Why cant we have a more coordinated market?

[argh]

I know that in many ways I am in an enviable position, but why the hell can't we have a market that is a bit better coordinated with regards to timing? I have an exploding offer from a 4-4 institution who has pretty firm in getting an answer in 3 days, and I am a finalist at a much more desirable job with a 3-2 teaching load, better location and better salary. So I have to make a profound, life altering decision based on nothing but timing. I mean, who benefits from a system like this? Even if the exploding offer ends up tipping my decision towards the 4-4 job, that would mean that they would get a faculty member that would almost immediately be back on the market again. So why can't we have a bit more coordination in terms of dates and deadlines, so that people can choose the job they actually want, instead of having to decide whether to gamble with employment? I know this is a bit of a vent, but it is still baffling that this happens.

[they have you over a barrel]

The sh**ty jobs put you over a barrel because they know if you get anything else, they are s-o-l. On that basis they force your hand.

Take the bull by the horns and take a gamble. The second jobs sounds so much better in every way.

OR be mercenary and play them like they play us. Verbally accept the 4-4, and if the 3-2 comes through, dump the 4-4 and sign with the one that is actually good for your life.

[Yup]

Yes, it sucks. Take the offer in hand and don't feel bad about reneging if the more desirable one comes through. No one skill look out for you but yourself.

[Anony]

Does being a finalist mean you already interviewed? If so, tell them about the offer and how that place is your first choice.

[nightmares]

I literally have nightmares about OP's situation. I'm doing a flyout soon at a 4-4 meh place but there are some other promising ones coming up soon that I think I have a good shot at. I'm worried I'll get an offer after the flyout but later find out I'm a finalist for these other better ones.

I have heard that if you get an offer, it's acceptable to call a few of your other top choices and check on your status and let them know about the offer.

Honestly I'd burn a bridge if it meant long term happiness.

[um]

Definitely don't tell a place where you have interviewed (but not been given the offer) that they are not your first choice. Play your cards to your chest when it will hurt you to do otherwise. Take care of number 1.

This is a competitive market, and that really lets candidates forget that we are worth so much more than we get, even when we get a t-t. So many t-ts pay poorly, have heavy workloads, and are in rural, crappy locations. Because visitings and adjuncting are so much worse still, we learn to feel grateful to have anything gainful at all. But if 4-4 low pay gigs start to lose out to fairer setups, they will raise their game to compete for the scholars. Us. Us scholars. Scholars.

[misunderstood]

"Um" here. I think I misunderstood "Anonys" suggestion. The rest of my message stands.

[Anony]

Yes, you did. My suggestion was to go to the place you are waiting for, saying you already have an offer but that you are really interested in their position.

[argh]

Dec 12, 2015 9:40:02 GMT -5 Anony said:

Does being a finalist mean you already interviewed? If so, tell them about the offer and how that place is your first choice.

No, it means I have an interview in early January. I might get to make the place that has made an offer wait another couple of days, but certainly not another month. And I can get the better place to speed up their search, but not so that they'd be done before Christmas. So the choice is offer in hand (4-4, mid size city, limited prospects for partner) versus possible dream job (3-2, in nice, desirable location with lots of opportunities for partner, plus substantially better pay, resources, students).

Now, I understand that it is in the best interests of the place that has made me an offer to lock me down before I have a chance to get competing offers. But my point is that it probably isn't in their long term interest to do that. Having a more coordinated system may mean that certain places may lose out on certain candidates due to competition from other places, but it would also mean that the people that they get would be more likely to stick around.

Because if I do accept the 4-4 offer while having the 3-2 opportunity, you can bet I will be looking for a way out on day one (as opposed to the scenario where I was certain this was the best I could get, where I'd try to make sure I was able to keep the job).

[Delay]

Has the 4-4 already done the negotiations and stuff? That can buy you time. And while kinda shitty, you can always back out of the negotiations of the 3-2 gives you an offer.

There are other delay tactics too.

If they're not willing to negotiate or anything, you might want to consider passing anyway...

[argh]

No, but since it is a public institution, there isn't much to negotiate. I can likely buy some time, but certainly not till mid January (and given the time of the year, it is simply impossible to speed up the interview process at the other place).

[Anony]

I think with the time of year, you could slow it down. You tend to have two weeks to decide. In the second week, come back with negotiations, then you'll have a back and forth, and have another two weeks until you have to get back to them re: accepting it.

[also]

In addition to the option of burning bridges (which I think I would do in your case) and just getting out of the so-so offer after accepting it, I wonder if you could also be able negotiate afterwards a delayed start with the 3-2 place, in 2017. You could then mention to 4-4 you have this offer but that you are willing to stay a year if leaving now messes their plans. It might be better for them to try to get their second choice now and let you go, but if they can't and would need another search, then at least having you another year doesn't mess their plans as much (assuming this doesn't cost them the line like a failed search could). You'd have to move twice, but at least you don't burn bridges.

[argh]

No "two weeks to negotiate" here. Deadline is up tomorrow.

I could burn bridges, but it really is not in my nature. I'd feel extremely guilty going on an interview with an accepted offer, and even worse later going back on my word. Honestly, just thinking about it makes me anxious.

["negotiate"]

Maybe ask if you can have a course reduction the first semester, if not completely removed, maybe postponed for the Winter or Summer. That way, at least you might get something out during that semester and boost your chances of moving out...