My sincere sympathies.

My word, but this process stinks.

I’m sorry to hear this Chris.

It might not be pleasant, but it seems to me that you should try an investigate what’s happening.

If you’ve been informed that you didn’t get a job, ask the chair of the department, chair of the search committee, or whoever seems the bluntest person with good information what happened. If they try to give you some bland explanation about fit, tell them that you really need the information so you can adapt. (Of course, it could be the case that fit really was the reason).

Toward the end of your time at SLU, you might want to ask somebody there as well.

Also, have you tried practicing your job talk with a group who will give you feedback?

I think four of them were “fit,” at least if the wiki and my sources are to be believed: SLU wanted a person who did institutions, SHSU hired an advanced assistant who’s from Houston (and had an extensive publication record), ATU hired someone from around Russellville originally (and I think the lack of a wedding band on my hand hurt me), and I think E&H had an internal candidate. High Point hired nobody, so who knows what that was about—I thought that went well, but maybe it didn’t (maybe I didn’t seem enthusiastic enough about teaching a 4–4 with 7 preps a year; maybe I looked like I’d fly the coop in 2–3 years… I don’t know what goes through the heads of search committee members).

But maybe I really do suck. My current and former students don’t seem to think so, by and large (with the regular quota of exceptions); my former bosses don’t seem to think so, nor (I think) does my current boss. I’ve gotten other jobs, so I don’t think I’m a bad interviewee. But I could be wrong.

I would not be so quick to just blow it off as “fit.” If you are really serious about getting a job, you need be critical about your performance at each interview. Schools using the “fit” explanation is like ladies saying “it’s not you it’s me”...everyone knows that is a load of crap.

Was your research presentation too narrow and complex (you did not give the ‘measuring political sophistication’ presentation, did you?)? It is probably better to choose an interesting substantive piece…also keep the methods section very short and avoid jargon at all costs (Avoid making audience members feel stupid or like old dinosaurs). State upfront the broad importance of the research—this will help draw in your audience. The goal should be making your research accessible to all…even those theorists, IR-types, etc. Once you get a job and send the research to a journal, you can then “tech-it-up.”

As for the other aspects of the interview, it might be worthwhile to do a practice run-through of questions, etc. with a couple people. They will be able to tell you if you’re giving off some weird vibe or saying things that would keep you from getting the job.

I don’t think I’m being quick in that regard—I’m giving a substantive research presentation (the strategic voting presentation) and if you look at the PDF copy you’ll note that there’s almost no methods in the presentation—three effects displays, which I discuss, and one table with regression results that I usually blow straight past with my clicker. I’ve presented it to undergrads and they get it.

I suppose there could be something to the “weird vibe” thing, though.

You really can’t know without asking. It will be uncomfortable, but there’s nothing to lose at those places, and there’s a lot to be gained by getting an outsider’s perspective. Like all of us, you can only guess at how you’re perceived and what’s relevant about you to their decision.

It could also be the case that something idiosyncratic to each place is what did you in. That would be liberating. 5 interviews is a lot, but it’s not hard for there to be that many flukes.

In any case, it would be worth it to contact some of these people again, especially the ones that you would have liked to ended up at.

Dear Chris,
It only takes one job. You will find it. I feel for you because of the veto process in academic jobs means it only takes one person who doesn’t like you to lose the job. Hang in my friend. I had to become a generalist to find a job. Good luck.

Dr. Mark Griffith

Hey Chris,

Just so you know, I practiced what I preach today. I had two interviews that didn’t result in an offer. I talked to the chair of one of those search committees. In my case, I got beat out on publications by somebody, but I know that everything I did during the visit was good.

Let me know if you’d like me to take this to email. I’m not trying to harrass you with this thread, but I think you should grab that outside perspective while you can.

Well, I followed up with a couple of departments today; we’ll see what they have to say.

And, by all means, let’s take it to email—I’m trying to reduce the amount of job stuff that gets posted here anyway. Let’s call it a natural experiment.