Why can't my husband check the status of his application?

Question

My husband is a history professor and he has applied for a new job. He sent his application in 2 weeks ago and I keep telling him to follow up with the committee to check his status. He says that in the Academic World follow up is STRICTLY prohibited! He said that he will not call and that I should not call either. Can someone tell me if this is true? Why can't my husband call the Chair of the hiring committee and follow up on his application or to show interest in the position being offered?

Answer 1

In the Academic world calling the chair looks like an act of desperation. I understand you wanting him to follow up my husband recently had an interview and I wanted him to also call however, they called him and he accepted This is in the professional field of medicine however same rules apply

Answer 2

He is correct--I know that sounds counter-intuitive to people coming from the business world. For one thing there are often so many applicants that it would become a fulltime job to deal with all the correspondence and calls--it becomes an annoyance rather than a positive sign.

However, most schools do have a form letter that comes from either the department or human resources within two or three weeks or so of applying. It serves as an assurance that the materials did indeed arrive. If he has not received this, it would not be out of line to send a BRIEF email to the search committee chair asking if the materials were recieved and whether there is anything more they would like to have.

It is a slow process. . . unfortunately there isn't much you can do about that but try to be patient. If his application was not a completed packet when he sent it (missing a transcript, or reference letters or something) he should follow up and make sure those materials arrive. Most committees cannot consider a candidate whose application is incomplete for any reason.

Good luck! I know it is hard to wait and wonder.

Answer 3

I don't know about the academic world but I do not that some employers don't like to be called. I worked for one that didn't. They were too busy to answer the calls.

Answer 4

Following up is just fine. They may or may not tell him where he stands but he could reiterate that he is seriously interested in the position. It does help.

Answer 5

you are meddling and controlling. butt out. and just for the record, academia is the slowest moving group in the world. relax.