Money Isn’t Everything
In a recent post, I noted that sometimes people cut back-office deals that add value but not salary to their compensation. I thought I’d revisit the topic of nonsalary perks. Because salaries are...
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The Insider
Since I am just a few months into a two-year postdoc, this fall I’m pursuing only a couple of dream jobs. As it turns out, a good friend of mine was recently hired at one of the institutions that has...
View ArticleFlexible Faculty Careers
I recently returned from the Council of Independent Colleges’ Chief Academic Officers Institute, the annual meeting of vice presidents for academic affairs and provosts at small and medium-size private...
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On Second Thought
“Barbara” was excited to receive an offer for an on-campus interview, her first since going on the market as a very advanced A.B.D. candidate. She dazzled the host department and found the campus to be...
View ArticleThe Success of Frightened Professors
“When she was young, Mary saw a brilliant and original man lose his job because he had expressed ideas that were offensive to the trustees of the college where they both taught. She shared his views...
View ArticleThat’s a Pretty Big Matzo Ball …
On Seinfeld, George Costanza once tried to decide if he should tell a girlfriend that he loved her, which would be the first time he had uttered that phrase. When he discussed the situation with...
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Is Your Name in the Chalice?
Inspiration for career advice can emerge from the most unusual places. This week it comes from Rome, where cardinals from around the world have convened to select the next pope. The centuries-old...
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Reimbursement Reminders
While there are occasional exceptions, most colleges that extend invitations to job candidates for on-campus interviews provide reimbursement for their travel expenses. Most professional organizations...
View ArticleThe Graceful Goodbye
This is the time of year when deans and department chairs dread the unexpected request for a meeting with a faculty member about an unspecified topic. A resignation may be coming, and our hearts...
View ArticleWe Need You. Please Don’t Come.
Chronicle readers have such interesting lives, and when one of them wrote to me recently with a subject line that read, “Ethical Dilemma! Can You Help?,” I couldn’t wait to hear more. The short version...
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Loyal, but in Which Direction?
Friends of mine say that I’m loyal to a fault. They don’t know the half of it. The truth is, I have many faults, and I’m loyal to all of them. OK, so that’s an old joke. But it helps me introduce a...
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Too Many Mentors Might Spoil the Soup
Sarah shared with her doctoral-program mentors the joyous news of her first job offer from a relatively small teaching institution. Several of them said, “What are you countering to their offer?” She...
View ArticleOn the Inside Looking In
Nothing in academic hiring incites more controversy and conspiracy theories than the issue of inside candidates, either those who occupy a temporary or interim position that is being replaced by a...
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Sometimes It Is Whom You Know
Academics are notoriously bad at what other professionals call “networking.” That’s partly because we tend to be loners and introverts by nature. The whole idea behind networking—meeting people just to...
View ArticleThe Replication Error
“Dr. Incredible” announced her retirement with plenty of notice, so the department conducted a national search for a successor throughout the academic year. Her academic specialty was not particularly...
View ArticleYou Didn’t Get the Dream Job? Relax: You Still Have a Job!
“Jacqueline” was reasonably happy in her tenure-track position and had just passed her midtenure review with glowing evaluations and strong affirmation from her department’s leadership. She found her...
View ArticleThe ‘Secret’ Members of Search and Tenure Committees
Anyone with common sense knows that on-campus candidates need to be on their best behavior while interviewing. Doing a great teaching demonstration and being able to talk about your research are...
View ArticleThat Awkward Moment
A few years ago I was sitting at a lunch table at a conference, and a gentleman sat down next to me and introduced himself. I replied, “Oh, we’ve met! I interviewed with you for a faculty position...
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Itchy-Feet Syndrome
“Dr. Itchy” contacted one of his references to seek advice on a last-minute administrative opportunity that had come open. The position was not a very good one: The institution was in the midst of a...
View ArticleYou’re Hired! Now Finish That Dissertation
When I was A.B.D., I asked a family friend for advice on finishing my degree, and he told me a story that provided me with much motivation. This happened back in the days of paper applications, but the...
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