at loss about what I should ask for since the position already comes with a job description? Is this just a way to informally establish contact? What types of question are appropriate/inappropriate to ask the person in this situation?
etiquette job-search academic-life
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
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up vote
4
down vote
favorite
A colleague of mine has notified me of an upcoming opening for a TT position in my field in the US. She told me to contact a colleague of hers in the department hiring to "ask for advice" regarding the position.
Being from Europe, this a bit unusual and I am at loss about what I should ask for since the position already comes with a job description? Is this just a way to informally establish contact? What types of question are appropriate/inappropriate to ask the person in this situation?
etiquette job-search academic-life
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
A colleague of mine has notified me of an upcoming opening for a TT position in my field in the US. She told me to contact a colleague of hers in the department hiring to "ask for advice" regarding the position.
Being from Europe, this a bit unusual and I am at loss about what I should ask for since the position already comes with a job description? Is this just a way to informally establish contact? What types of question are appropriate/inappropriate to ask the person in this situation?
etiquette job-search academic-life
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
A colleague of mine has notified me of an upcoming opening for a TT position in my field in the US. She told me to contact a colleague of hers in the department hiring to "ask for advice" regarding the position.
Being from Europe, this a bit unusual and I am at loss about what I should ask for since the position already comes with a job description? Is this just a way to informally establish contact? What types of question are appropriate/inappropriate to ask the person in this situation?
etiquette job-search academic-life
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
asked Aug 11 at 19:30
user2969402
1872
1872
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
7
down vote
accepted
I would keep it simple. Typically at this stage I have asked questions like “Are there sub fields that the department is particularly interested in hiring for?†“What courses are you hoping this position would cover?†Or the fallback/generic options “Is there anything beyond what is in the job description that I need to keep in mind when applying?†And “What aspects of my CV do you recommend I stress in my application?â€Â
The goal is to use the conversation to introduce yourself and to tailor your application.
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
1
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
2
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I assume your colleague knows something about the culture of the place she recommended. If so you should probably follow her advice. There are a lot of things you could ask other than "Would I get the job?". You could ask about things like local working groups (seminars) in your sub-field, for example or things about students if that is part of the position. You could even ask things about living in the city in which the place is located. Local ambiance, and such. It is likely a mistake, however to ask too many questions, but a conversation might develop.
In fact, if you hope to have a longer conversation, you might make the initial contact letter very short. "What should I know about your department?" or "Is there a lot of collaboration within the department?"
Some things you can learn with a bit of research, such as the names and research interests of the other members of the department. Others are harder to learn, but also important to know. One is the general collegiality of the place and how difficult it is to attain tenure. But some questions probably shouldn't be asked by a potential candidate until they express interest in you.
But you could also ask your colleague to write to this other person on your behalf with a simple introduction. She can also ask some of the questions that you can't really ask directly yourself.
Of course, if you write and get no answer back, you've learned at least a little something about the place.
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
7
down vote
accepted
I would keep it simple. Typically at this stage I have asked questions like “Are there sub fields that the department is particularly interested in hiring for?†“What courses are you hoping this position would cover?†Or the fallback/generic options “Is there anything beyond what is in the job description that I need to keep in mind when applying?†And “What aspects of my CV do you recommend I stress in my application?â€Â
The goal is to use the conversation to introduce yourself and to tailor your application.
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
1
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
2
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
accepted
I would keep it simple. Typically at this stage I have asked questions like “Are there sub fields that the department is particularly interested in hiring for?†“What courses are you hoping this position would cover?†Or the fallback/generic options “Is there anything beyond what is in the job description that I need to keep in mind when applying?†And “What aspects of my CV do you recommend I stress in my application?â€Â
The goal is to use the conversation to introduce yourself and to tailor your application.
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
1
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
2
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
accepted
up vote
7
down vote
accepted
I would keep it simple. Typically at this stage I have asked questions like “Are there sub fields that the department is particularly interested in hiring for?†“What courses are you hoping this position would cover?†Or the fallback/generic options “Is there anything beyond what is in the job description that I need to keep in mind when applying?†And “What aspects of my CV do you recommend I stress in my application?â€Â
The goal is to use the conversation to introduce yourself and to tailor your application.
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
I would keep it simple. Typically at this stage I have asked questions like “Are there sub fields that the department is particularly interested in hiring for?†“What courses are you hoping this position would cover?†Or the fallback/generic options “Is there anything beyond what is in the job description that I need to keep in mind when applying?†And “What aspects of my CV do you recommend I stress in my application?â€Â
The goal is to use the conversation to introduce yourself and to tailor your application.
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
answered Aug 11 at 19:46
Dawn
6,18511639
6,18511639
1
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
2
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
add a comment |Â
1
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
2
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
1
1
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
I worry that some of those questions aren't really appropriate to answer unless they go to the department head or chair of the search committee.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 19:48
2
2
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
@Buffy Maybe so, but that doesn't mean that OP shouldn't ask. The colleague can always respond "That's a great question for our department head."
– JeffE
Aug 11 at 20:48
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
But would it prejudice your case if it is thought you are asking improper questions? I would feel uneasy about getting a request from a stranger a to get a "leg up" on an application even if introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
– Buffy
Aug 11 at 21:00
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
@Buffy I suppose I see your point, but I think these are pretty easy to avoid if you don’t want to answer. In any case, this is what I would ask you in person if I was introduced by a mutual acquaintance at a conference, so that is what I ask in emails.
– Dawn
Aug 12 at 1:25
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
If asking these “improper†questions jeapordizes your chances at getting the position, you don’t want that position.
– JeffE
Aug 12 at 3:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I assume your colleague knows something about the culture of the place she recommended. If so you should probably follow her advice. There are a lot of things you could ask other than "Would I get the job?". You could ask about things like local working groups (seminars) in your sub-field, for example or things about students if that is part of the position. You could even ask things about living in the city in which the place is located. Local ambiance, and such. It is likely a mistake, however to ask too many questions, but a conversation might develop.
In fact, if you hope to have a longer conversation, you might make the initial contact letter very short. "What should I know about your department?" or "Is there a lot of collaboration within the department?"
Some things you can learn with a bit of research, such as the names and research interests of the other members of the department. Others are harder to learn, but also important to know. One is the general collegiality of the place and how difficult it is to attain tenure. But some questions probably shouldn't be asked by a potential candidate until they express interest in you.
But you could also ask your colleague to write to this other person on your behalf with a simple introduction. She can also ask some of the questions that you can't really ask directly yourself.
Of course, if you write and get no answer back, you've learned at least a little something about the place.
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I assume your colleague knows something about the culture of the place she recommended. If so you should probably follow her advice. There are a lot of things you could ask other than "Would I get the job?". You could ask about things like local working groups (seminars) in your sub-field, for example or things about students if that is part of the position. You could even ask things about living in the city in which the place is located. Local ambiance, and such. It is likely a mistake, however to ask too many questions, but a conversation might develop.
In fact, if you hope to have a longer conversation, you might make the initial contact letter very short. "What should I know about your department?" or "Is there a lot of collaboration within the department?"
Some things you can learn with a bit of research, such as the names and research interests of the other members of the department. Others are harder to learn, but also important to know. One is the general collegiality of the place and how difficult it is to attain tenure. But some questions probably shouldn't be asked by a potential candidate until they express interest in you.
But you could also ask your colleague to write to this other person on your behalf with a simple introduction. She can also ask some of the questions that you can't really ask directly yourself.
Of course, if you write and get no answer back, you've learned at least a little something about the place.
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
I assume your colleague knows something about the culture of the place she recommended. If so you should probably follow her advice. There are a lot of things you could ask other than "Would I get the job?". You could ask about things like local working groups (seminars) in your sub-field, for example or things about students if that is part of the position. You could even ask things about living in the city in which the place is located. Local ambiance, and such. It is likely a mistake, however to ask too many questions, but a conversation might develop.
In fact, if you hope to have a longer conversation, you might make the initial contact letter very short. "What should I know about your department?" or "Is there a lot of collaboration within the department?"
Some things you can learn with a bit of research, such as the names and research interests of the other members of the department. Others are harder to learn, but also important to know. One is the general collegiality of the place and how difficult it is to attain tenure. But some questions probably shouldn't be asked by a potential candidate until they express interest in you.
But you could also ask your colleague to write to this other person on your behalf with a simple introduction. She can also ask some of the questions that you can't really ask directly yourself.
Of course, if you write and get no answer back, you've learned at least a little something about the place.
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
I assume your colleague knows something about the culture of the place she recommended. If so you should probably follow her advice. There are a lot of things you could ask other than "Would I get the job?". You could ask about things like local working groups (seminars) in your sub-field, for example or things about students if that is part of the position. You could even ask things about living in the city in which the place is located. Local ambiance, and such. It is likely a mistake, however to ask too many questions, but a conversation might develop.
In fact, if you hope to have a longer conversation, you might make the initial contact letter very short. "What should I know about your department?" or "Is there a lot of collaboration within the department?"
Some things you can learn with a bit of research, such as the names and research interests of the other members of the department. Others are harder to learn, but also important to know. One is the general collegiality of the place and how difficult it is to attain tenure. But some questions probably shouldn't be asked by a potential candidate until they express interest in you.
But you could also ask your colleague to write to this other person on your behalf with a simple introduction. She can also ask some of the questions that you can't really ask directly yourself.
Of course, if you write and get no answer back, you've learned at least a little something about the place.
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
edited Aug 11 at 19:47
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
answered Aug 11 at 19:41
Buffy
14.7k44981
14.7k44981
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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