Emailing HOD to enhance faculty application












3















I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.



Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?



I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.










share|improve this question























  • It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.

    – Prof. Santa Claus
    3 hours ago
















3















I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.



Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?



I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.










share|improve this question























  • It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.

    – Prof. Santa Claus
    3 hours ago














3












3








3








I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.



Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?



I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.










share|improve this question














I am a postdoc in the process of applying for faculty position in universities. Most applications require you to apply all the materials on an online portal or careers page, which I do.



Now there must be hundreds or more applications. To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively. If it helps, what should the content of the email be?



I have seen a similar question on SE: emailing contacts after applying for faculty jobs, but my question deals with an unknown person at the university.







application faculty-application assistant-professor






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 12 hours ago









nxkryptornxkryptor

4202511




4202511













  • It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.

    – Prof. Santa Claus
    3 hours ago



















  • It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.

    – Prof. Santa Claus
    3 hours ago

















It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.

– Prof. Santa Claus
3 hours ago





It is probably better to email before you submit your application and ask, does my CV fit or am I competitive? If the HoD says no, you and him/her would have saved some time. Otherwise, he/she may remember your application when it comes through.

– Prof. Santa Claus
3 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















13















To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.




Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.



The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.






share|improve this answer

































    11














    First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.



    Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).



    Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 2





      I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

      – DreamConspiracy
      6 hours ago



















    0














    In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who




    1. Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or

    2. Are likely to receive multiple job offers.


    Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.






    share|improve this answer
























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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      13















      To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.




      Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.



      The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.






      share|improve this answer






























        13















        To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.




        Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.



        The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.






        share|improve this answer




























          13












          13








          13








          To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.




          Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.



          The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.






          share|improve this answer
















          To stand out from the rest of the applicants and to bring to attention the application to the head of the department (HOD), would emailing the HOD enhance my application or would it affect it negatively.




          Realistically, it does not affect your application at all. Firstly, this does not make you "stand out" nearly as much as you think it does, because quite a few people have the idea that writing some sort of personal letter to the head of the hiring committee improves their chances. Secondly, what do you expect will realistically happen? That the HoD thinks "gee, nxkryptor certainly shows initiative, better put them on the shortlist"? This is really not how academic hiring works.



          The most realistic effect is that the HoD sees your email among the >100 mails of the day, exhales a short sigh, and then either directly moves it to "read" or writes you a polite "thanks for letting me know". 120 seconds later they have forgotten your name again, and it won't impact the evaluation of your package in any noticeable way.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 3 hours ago









          David Richerby

          30.3k662126




          30.3k662126










          answered 11 hours ago









          xLeitixxLeitix

          103k37248392




          103k37248392























              11














              First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.



              Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).



              Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.






              share|improve this answer



















              • 2





                I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

                – DreamConspiracy
                6 hours ago
















              11














              First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.



              Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).



              Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.






              share|improve this answer



















              • 2





                I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

                – DreamConspiracy
                6 hours ago














              11












              11








              11







              First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.



              Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).



              Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.






              share|improve this answer













              First, the person most involved with a search is the chair of the search committee. Sometimes this is the HoD, but often it is not. Sometimes the HoD is on the search committee and sometimes they are not. Often, and in my opinion ideally, the HoD is not involved in the search until the end.



              Now to answer your question. If you know someone in the department you can, and should, email/call them that you are applying. You should also ask for whatever inside information they have. If you have questions (e.g., I am in subfield X, is that within the scope of the search), then you can email search chair (or whoever the contact point is).



              Do not email the head of department, the chair of the search or anyone on the search committee in an attempt to stand out from the rest of the applicants. That is surely going to backfire.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 12 hours ago









              StrongBadStrongBad

              86.8k24217425




              86.8k24217425








              • 2





                I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

                – DreamConspiracy
                6 hours ago














              • 2





                I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

                – DreamConspiracy
                6 hours ago








              2




              2





              I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

              – DreamConspiracy
              6 hours ago





              I think this answer could be improved by including an explanation for the final paragraph, ie why is this going to backfire?

              – DreamConspiracy
              6 hours ago











              0














              In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who




              1. Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or

              2. Are likely to receive multiple job offers.


              Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.






              share|improve this answer




























                0














                In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who




                1. Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or

                2. Are likely to receive multiple job offers.


                Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.






                share|improve this answer


























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who




                  1. Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or

                  2. Are likely to receive multiple job offers.


                  Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.






                  share|improve this answer













                  In disagreement with the other answers: Depending on your field, there may be many people applying who




                  1. Are applying for every opening without thinking carefully about it, or

                  2. Are likely to receive multiple job offers.


                  Nobody wants to waste time offering a job to someone in those categories. An additional contact that informs the head of the search (which may or may not be the department head) that you are aware of the nature of the job and actually want it may make you stand out from people in those two categories.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 15 mins ago









                  Anonymous PhysicistAnonymous Physicist

                  20.3k84081




                  20.3k84081






























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