You Matter

[Time to Breathe]

I want you to know that you matter. Your value and importance is in no way connected your ability to land a job. Your relative professional worth is not determined by the prestige of the institution that hires you.

The academic job market sucks and you are demonstrating extreme tenacity and persistence just by being here--even if it doesn't feel that way.

I hope that you find a few moments to breathe today. I hope that you find opportunities to practice loving and appreciating yourself. 

You are incredible. 

You deserve love. 

You're not letting anyone down.

I understand if this gets deleted because it's somewhat off topic but I realized that when I come to this site, it's usually during my most anxious and vulnerable moments. I imagine it is also true for many of you. It's useful to get some information about the status of searches, but what I really need when I'm here is some reminders that things are going to be okay, regardless of the outcome of this application cycle.

Sincerely,

A random internet stranger who cares about your mental and emotional health.

[ThankYou]

Bump!

[Thank you!]

I needed this.

[<3]

Huge upvote

[.]

Yes!!! Thank you for this important reminder.

[A Guest]

This is important. Thank you very much!

[11235]

Hear! Hear!

[Thanks]

I really appreciate this reminder. This process is so debilitating so I appreciate this kind message

[<3]

Really appreciate this now after the apparent rejection from UCLA

[Thank you]

None of the jobs I applied to even requested recommendation letters so I’m feeling pretty dejected. Thank you for the reminder that this is not a measure of my worth.

[Thank you]

Honestly, needed to hear this. My spouse has been telling me this all week as he sees me checking again and again, but it hits differently when someone else, here, says it.

Wishing you all the best this job season -- it's a difficult process, but I hope there is an end in sight!

[Still breathing]

Oct 10, 2023 10:58:33 GMT -5 Thank you said:

None of the jobs I applied to even requested recommendation letters so I’m feeling pretty dejected. Thank you for the reminder that this is not a measure of my worth.

I'm not sure if it makes you feel any better, but you're not alone. I've submitted 70 applications at this point, and as far as I am aware, none have initiated a reference check (other than those that do so automatically upon application submission).

It says nothing about you, the importance of your scholarship, or your worth as a human being.  The job market is humiliating, cruel, and denigrating. You'd think we could do better, given our topics and methods of study.

I'm thinking of you and wishing you the best.

[my case]

Last year, I sent in approximately 60 applications and added around 20 more this year. So far, none of these applications have progressed to the long or shortlist stage, as evidenced by the absence of requests for additional materials or interview arrangements. It’s worth considering that the updates shared on this page primarily focus on individuals who have received invitations, which may led you to perceive as though everyone else is smoothly sailing through, while you find yourself stuck. However, the truth is, those receiving invitations represent a small, standout group—though I’m genuinely pleased for them. I just thought it was important to bring this matter to light for a more balanced understanding of the situation.

[Friendly reminder]

Thank you for this kind message. I’m glad everyone is in agreement that not getting an invitation or interview is not indicative of your worth or competence. As someone who has been a assistant professor before, and has had to test out the job market multiple times, because of a spouse being relocated in the military, I understand everyone’s frustrations and despair here.

In that vein,, I have for a few friendly reminders to everyone. First, most search committee decisions are arbitrary. Many times it’s not actually the best candidate on paper who gets the job, it’s who fulfills the current needs of a department, given the political, financial, and logistical factors at stake, which are often not readily identifiable in the solicitation. Second, for better, or worse, politics does play a role behind the scenes. Departments are under enormous pressure to have a diverse workforce, and often times who is on the search committee – which is only a small chunk of an actual department - can wholly determine who even get an interview let alone the job. Third, having seen how the sausages made behind the scenes, I can tell that many junior faculty members who serve on search committees to get service requirements fulfilled, often do not want to compete with other people who are even more qualified than they are on paper. This is part of the reason why many people fresh out of a PhD program have an easier time of getting a job than someone who’s already been a professor or post doc for two or three years.

Basically, the entire process is a form of arbitrary punishment, and you should not internalize any of the rejections you get throughout the submission season.

Best of luck to everyone, keep your heads up.

[thankyou]

Thank you for the kind words. I graduated right when COVID started and it's been an awful 3 years on the academic job market. I keep getting close, but still no offers for TT jobs. I'm so tired of the randomness and uncertainty. I think this is my last year on the academic market.