they start getting offers. Those lower on the list
wait longer still. On the flip side, departments
with a job to fill are forced to interview many
more applicants than they might wish, for the
“
The careful tailoring of each
ones to whom they will eventually make offers application and its supporting
might go elsewhere.
I don’t want to suggest all the problems are
letters is exactly what doesn’t
due to applicants. Hiring committees can be lazy,
generally happen, which is part of
too, preferring to request many interviews, rather
than thinking hard about what kind of person
the reason for my proposal.
they are looking for or reading the applications
”
carefully and eliminating unsuitable people early
in the process. But, having said that, applications
element of randomness to it and my writing this
are frequently unhelpful because the same letters
commentary won’t change that. A lot depends
and references are sent to every institution.
on the hiring committees, on whether they can
Determining how well an applicant fits one’s
decide what sort of person they would like and
opening is frequently impossible without meeting
whether they are prepared to make an offer to
and talking to them. The careful tailoring of each
someone who fits their needs. Nevertheless, I
application and its supporting letters is exactly
don’t believe you—the job hunter—will be worse
what doesn’t generally happen, which is part of
off adopting the individual strategy. You will be
the reason for my proposal.
better informed, more realistic in your assessment
How could the individual strategy prosper
of your strengths and weaknesses, and calibrated.
under these circumstances? To be honest, I
Can you ask for more? n
don’t know. The whole process does have a large
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MacKichan
SOFTWARE, INC.
SEPTEMbER 2009 AMSTAT NEwS 37
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