Bossy SC member?

[yep]

OK, what would you do if you went on an interview that seemed to go great, except that one of the search committee members was exceedingly bossy?

As in, he was suggesting what kinds of books to add to the courses I said I was interested in teaching, a little too involved when the lunch conversation turned to classroom management, and so forth.

I'm afraid that since I was geeked out having an interview, I pushed back a little more than I should have, rather than being extra careful. This was because I was almost shocked at this behavior, and so not ready for the junior member of the panel to act so involved in something that might not even happen. I mean, I haven't been hired yet, and you don't teach the class, so why do you care so much how I would teach it?

The rest of the committee, I think they must have been interested in seeing what would happen, because I didn't see any encouragement or discouragement. I think he must have been frustrated, because he left lunch kind of early.

Advice/interpretations?

(My interpretation is that he may have been feeling left out and thus acted out. Or it could have been planned as a test of how I deal with difficult people.)

[bandit]

It could be as simple as a domineering personality, an extrovert trying to be helpful, someone with a large ego, etc.

A more focused question might be: why is it bothering you? If you don't get hired because of someone who's so domineering they scratch you off the list, not getting a job at this place might leave you better off in the long run!

[also]

My advice would also be to refrain from shit-talking departments immediately post visit. Anonymous board or not, it is still a small world...

[yupyup]

^ for rizzle my nizzle.

[socdog32]

I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe this person is bossy with everyone, and everyone just ignores him. There is someone in every department that is bossy, or rude, or a know-it-all. That's just part of interviewing. You need to be polite but also stand your ground. I really doubt it was a test by the other members of the SC. I would just forget about it - no use worrying about it. And if you get the job, you can teach the class however you want!!!

[phd]

Oct 6, 2011 16:24:53 GMT -5 @also said:

My advice would also be to refrain from shit-talking departments immediately post visit. Anonymous board or not, it is still a small world...

I could not agree with this more, if anyone from that department is reading this (and they do) your goose is cooked

[Umm]

Oct 6, 2011 14:59:45 GMT -5 yep said:

I mean, I haven't been hired yet, and you don't teach the class, so why do you care so much how I would teach it?

Umm...because some people care about teaching, pedagogical strategy, etc.? Why wouldn't people want to know your stance prior to hiring you?

[yep]

Yes, normally one should be politic for posting, but this was just for a spring semester fill-in, not tenure track, so I'm not being that careful.

So I will just ask, again, why a junior faculty was getting up so hard in my business? Teaching and pedagogy matter, and of course I got those kinds of normal questions. But this was objectively over the top. Why did this person need to get so crazy about what specific books I would be using? Obviously if this person was a senior faculty who had taught the course, I would defer, but this was a junior faculty member who had never taught the course, questioning me about my textbook choices. (Note that the rest of the committee wasn't too concerned - just this one guy.) I wonder if he had a preferred candidate that wasn't me.

Still, I guess it was nice that they felt inclined to take me to lunch for just a replacement position.

[chimer]

I have been--and will be--on SCs, so I'll chime in.

Asking how you'll teach a course and what books you'll use are entirely appropriate questions. There are subtle and polite ways to suggest to candidates how they should run their courses, and it sounds like this person needs a lesson in social skills.

My guess: this person--even if junior--is in the middle of a long, drawn out argument with his colleagues over how particular courses should be taught. He was likely asking your opinion so that he could use your answers to bolster his case. When you didn't oblige, he saw this opportunity fleeting away, and bolted.

He may be a jerk. Or his colleagues may be jerks. Who knows. You likely just got caught up in some dept politics that started long before you showed up and will be around long after your semester stint is over.

[yep]

Aw, thank you wise fora. I had not considered the issue of getting into the middle of longstanding debates. That make a lot of sense.

[interpretation]

It's hard to say what was going on with this faculty member given your recounting of events. I do think that class organization is something that a lot of people talk about and it's perfectly normal for people to suggest things - even if it's not their area - and to be excited about various ideas. Give this, at first I thought that you were over-reacting, but your follow-up suggests that he might have been more than passionate and interested.

However, I want to reiterate the small-world effect. These people might have only been interviewing you for a position that you're not all that interested in, but it's likely that they have friends in other departments who are hiring and who might be considering you. It is best to be on your best behavior - for lack of a best expression - throughout the processes, wherever you are, and even in an anonymous forum.

[wow]

ha. tisk tisk for trash talking on a public messageboard. this world is too small for such behavior.

[another interpretation]

Yep, you mention this is a short term fill-in position. They may, for whatever reason, need the course taught in a particular style due to how it contributes to their overall major. If they are not looking to replace the faculty member on leave/sabbatical, it makes sense to want to give their majors a comparable experience. It also makes sense to me to not want to allow someone who may only work in the department for one semester the freedom to deviate from the way things are done. Some department cultures share ownership of the major as a collective.

I believe everyone should have academic freedom over their courses, of course, but can understand why the department wants to retain control in this situation.

[rrr]

Seconding the advice to shut the heck up about the market.

[me]

You think I was being bossy? You were being incredibly argumentative when all I was trying to do was ask a few questions.