Emailing HOD to enhance faculty application
I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.
Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?
I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.
application faculty-application assistant-professor
add a comment |
I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.
Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?
I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.
application faculty-application assistant-professor
1
It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.
– Prof. Santa Claus
6 hours ago
add a comment |
I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.
Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?
I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.
application faculty-application assistant-professor
I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.
Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?
I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.
application faculty-application assistant-professor
application faculty-application assistant-professor
asked 14 hours ago
nxkryptornxkryptor
4252511
4252511
1
It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.
– Prof. Santa Claus
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.
– Prof. Santa Claus
6 hours ago
1
1
It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.
– Prof. Santa Claus
6 hours ago
It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.
– Prof. Santa Claus
6 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.
Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.
The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.
add a comment |
First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.
Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).
Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.
2
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
add a comment |
In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who
- Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or
- Are likely to receive multiple job offers.
Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.
Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.
The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.
add a comment |
To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.
Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.
The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.
add a comment |
To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.
Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.
The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.
To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.
Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.
The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.
edited 6 hours ago
David Richerby
30.3k662126
30.3k662126
answered 13 hours ago
xLeitixxLeitix
103k37248392
103k37248392
add a comment |
add a comment |
First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.
Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).
Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.
2
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
add a comment |
First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.
Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).
Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.
2
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
add a comment |
First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.
Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).
Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.
First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.
Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).
Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.
answered 14 hours ago
StrongBad♦StrongBad
86.8k24217425
86.8k24217425
2
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
add a comment |
2
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
2
2
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?
– DreamConspiracy
8 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@DreamConspiracy "nxkryptor? Yeah, he or she is the one who emailed me, trying to do an end-run around the search committee." Will that do?
– Bob Brown
2 hours ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
@BobDrown yes that. You could edit the answer to include this in a helpful and non-condescending way.
– DreamConspiracy
1 hour ago
add a comment |
In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who
- Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or
- Are likely to receive multiple job offers.
Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.
add a comment |
In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who
- Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or
- Are likely to receive multiple job offers.
Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.
add a comment |
In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who
- Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or
- Are likely to receive multiple job offers.
Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.
In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who
- Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or
- Are likely to receive multiple job offers.
Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.
answered 2 hours ago
Anonymous PhysicistAnonymous Physicist
20.3k84081
20.3k84081
add a comment |
add a comment |
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It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.
– Prof. Santa Claus
6 hours ago