Another job seeker writes:
I wanted to share with you -- and if you think it is worth positing, with your blog readers -- an annoyance about some recent job postings that require application through an online system. There was a similar complaint recently about having applications and letters, which must be separately uploaded by referees, due on the same day (Oct. 9). I fully agree with this. Not all letter writers are available at all times, and it is unrealistic to ask candidates to be sure that letter writers will be available at the relevant times. And not all letter writers want to use services like interfolio. I would like to point out in addition, that there is often a discrepancy between the advertisement and the actual online application about what documents are required and that there is often no mention of when letters are required. Thus, the advertisement might say that a CV, research statement, and evidence of teaching effectiveness is required, as well as the contact information of letter writers. But once logged into the application system, and only once personal information has been entered and saved, it turns out that, say, a statement on teaching is also required, or in my case, transcripts. While the advertisement stated that contact information for referees was needed, one referee wrote to me that day saying he hoped he had met the deadline -- I had no idea that there was a deadline for letters, or that it was on the same day. There was no mention of a deadline in the advertisement or during the online application process. A colleague applying for a job in the UK in a different field found out -- again, once the online application was well underway -- that she should paste into a box an explanation of how she meets the criteria announced, though there was no mention of these in the advertisement. In my case, not having applied for jobs in recent years, I had to dig up a transcript, whereas my colleague had to put together a new document -- something like the cover letter used for other positions. Another kind of case might be one in which only the online application system lists a research statement as optional in additon to a dissertation summary. This means, I take it, that the research statement need not summarize the dissertation.
My beef is not with the fact that certain documents are required rather than others; these are reasonable demands and especially in philosophy, they are relatively standardized. And, apart from the worry that my letters will not be accepted, these were relatively minor annoyances, since both of us have done this before. But it does take some time, and I imagine that it would take more time for someone who is new to this, who is perhaps more concerned to proofread everythign several times, and perhaps especially for foreigners, who might want to ensure that their writing is fully idiomatic, etc. And a minor annoyance could turn into a more major one on a day full of teaching or other responsibilities. So, my plea to philosophy departments is to make sure that their advertisements accurately reflect (i) the documents that will be required and those that are optional in the online application process, and (ii) the deadlines not only for an application but, if applicable, for the receipt of letters of recommendation. It should not be that hard to do so.
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