The academic job market is confusing - the process varies from country to country and even from school to school.
I recall my first time on the job market - and I came in second for every job - including the jobs that I really wanted.
One school strung me along and didn’t tell me they had an offer out. I thought I had done well - so I stopped applying places. I was traumatized when I later learned I came in second.
Another school was up front - and told me that I was second choice - but the offer had not been accepted. Much later they came back with a job offer. I didn’t accept it.
In my experience advising students, the first school’s approach is normal - they don’t disclose that they’ve made an offer, they keep you waiting, and then they deliver the news once their negotiations are done.
Why? Because often the school is selecting between equally qualified candidates - and it wants an option to make you an offer - if the first pick doesn’t work out.
If the school discloses too much, then they risk offending a runner up candidate, being turned down, and having to start their search for a new faculty member over again.
As a candidate, being second isn’t very comfortable. In fact, my experience suggests it is painful, bc you wonder what you did wrong or what you could have done better. This wondering is compounded by not receiving feedback, if you get any at all, only after the school has completed its hiring process.
So how to navigate being second? And to keep your chin up? In a competitive job market?
First, remind yourself that you made the finals.
Most schools interview two to four finalists. You were selected out of a pool of hundreds of potential applicants.
Feel good about it.
Second, don’t wait for an answer.
If a school is not forthcoming about their process, keep applying for positions.
Take control of your future. There are often more than one acceptable jobs.
Third, learn from every campus visit.
Every interview is different. Ask yourself what you did well & did not do well.
After I didn’t land the first couple of offers, I changed my job talk substantially.
So engage in double loop learning - you can improve.
Fourth, keep working.
The academic job market can consume a year or more.
Keep working on papers & moving your dissertation forward.
Securing an offer is often about confidence that you will finish. So make that possible.
Finally, stay positive.
I went into a real funk when I didn’t land a job at the first couple of schools.
It took sharp talks with my faculty and my family to snap me out of it.
I adjusted my attitude, turned a corner, secured more campus visits & a job offer.
What you can’t do, if you don’t get an offer Is fall into a funk, send angry emails, or say bad things about schools.
Word gets around! So don’t do it!
In the end, I took a job where I was second ranked. The school had been transparent & made me feel valued. It worked out!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jason-thatcher-0329764_what-to-do-if-you-dont-get-a-job-offer-activity-6951124665486512128-6yvH?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web
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