Worth it to ask why you weren't chosen?

[lawandsocdude]

I found out through this forum that a school I desperately wanted to work for, and which I had an informational interview with at ASA, has held phone interviews and made a short list, and I'm not on it. I am really disappointed, but I'm wondering if it's even worth it to contact one of the ASA interviewers and find out why I wasn't chosen. Would this be shooting myself in the foot for any further opportunities, or is it worth finding out what might have made my application stronger? I walked away from the info interview with such a great feeling; if I hadn't, I don't think it would have hurt as much, but this was my dream job.

[veteran]

lawandsocdude,

Although I know exactly how you feel and have felt that way myself numerous times, you are not likely to get much useful information out of contacting the SC and asking why you weren't chosen.

Here is what I have learned in my 2+ years on the market.

First, SC decisions are idiosyncratic and rarely have anything to do with you as a candidate. This means there is nothing you could've done to improve your chances.

Second, the most likely situation is that you were not chosen because others were better fits, again this is not in your control. If you interviewed with them at ASA you were probably one of at least 50 to do so. This is a highly competitive market and departments have the luxury of not only filling their primary needs but also their secondary and tertiary needs that may not even be in the job ad. Again, these are things you cannot control.

Third, even if it was something you did, they are not going to tell you that. Shit, they may not even be able to articulate what separated you from another. They would most likely just resort to the "better fit" argument, which is not helpful.

Fourth, even if they do identify something you can improve upon that doesn't mean that it will help you get a different job. What one SC wants may not be what another wants. Your best bet is to just do what you deem to be your best and get feedback from your peers and mentors on your application materials, job talk, and interview skills.

Lastly you are right to speculate that it may hurt your image, since these people are busy and likely have better things to do than to stroke your bruised ego.

Just think if everyone who was rejected requested to know why? You think this sucks? Wait until you go out for an on-campus interview and they don't even call to tell you you weren't selected.

[ohno]

I think veteran does a good job of summarizing why you shouldn't do this. The basics is that it is unlikely to help you and unlikely to be clearly articulated (different members of a search committee vote for certain people for different reasons).

But I would like to add that search committees will often be limited by their schools in what they can say for reasons of legal liability, and may in fact respond to such a question in a defensive manner, imagining you may be "fishing" for a reason to sue. That would certainly reflect negatively on you, specially if they decide to hire again soon.

[rrr]

Agreed on all advice here.

But, you can make your application better - work on your publications, teaching statement, and so forth. Channel that energy into asking someone you know to review your materials and use their suggestions to make those materials better.

[SC member]

DO NOT ask why you were not chosen for an interview!!!

Why?

1. It looks tacky
2. We're overwhelmed with emails/calls as it is and will just get annoyed
3. As said, legally we can get in trouble for discussing this
4. It would seem particularly foolhardy to initiate questions like this based on information picked up in a rumor mill!