From: merolajs@vtcc1.cc.vt.edu (JOSEPH S. MEROLA DEPT OF CHEMISTRY VPI&SU)
Newsgroups: sci.research.careers
Subject: Re: Interview Experiences?
Keywords: interview, acadmics, industry
Date: 22 Jul 92 20:01:00 GMT
Distribution: world,local
Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.40

In article <1992Jul22.174540.28231@unixg.ubc.ca>, moore@theory.chem.ubc.ca (Brian Moore) writes...
>In article <22JUL199211242595@vtcc1.cc.vt.edu> merolajs@vtcc1.cc.vt.edu (JOSEPH S. MEROLA DEPT OF CHEMISTRY VPI&SU) writes:
> 
>>... For the last position
>>we filled (this year) some 30-40 of those applications came from people
>>who responed to an ad without really reading it:  they were not in the
>>proper area.  ...
> 
>This really drives me crazy when I hear people say this over and over.
>Really, does it not occur to anyone that most people 
>don't respond to such ads unless they have exhausted *all possible
>avenues* in the exact area of their specialty?  I suppose you could
>argue that there are better ways of going about it once you've reached
>that point (I'd be interested to hear ideas--short of just giving
>up).
> 
>--
>Brian Moore
>Chemistry Dept.  University of British Columbia  moore@theory.chem.ubc.ca

     Perhaps I was a little unkind in jumping to the conclusion that 
people didn't read the ads, but sometimes I have to wonder.  If your 
area of expertise differs somewhat from the advertised area, there is 
nothing wrong with applying provided that you explain very clearly why
you think you are still qualified for the position.  In many of the
cases that I described above, it was obvious that the application
package was a generic one that the applicant sent everywhere and
no attempt was made to show that the person seriously considered the
area.  It is especially surprising when the areas are so dissimilar such
as the case of a physicist applying for a position advertised for
a synthetic organic chemist.  

     Okay, so how do you make sure that you are seriously considered 
even if you deviate somewhat from the advertised area?  First, spell
out explicitly in your cover letter why you think you are an
appropriate candidate for the position even with the difference in
specialties.   Second, call the institution and speak with the
department chair and/or the chair of the search committee.  Discuss
your qualifications and how they might fit in. (Personal contact is
much more effective in getting your qualifications considered.  At the
very least, this may spur someone into giving your application a
second look.  Third, use chemical society meetings effectively to get
yourself known.  Here again, the personal factor helps your application
rise above those that have no real person connected to them in the
minds of the committee.  Finally, if you have been despairingly
unsuccessful in your search, try to get people at the places where you
applied to give you a critical assessment of your application
package and what you could do to improve your chances.

     While I appreciate your frustration, I still have to say that I
find it amazing that people apply to just about any ad.  While it
would certainly be appropriate for, let's say, an organometallic
position to have applicants who consider themselves either organic
or inorganic.  However, someone who is trained as a theoretical
physical chemist would be unreasonable to apply for a position
requesting a synthetic organic chemist.  

     Anyway, good luck.  While the admonition to be persistent may
sound hollow, that is really the best advice one can give.  

Joseph S. Merola
Department of Chemistry
Virginia Tech (aka VPI&SU)

Newsgroups: sci.research.careers