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Inquiring about the possibility of a job
What should be included when inquiring about the status of my application?Talking about other projects in a job talkShould I apply to tenure-track positions if I'm fairly certain I won't be staying?Options for a teaching position in a liberal arts college in Europe vs US?About assistant professor job postings with no set deadlineShould I talk about service in my job application?Want to change university, but concerned about “downgrading” from institute head, and about colleagues learning about my job searchAdvice about job applications in the US (mathematics)“1 year with possibility of extension” - what does this mean?Thinking about leaving industry job and taking up a postdoc
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I am a fairly new Assistant Professor at a liberal arts university. I know from Facebook that a professor at my undergrad just retired and I specialize in some of the same classes this person taught. I would love to work at my undergrad.
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position? How should that email be phrased?
[I'm fairly certain that there hasn't been a search begun already for this position, so it may be even be a few years before one begins.]
job-search
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
add a comment |
I am a fairly new Assistant Professor at a liberal arts university. I know from Facebook that a professor at my undergrad just retired and I specialize in some of the same classes this person taught. I would love to work at my undergrad.
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position? How should that email be phrased?
[I'm fairly certain that there hasn't been a search begun already for this position, so it may be even be a few years before one begins.]
job-search
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
Depending on the particular university and the particular department, the notion of "fill that position" may be meaningless. When a faculty member retires, there is often no guarantee that the same department will be allowed to hire someone, and, even when it is allowed, there's no guarantee that the department will hire someone in the same area of specialization.
– Andreas Blass
Jun 25 at 15:58
add a comment |
I am a fairly new Assistant Professor at a liberal arts university. I know from Facebook that a professor at my undergrad just retired and I specialize in some of the same classes this person taught. I would love to work at my undergrad.
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position? How should that email be phrased?
[I'm fairly certain that there hasn't been a search begun already for this position, so it may be even be a few years before one begins.]
job-search
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
I am a fairly new Assistant Professor at a liberal arts university. I know from Facebook that a professor at my undergrad just retired and I specialize in some of the same classes this person taught. I would love to work at my undergrad.
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position? How should that email be phrased?
[I'm fairly certain that there hasn't been a search begun already for this position, so it may be even be a few years before one begins.]
job-search
job-search
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
asked Jun 24 at 20:10
user110178user110178
412 bronze badges
412 bronze badges
Depending on the particular university and the particular department, the notion of "fill that position" may be meaningless. When a faculty member retires, there is often no guarantee that the same department will be allowed to hire someone, and, even when it is allowed, there's no guarantee that the department will hire someone in the same area of specialization.
– Andreas Blass
Jun 25 at 15:58
add a comment |
Depending on the particular university and the particular department, the notion of "fill that position" may be meaningless. When a faculty member retires, there is often no guarantee that the same department will be allowed to hire someone, and, even when it is allowed, there's no guarantee that the department will hire someone in the same area of specialization.
– Andreas Blass
Jun 25 at 15:58
Depending on the particular university and the particular department, the notion of "fill that position" may be meaningless. When a faculty member retires, there is often no guarantee that the same department will be allowed to hire someone, and, even when it is allowed, there's no guarantee that the department will hire someone in the same area of specialization.
– Andreas Blass
Jun 25 at 15:58
Depending on the particular university and the particular department, the notion of "fill that position" may be meaningless. When a faculty member retires, there is often no guarantee that the same department will be allowed to hire someone, and, even when it is allowed, there's no guarantee that the department will hire someone in the same area of specialization.
– Andreas Blass
Jun 25 at 15:58
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position?
It’s generally appropriate to ask about job opportunities and to express potential interest. However, I wouldn’t rely on the former adviser to remember to notify you of something several years later (for me it’s hard enough to remember what someone asked me to do last week), and asking for such an open-ended future commitment to notify you might come across as a bit insensitive. It might be better to phrase the request as a question about whether they anticipate that there would be openings soon, and if so, what would be a way that you could learn about them.
As a general rule, people will show more good will towards you and willingness to help you if you show yourself willing to do things yourself (like keep track of job postings at a place you’re insterested in) instead of asking them to do those things for you.
How should that email be phrased?
Since it sounds like it’s been some time since you’ve had contact with your undergraduate advisor, I suggest starting by saying hi, reminding them of who you are (there’s a good chance they’ll need their memories jogged, even if that may sound unlikely to you) and updating them about what you’ve been up to. They will probably be glad to hear you are now beginning a career in academia.
After that background, you can get to the point and simply say you’re writing to inquire about job opportunities that might open up in the immediate or near future. It’s okay to mention the professor retiring, but I should caution you that the way you’ve phrased your question suggests an implicit premise that departments always fill positions of professors who retire with new faculty who have similar expertise or are qualified to teach similar classes as the retiring professor. In my area (math) that is usually false. So keep that in mind when you mention how your own expertise overlaps that of the other professor.
Good luck!
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
add a comment |
Yes, asking is always allowed. The worst that can happen is that they say they have other strong candidates and that they're not looking for any further applications -- though it sounds like they're not at that stage.
From the perspective of a hiring committee, you always want to spread the news that a job is available as widely as possible, because then you will get better applicants. So there is really nothing wrong with sending an informal email as these kinds of emails are useful to the hiring department.
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
active
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active
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oldest
votes
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position?
It’s generally appropriate to ask about job opportunities and to express potential interest. However, I wouldn’t rely on the former adviser to remember to notify you of something several years later (for me it’s hard enough to remember what someone asked me to do last week), and asking for such an open-ended future commitment to notify you might come across as a bit insensitive. It might be better to phrase the request as a question about whether they anticipate that there would be openings soon, and if so, what would be a way that you could learn about them.
As a general rule, people will show more good will towards you and willingness to help you if you show yourself willing to do things yourself (like keep track of job postings at a place you’re insterested in) instead of asking them to do those things for you.
How should that email be phrased?
Since it sounds like it’s been some time since you’ve had contact with your undergraduate advisor, I suggest starting by saying hi, reminding them of who you are (there’s a good chance they’ll need their memories jogged, even if that may sound unlikely to you) and updating them about what you’ve been up to. They will probably be glad to hear you are now beginning a career in academia.
After that background, you can get to the point and simply say you’re writing to inquire about job opportunities that might open up in the immediate or near future. It’s okay to mention the professor retiring, but I should caution you that the way you’ve phrased your question suggests an implicit premise that departments always fill positions of professors who retire with new faculty who have similar expertise or are qualified to teach similar classes as the retiring professor. In my area (math) that is usually false. So keep that in mind when you mention how your own expertise overlaps that of the other professor.
Good luck!
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
add a comment |
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position?
It’s generally appropriate to ask about job opportunities and to express potential interest. However, I wouldn’t rely on the former adviser to remember to notify you of something several years later (for me it’s hard enough to remember what someone asked me to do last week), and asking for such an open-ended future commitment to notify you might come across as a bit insensitive. It might be better to phrase the request as a question about whether they anticipate that there would be openings soon, and if so, what would be a way that you could learn about them.
As a general rule, people will show more good will towards you and willingness to help you if you show yourself willing to do things yourself (like keep track of job postings at a place you’re insterested in) instead of asking them to do those things for you.
How should that email be phrased?
Since it sounds like it’s been some time since you’ve had contact with your undergraduate advisor, I suggest starting by saying hi, reminding them of who you are (there’s a good chance they’ll need their memories jogged, even if that may sound unlikely to you) and updating them about what you’ve been up to. They will probably be glad to hear you are now beginning a career in academia.
After that background, you can get to the point and simply say you’re writing to inquire about job opportunities that might open up in the immediate or near future. It’s okay to mention the professor retiring, but I should caution you that the way you’ve phrased your question suggests an implicit premise that departments always fill positions of professors who retire with new faculty who have similar expertise or are qualified to teach similar classes as the retiring professor. In my area (math) that is usually false. So keep that in mind when you mention how your own expertise overlaps that of the other professor.
Good luck!
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
add a comment |
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position?
It’s generally appropriate to ask about job opportunities and to express potential interest. However, I wouldn’t rely on the former adviser to remember to notify you of something several years later (for me it’s hard enough to remember what someone asked me to do last week), and asking for such an open-ended future commitment to notify you might come across as a bit insensitive. It might be better to phrase the request as a question about whether they anticipate that there would be openings soon, and if so, what would be a way that you could learn about them.
As a general rule, people will show more good will towards you and willingness to help you if you show yourself willing to do things yourself (like keep track of job postings at a place you’re insterested in) instead of asking them to do those things for you.
How should that email be phrased?
Since it sounds like it’s been some time since you’ve had contact with your undergraduate advisor, I suggest starting by saying hi, reminding them of who you are (there’s a good chance they’ll need their memories jogged, even if that may sound unlikely to you) and updating them about what you’ve been up to. They will probably be glad to hear you are now beginning a career in academia.
After that background, you can get to the point and simply say you’re writing to inquire about job opportunities that might open up in the immediate or near future. It’s okay to mention the professor retiring, but I should caution you that the way you’ve phrased your question suggests an implicit premise that departments always fill positions of professors who retire with new faculty who have similar expertise or are qualified to teach similar classes as the retiring professor. In my area (math) that is usually false. So keep that in mind when you mention how your own expertise overlaps that of the other professor.
Good luck!
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
Is it appropriate to email my former advisor and ask to be notified if/when they choose to fill that position?
It’s generally appropriate to ask about job opportunities and to express potential interest. However, I wouldn’t rely on the former adviser to remember to notify you of something several years later (for me it’s hard enough to remember what someone asked me to do last week), and asking for such an open-ended future commitment to notify you might come across as a bit insensitive. It might be better to phrase the request as a question about whether they anticipate that there would be openings soon, and if so, what would be a way that you could learn about them.
As a general rule, people will show more good will towards you and willingness to help you if you show yourself willing to do things yourself (like keep track of job postings at a place you’re insterested in) instead of asking them to do those things for you.
How should that email be phrased?
Since it sounds like it’s been some time since you’ve had contact with your undergraduate advisor, I suggest starting by saying hi, reminding them of who you are (there’s a good chance they’ll need their memories jogged, even if that may sound unlikely to you) and updating them about what you’ve been up to. They will probably be glad to hear you are now beginning a career in academia.
After that background, you can get to the point and simply say you’re writing to inquire about job opportunities that might open up in the immediate or near future. It’s okay to mention the professor retiring, but I should caution you that the way you’ve phrased your question suggests an implicit premise that departments always fill positions of professors who retire with new faculty who have similar expertise or are qualified to teach similar classes as the retiring professor. In my area (math) that is usually false. So keep that in mind when you mention how your own expertise overlaps that of the other professor.
Good luck!
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
edited Jun 24 at 22:00
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
answered Jun 24 at 21:30
Dan RomikDan Romik
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
88.5k22 gold badges192 silver badges292 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
Yes, asking is always allowed. The worst that can happen is that they say they have other strong candidates and that they're not looking for any further applications -- though it sounds like they're not at that stage.
From the perspective of a hiring committee, you always want to spread the news that a job is available as widely as possible, because then you will get better applicants. So there is really nothing wrong with sending an informal email as these kinds of emails are useful to the hiring department.
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
add a comment |
Yes, asking is always allowed. The worst that can happen is that they say they have other strong candidates and that they're not looking for any further applications -- though it sounds like they're not at that stage.
From the perspective of a hiring committee, you always want to spread the news that a job is available as widely as possible, because then you will get better applicants. So there is really nothing wrong with sending an informal email as these kinds of emails are useful to the hiring department.
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
add a comment |
Yes, asking is always allowed. The worst that can happen is that they say they have other strong candidates and that they're not looking for any further applications -- though it sounds like they're not at that stage.
From the perspective of a hiring committee, you always want to spread the news that a job is available as widely as possible, because then you will get better applicants. So there is really nothing wrong with sending an informal email as these kinds of emails are useful to the hiring department.
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
Yes, asking is always allowed. The worst that can happen is that they say they have other strong candidates and that they're not looking for any further applications -- though it sounds like they're not at that stage.
From the perspective of a hiring committee, you always want to spread the news that a job is available as widely as possible, because then you will get better applicants. So there is really nothing wrong with sending an informal email as these kinds of emails are useful to the hiring department.
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
answered Jun 24 at 20:28
Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
37.8k4 gold badges72 silver badges135 bronze badges
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
add a comment |
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
Personally, if it hasn't been too long, I'd go in person and catch up with people while making my interest known. That won't work everywhere, of course.
– Buffy
Jun 24 at 20:49
add a comment |
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Depending on the particular university and the particular department, the notion of "fill that position" may be meaningless. When a faculty member retires, there is often no guarantee that the same department will be allowed to hire someone, and, even when it is allowed, there's no guarantee that the department will hire someone in the same area of specialization.
– Andreas Blass
Jun 25 at 15:58