And, with the rise of personal web pages, employers, in turn, can learn more about applicants. Finally, driven by the poor job market for Ph.D.'s, the reputation of the E.R. has diminished. Many interviews feel like a waste of time to either the applicant or the interviewer, and interviews have not often enough led to jobs. Among the young mathematicians that I have talked to, the E.R. is spoken about with cynicism rather than a sense of opportunity. Besana's words below are a prime example of this sentiment.
Employers are few and frustration is high.
The Young Mathematicians' Network is working on an improved World Wide Web site, coming soon to a browser near you. I have not seen on the YMN newsletter any posting commenting on the recent Employment Register at the Joint Meeting in Orlando. It was my second experience with the ER, after San Francisco '95. I could quite frankly say that all of my four interviews in the ER were essentially a waste of time, but this might be too personal a situation and I am trying here to make a point with some sort of general value. I do not think so.