Seeking a New Job (II)

The academic world is one in which the mill grinds slowly.  University administrators and faculty prize process over results (one of several areas they share with most Baptist churches).  And so the process takes a while.  I first saw the job ad in December and began to compile my application packet.  Standard contents requested by a university search committee are: A letter of application, a resume (called a curriculum vita or cv), four references, and copies of transcripts for each of your degrees.

This can take awhile to assemble.  The most difficult part is crafting a letter of application that  is specific to the institution and demonstrates that you are familiar with their focus and their interests, all the while demonstrating that you, coincidentally, happen to be the best candidate for the position.

So over the holidays (almost exactly a year ago) I worked on my application.  The hardest part of the process was getting two of my references.  I wanted to get one from a colleague and I wanted to get one from my supervisor.  So part of our decision to apply for this position was talking to these two colleagues and letting them know that I was interested.

Telling my supervisor that I was searching for another job seemed to be crossing a Rubicon of sorts.  But, it ended up going better than I thought.  My supervisor told me he thought I was ready for the promotion and that I should definitely apply for another job (thanks?).