should I include offer letter from a different institution in my application for a faculty positionDuring an application/interview should an applicant justify leaving a current faculty position (pre-tenure)?What do I need to include in a tenure-track assistant professor job application cover letter?Should I use fancy paper for non-resume application materials?Updating an application for a faculty positionBacking down from a faculty position. Future career problems?How do I deal with an old reference letter from an advisor for job applications?Letterhead in application letters for tenure-track in computer science in USA?Informal enquiries for faculty positionDo I need to follow traditional cover letter style for applying for an academic position?
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should I include offer letter from a different institution in my application for a faculty position
During an application/interview should an applicant justify leaving a current faculty position (pre-tenure)?What do I need to include in a tenure-track assistant professor job application cover letter?Should I use fancy paper for non-resume application materials?Updating an application for a faculty positionBacking down from a faculty position. Future career problems?How do I deal with an old reference letter from an advisor for job applications?Letterhead in application letters for tenure-track in computer science in USA?Informal enquiries for faculty positionDo I need to follow traditional cover letter style for applying for an academic position?
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margin-bottom:0;
I have a offer letter from a very well-known group in my field for a postdoc position. The proposed starting date would be early next year.
However, I am currently also applying for a faculty (assistant professor) position at a different institution.
Should I mention this offer in my application for the faculty position (on cv or cover letter) and/or include the official offer letter?
update:
there is another sublety for one application. One faculty position I consider requires experience abroad (i.e. not in the same country) of at least 1 year. I only have 6 months but the postdoc offer would be abroad giving me the 1 year total if I take it before starting the faculty position. Should I then mention the offer?
my field is health and medical sciences
application faculty-application application-cover-letter
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
|
show 2 more comments
I have a offer letter from a very well-known group in my field for a postdoc position. The proposed starting date would be early next year.
However, I am currently also applying for a faculty (assistant professor) position at a different institution.
Should I mention this offer in my application for the faculty position (on cv or cover letter) and/or include the official offer letter?
update:
there is another sublety for one application. One faculty position I consider requires experience abroad (i.e. not in the same country) of at least 1 year. I only have 6 months but the postdoc offer would be abroad giving me the 1 year total if I take it before starting the faculty position. Should I then mention the offer?
my field is health and medical sciences
application faculty-application application-cover-letter
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
Why? I don't know academia much so I'm curious about what you could gain from this. I would do something like that to negotiate a better salary in industry, but I thought that faculty had fixed salaries, at least at the beginning.
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:01
@Elzo I would hope that having an offer letter from this very well known group would increase my chances for the faculty position. Everybody knows this group in my field.
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:03
But didn't this group see the same CV you are sending to this different institution? That the group accepted you just tells them "these very smart people liked the attached CV so you should too". Couldn't it even offend them?
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:06
2
@Elzo this is exactly the question
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:07
1
Are you going to do the postdoc position? You could always just accept it, and then you're not listing an offer but an actual position (one that you will hold between now and your start date in any other position that you're applying for). Of course, that limits you to definitely doing the postdoc, since if you show up having not done it there could be questions...
– user3067860
Oct 15 at 11:47
|
show 2 more comments
I have a offer letter from a very well-known group in my field for a postdoc position. The proposed starting date would be early next year.
However, I am currently also applying for a faculty (assistant professor) position at a different institution.
Should I mention this offer in my application for the faculty position (on cv or cover letter) and/or include the official offer letter?
update:
there is another sublety for one application. One faculty position I consider requires experience abroad (i.e. not in the same country) of at least 1 year. I only have 6 months but the postdoc offer would be abroad giving me the 1 year total if I take it before starting the faculty position. Should I then mention the offer?
my field is health and medical sciences
application faculty-application application-cover-letter
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
I have a offer letter from a very well-known group in my field for a postdoc position. The proposed starting date would be early next year.
However, I am currently also applying for a faculty (assistant professor) position at a different institution.
Should I mention this offer in my application for the faculty position (on cv or cover letter) and/or include the official offer letter?
update:
there is another sublety for one application. One faculty position I consider requires experience abroad (i.e. not in the same country) of at least 1 year. I only have 6 months but the postdoc offer would be abroad giving me the 1 year total if I take it before starting the faculty position. Should I then mention the offer?
my field is health and medical sciences
application faculty-application application-cover-letter
application faculty-application application-cover-letter
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
edited Oct 14 at 18:38
spore234
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
asked Oct 14 at 13:56
spore234spore234
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
3264 silver badges11 bronze badges
Why? I don't know academia much so I'm curious about what you could gain from this. I would do something like that to negotiate a better salary in industry, but I thought that faculty had fixed salaries, at least at the beginning.
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:01
@Elzo I would hope that having an offer letter from this very well known group would increase my chances for the faculty position. Everybody knows this group in my field.
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:03
But didn't this group see the same CV you are sending to this different institution? That the group accepted you just tells them "these very smart people liked the attached CV so you should too". Couldn't it even offend them?
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:06
2
@Elzo this is exactly the question
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:07
1
Are you going to do the postdoc position? You could always just accept it, and then you're not listing an offer but an actual position (one that you will hold between now and your start date in any other position that you're applying for). Of course, that limits you to definitely doing the postdoc, since if you show up having not done it there could be questions...
– user3067860
Oct 15 at 11:47
|
show 2 more comments
Why? I don't know academia much so I'm curious about what you could gain from this. I would do something like that to negotiate a better salary in industry, but I thought that faculty had fixed salaries, at least at the beginning.
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:01
@Elzo I would hope that having an offer letter from this very well known group would increase my chances for the faculty position. Everybody knows this group in my field.
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:03
But didn't this group see the same CV you are sending to this different institution? That the group accepted you just tells them "these very smart people liked the attached CV so you should too". Couldn't it even offend them?
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:06
2
@Elzo this is exactly the question
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:07
1
Are you going to do the postdoc position? You could always just accept it, and then you're not listing an offer but an actual position (one that you will hold between now and your start date in any other position that you're applying for). Of course, that limits you to definitely doing the postdoc, since if you show up having not done it there could be questions...
– user3067860
Oct 15 at 11:47
Why? I don't know academia much so I'm curious about what you could gain from this. I would do something like that to negotiate a better salary in industry, but I thought that faculty had fixed salaries, at least at the beginning.
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:01
Why? I don't know academia much so I'm curious about what you could gain from this. I would do something like that to negotiate a better salary in industry, but I thought that faculty had fixed salaries, at least at the beginning.
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:01
@Elzo I would hope that having an offer letter from this very well known group would increase my chances for the faculty position. Everybody knows this group in my field.
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:03
@Elzo I would hope that having an offer letter from this very well known group would increase my chances for the faculty position. Everybody knows this group in my field.
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:03
But didn't this group see the same CV you are sending to this different institution? That the group accepted you just tells them "these very smart people liked the attached CV so you should too". Couldn't it even offend them?
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:06
But didn't this group see the same CV you are sending to this different institution? That the group accepted you just tells them "these very smart people liked the attached CV so you should too". Couldn't it even offend them?
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:06
2
2
@Elzo this is exactly the question
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:07
@Elzo this is exactly the question
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:07
1
1
Are you going to do the postdoc position? You could always just accept it, and then you're not listing an offer but an actual position (one that you will hold between now and your start date in any other position that you're applying for). Of course, that limits you to definitely doing the postdoc, since if you show up having not done it there could be questions...
– user3067860
Oct 15 at 11:47
Are you going to do the postdoc position? You could always just accept it, and then you're not listing an offer but an actual position (one that you will hold between now and your start date in any other position that you're applying for). Of course, that limits you to definitely doing the postdoc, since if you show up having not done it there could be questions...
– user3067860
Oct 15 at 11:47
|
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
I think that it would be unwise to include a copy of an offer in another application.
But whether you inform them of the existence of an offer is a bit more subtle. I doubt that anyone will rush to hire you just because you have another offer. They will evaluate you on other things as usual. So, at best, mentioning the offer initially gets you nothing.
However, later in the process if you need a decision and they are delaying making it, you can let them know that you have a deadline. Whether that helps or hurts is also subtle. Whether it is wise, or not depends on the nature of any relationship you have been able to build with them. In the absence of any relationship, it might hurt more than help. It is easy to just cross you off the list unless they are very interested and have few other interesting applicants.
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
add a comment
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To be blunt and clear, if anyone had done this on any of the previous hiring committees I have been on, we would have rejected them instantly. They would not have even been long-listed, let alone short listed. Having another job offer is not a reason for anyone to hire you. Indeed, it indicated a number of negative things:
- You are the sort of person who goes all the way through the process of getting one job but still fishes around for something "better": read, you waste everyone's time
- If they do want you, you are likely to try to pull off some sort of bidding war for you, increasing your package etc. That's annoying to everyone.
- You are implying that the research group you have a PostDoc offer from is somehow better than the place you are looking for a Faculty Position from. Like some temporary position is as good as a tenure track one. Ouch!
- You are lacking in subtlety, diplomacy, and general workplace etiquette.
Basically, don't do this. It is a very bad idea.
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
3
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
12
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
3
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
2
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
2
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
|
show 9 more comments
You do not show a letter addressed to you personally to other people without the sender`s consent.
Never, unless you get a formal court order to do so.
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
add a comment
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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active
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votes
I think that it would be unwise to include a copy of an offer in another application.
But whether you inform them of the existence of an offer is a bit more subtle. I doubt that anyone will rush to hire you just because you have another offer. They will evaluate you on other things as usual. So, at best, mentioning the offer initially gets you nothing.
However, later in the process if you need a decision and they are delaying making it, you can let them know that you have a deadline. Whether that helps or hurts is also subtle. Whether it is wise, or not depends on the nature of any relationship you have been able to build with them. In the absence of any relationship, it might hurt more than help. It is easy to just cross you off the list unless they are very interested and have few other interesting applicants.
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
add a comment
|
I think that it would be unwise to include a copy of an offer in another application.
But whether you inform them of the existence of an offer is a bit more subtle. I doubt that anyone will rush to hire you just because you have another offer. They will evaluate you on other things as usual. So, at best, mentioning the offer initially gets you nothing.
However, later in the process if you need a decision and they are delaying making it, you can let them know that you have a deadline. Whether that helps or hurts is also subtle. Whether it is wise, or not depends on the nature of any relationship you have been able to build with them. In the absence of any relationship, it might hurt more than help. It is easy to just cross you off the list unless they are very interested and have few other interesting applicants.
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
add a comment
|
I think that it would be unwise to include a copy of an offer in another application.
But whether you inform them of the existence of an offer is a bit more subtle. I doubt that anyone will rush to hire you just because you have another offer. They will evaluate you on other things as usual. So, at best, mentioning the offer initially gets you nothing.
However, later in the process if you need a decision and they are delaying making it, you can let them know that you have a deadline. Whether that helps or hurts is also subtle. Whether it is wise, or not depends on the nature of any relationship you have been able to build with them. In the absence of any relationship, it might hurt more than help. It is easy to just cross you off the list unless they are very interested and have few other interesting applicants.
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
I think that it would be unwise to include a copy of an offer in another application.
But whether you inform them of the existence of an offer is a bit more subtle. I doubt that anyone will rush to hire you just because you have another offer. They will evaluate you on other things as usual. So, at best, mentioning the offer initially gets you nothing.
However, later in the process if you need a decision and they are delaying making it, you can let them know that you have a deadline. Whether that helps or hurts is also subtle. Whether it is wise, or not depends on the nature of any relationship you have been able to build with them. In the absence of any relationship, it might hurt more than help. It is easy to just cross you off the list unless they are very interested and have few other interesting applicants.
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
answered Oct 14 at 15:03
BuffyBuffy
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
91.8k23 gold badges283 silver badges394 bronze badges
add a comment
|
add a comment
|
To be blunt and clear, if anyone had done this on any of the previous hiring committees I have been on, we would have rejected them instantly. They would not have even been long-listed, let alone short listed. Having another job offer is not a reason for anyone to hire you. Indeed, it indicated a number of negative things:
- You are the sort of person who goes all the way through the process of getting one job but still fishes around for something "better": read, you waste everyone's time
- If they do want you, you are likely to try to pull off some sort of bidding war for you, increasing your package etc. That's annoying to everyone.
- You are implying that the research group you have a PostDoc offer from is somehow better than the place you are looking for a Faculty Position from. Like some temporary position is as good as a tenure track one. Ouch!
- You are lacking in subtlety, diplomacy, and general workplace etiquette.
Basically, don't do this. It is a very bad idea.
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
3
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
12
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
3
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
2
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
2
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
|
show 9 more comments
To be blunt and clear, if anyone had done this on any of the previous hiring committees I have been on, we would have rejected them instantly. They would not have even been long-listed, let alone short listed. Having another job offer is not a reason for anyone to hire you. Indeed, it indicated a number of negative things:
- You are the sort of person who goes all the way through the process of getting one job but still fishes around for something "better": read, you waste everyone's time
- If they do want you, you are likely to try to pull off some sort of bidding war for you, increasing your package etc. That's annoying to everyone.
- You are implying that the research group you have a PostDoc offer from is somehow better than the place you are looking for a Faculty Position from. Like some temporary position is as good as a tenure track one. Ouch!
- You are lacking in subtlety, diplomacy, and general workplace etiquette.
Basically, don't do this. It is a very bad idea.
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
3
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
12
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
3
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
2
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
2
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
|
show 9 more comments
To be blunt and clear, if anyone had done this on any of the previous hiring committees I have been on, we would have rejected them instantly. They would not have even been long-listed, let alone short listed. Having another job offer is not a reason for anyone to hire you. Indeed, it indicated a number of negative things:
- You are the sort of person who goes all the way through the process of getting one job but still fishes around for something "better": read, you waste everyone's time
- If they do want you, you are likely to try to pull off some sort of bidding war for you, increasing your package etc. That's annoying to everyone.
- You are implying that the research group you have a PostDoc offer from is somehow better than the place you are looking for a Faculty Position from. Like some temporary position is as good as a tenure track one. Ouch!
- You are lacking in subtlety, diplomacy, and general workplace etiquette.
Basically, don't do this. It is a very bad idea.
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
To be blunt and clear, if anyone had done this on any of the previous hiring committees I have been on, we would have rejected them instantly. They would not have even been long-listed, let alone short listed. Having another job offer is not a reason for anyone to hire you. Indeed, it indicated a number of negative things:
- You are the sort of person who goes all the way through the process of getting one job but still fishes around for something "better": read, you waste everyone's time
- If they do want you, you are likely to try to pull off some sort of bidding war for you, increasing your package etc. That's annoying to everyone.
- You are implying that the research group you have a PostDoc offer from is somehow better than the place you are looking for a Faculty Position from. Like some temporary position is as good as a tenure track one. Ouch!
- You are lacking in subtlety, diplomacy, and general workplace etiquette.
Basically, don't do this. It is a very bad idea.
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered Oct 14 at 18:15
GrotesqueSIGrotesqueSI
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
3,4456 silver badges30 bronze badges
3
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
12
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
3
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
2
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
2
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
|
show 9 more comments
3
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
12
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
3
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
2
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
2
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
3
3
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
This actually happened during my first hiring committee experience: An otherwise impressive application has a competing job offer attached to the cover letter. All the senior people in the committee completely ignored the application. When I voiced my support for this candidate, I was given the "are you stupid look".
– ssquidd
Oct 14 at 19:09
12
12
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
This is a rather extreme answer. Particularly item 1, which sounds very unreasonable. Really, it is wrong to simultaneously apply to multiple positions and not jump on the first offer that comes along (especially for a postdoc when you were hoping for an assistant professorship) but hope to get additional offers and do whatever you need to to maximize your chances? That’s news to me and everyone I know (but maybe we’re all “that sort of people” you were referring to). What am I missing here, GrotesqueSI?
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 19:59
3
3
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
(To be clear, I agree that including the other offer letter is a bad idea. Mentioning the offer itself may or may not be a good idea, depending on many specific details as discussed in Buffy’s answer. But the absolutist tone of this answer does not leave a good impression, especially item 1 as I said.)
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:03
2
2
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
You sound like a very sensible person and I generally like your answers a lot. This one seems off the mark. Ruling out candidates for committing a minor social faux pas (even assuming that the action we’re discussing is such a thing; if done correctly it doesn’t have to be) doesn’t sound wise or fair to me, nor does jumping to conclusions about someone’s character based on such tiny amounts of evidence.
– Dan Romik
Oct 14 at 20:23
2
2
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
@DanRomik People are generally on their best behaviour when applying for a job. If this is the OP's "best behaviour", it's hardly "jumping to conclusions" to consider how they might behave in "normal" situations, and betting with the odds is usually a good strategy. Recruitment isn't about looking for the ideal candidate (because with limited information you have no way to achieve that). It's about making the lowest-risk decision that someone is good enough.
– alephzero
Oct 14 at 22:17
|
show 9 more comments
You do not show a letter addressed to you personally to other people without the sender`s consent.
Never, unless you get a formal court order to do so.
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
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You do not show a letter addressed to you personally to other people without the sender`s consent.
Never, unless you get a formal court order to do so.
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
add a comment
|
You do not show a letter addressed to you personally to other people without the sender`s consent.
Never, unless you get a formal court order to do so.
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
You do not show a letter addressed to you personally to other people without the sender`s consent.
Never, unless you get a formal court order to do so.
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
answered Oct 17 at 23:23
KarlKarl
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
1,3935 silver badges14 bronze badges
add a comment
|
add a comment
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Why? I don't know academia much so I'm curious about what you could gain from this. I would do something like that to negotiate a better salary in industry, but I thought that faculty had fixed salaries, at least at the beginning.
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:01
@Elzo I would hope that having an offer letter from this very well known group would increase my chances for the faculty position. Everybody knows this group in my field.
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:03
But didn't this group see the same CV you are sending to this different institution? That the group accepted you just tells them "these very smart people liked the attached CV so you should too". Couldn't it even offend them?
– Elzo
Oct 14 at 14:06
2
@Elzo this is exactly the question
– spore234
Oct 14 at 14:07
1
Are you going to do the postdoc position? You could always just accept it, and then you're not listing an offer but an actual position (one that you will hold between now and your start date in any other position that you're applying for). Of course, that limits you to definitely doing the postdoc, since if you show up having not done it there could be questions...
– user3067860
Oct 15 at 11:47