When they don't ask for letters

[anonymous]

It seems like many of the jobs with November and December deadlines don't ask for letters of recommendation, only contact info for references (at least the ones I'm applying to). In these cases, do they ask for letters from the short list candidates or something? Or do they just contact references directly via phone for an informal discussion?

Also, do SCs ever extend an interview invitation without first contacting references?

[contact]

Usually, they call or email at least one reference beforehand (typically, your chair). I'm sure someone out there has experience a fly-out without contacting references, but I would assume it's rare.

It's kind of nice because you're not wasting your letter writers' time and you have an idea that you're at least long listed. I wish more departments used this system.

[it varies]

In these cases, do they ask for letters from the short list candidates or something?

Obviously there is going to be institutional variation. As you've noticed, many of these schools are already deviating from a norm, so it can be hard to say they're all going to do this systematically and follow the same path.

However, if a school does just ask for a list of references you can probably expect them to be contacted only if you have made a first (or possibly second) cut. That can be useful, because usually at least one of your recommenders will let you know and then you get a sense that you're still in the running.

Or do they just contact references directly via phone for an informal discussion?

Eliminate the "Or" and the answer is probably "maybe." Certainly the SC will not call every reference for every applicant, that would be a huge time-sink and the school is obviously trying to decrease its workload rather than increase it. I've had my references contacted for written or oral recommendations in these cases. (One or the other, never both in my experiences.)

Also, do SCs ever extend an interview invitation without first contacting references?

Possibly, although I would only expect this in a low-risk hiring situation. Think low-level adjuncts or a one-semester VAP. Certainly not for a TT position.

Whenever I supply a list of references in an application I always alert my recommenders about it well in advance so they're not blindsided by a last-minute request. Since they generally are working from a standard reference template this usually isn't a problem, but they do appreciate a heads-up.

[anonymous]

Thanks.

I had a phone interview recently with a SC that didn't ask for letters. I've been wondering whether they would contact my references. I don't think they have yet, which probably isn't a good sign.

[onthejobmarket]

anonymous, I'm not sure it's a sign of anything, really. I had a phone interview with a school that didn't ask for letters and now I have an on-campus interview there. None of my letter writers have heard a peep from them even though I provided a list of references when I applied.

[aussie]

On an aside: This is standard practice in, for example, Australia. I like it, as it significantly lightens the workload for referees. Generally, the referees of short listed candidates are contacted for a written reference, which are to be received before the interview.

[anon]

What about when SCs contact you (the candidate) directly to ask for letters? This recently happened to me. The deadline had passed, and the email said that it was to "complete your file." This is a place that did not ask for letters in the ad.

Does that likely represent some sort of long list, or do you think everyone gets this email?

[rrr]

That sounds like an oversight in the ad.

[anon]

Nov 21, 2011 17:07:07 GMT -5 rrr said:

That sounds like an oversight in the ad.

FWIW, the original ad asked for the names and contact information for references. Seems like if they went to the trouble to type that, they could have asked for letters, too.

[rrr]

Yeah, but have you ever met someone from an HR department? Nice people, but they don't exactly have PhDs.

[just do it]

Don't overthink this. Just supply them with the materials they've requested as soon as you can, and be grateful that someone is paying attention to your file. It doesn't matter if you are on a long list, short list, whatever, or whether the ad was poorly written or if there's miscommunication between the department and the administration. You don't know what's going on at their end, and you don't need to.

Just get them the letters and move on.