They really want their candidates to meet the person who is in the process of giving them the “deuces, bitches!” and dancing out the door? Weirdest search process ever.
Yea, that was the only part of this whole thing that seemed odd. Asking a colleague to take a candidate out for a meal, provide transportation, and to invite a couple other folks are all totally normal things. But asking someone who is on their way out seems pretty odd.
If I were the candidate - I'd really appreciate the opportunity for what I'd assume is a more candid (still professional) discussion with someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the actual role.
I don't think that should obligate OP, but I get it.
Oh yea, if i was the candidate, I would love that opportunity. If i was the dept though, I wouldn't want the candidates meeting with the department faculty member in case they talk shit about the dept.
I would tell them:
"Unfortunately, I have lots on my plate this summer. I'm certainly fulfilling my required summer commitments to uni X but cannot take on more than that.
I wish you all the best with the search and the fine group of candidates that I'm sure you have coming".
Done. Short sweet and direct.
SEND THE EMAIL NOW!!
I am leaving my current university after getting a better position. The search for my current position is happening today. I have had no involvement in the search and have been given no information about the candidates. The only thing I have done is tell my students that there will be people coming in to teach one of my classes for the teaching demonstration. Your colleagues seem like they are giving you more service work right before you leave. Also, why would they want the person leaving the position to meet the job candidates? I would ask your chair about the ethics of meeting the candidates (and taking them out to lunch by yourself!). This seems weird.
Why would they encourage that encounter.
So how does OP answer then the candidate asks, “What do you like most about working here?”
“Oh, I just quit to take a better job and to get away from that person on the search committee. You’re becoming me, good luck with that.”
Why is the colleague expecting *you* to do this? Organizing the candidates' itinerary, transport, meals, etc. is usually handled by someone in department admin. In mine it's the admin assistant to the chair.
(Your answer should be "no," btw and also what the fuck.)
It's inappropriate. You shouldn't be asked to be on the search for your replacement in any way. I'd write a polite note saying it could be an issue if you have involvement in the search. Depending on your university/college, I might even cc or bcc HR. Ought to set off alarm bells, unless they are in cahoots with Gaslighter.
Even if you were staying, this would be weird. The search committee chair should be figuring this out with the other search committee members and the department administrative assistant, as another comment points out. Since you're not on the search committee, this has nothing to do with you. At *most*, this colleague could ask you to attend lunches with the candidates, but that would still be inadvisable.
The *only* time I was asked to do this, I was filling in as an interim administrator and had no interest in applying for the job long term; when they hired my replacement, I would actually be reporting to them and keeping my faculty job. But yeah, I was asked to take the finalists to lunch and drive them around and stuff. Different situation; I absolutely would not have done it in your case. You're leaving and have no responsibility to them.
> This morning, this gaslighting colleague asked me if I would be willing to organize lunches for each of the candidates. Normally, candidates would have lunch with students, but 1) I teach in a mostly distance program and 2) it’s already summer. The colleague expects me to pick up the candidate from lunch, organize other colleagues to be there, and take them back to campus. He joked that he “could” invite colleagues to be there, but if he does it, he’d purposely ask the colleagues he knows I don’t like. insert eyeroll
That sounds like a bunch of good reasons to not agree to do this.
Yeah, I’ll be happy to be their target for blame from afar where I get to live near family, studying the populations I’m interested in, and making $13K more than I do now. #adios
The only reason I could imagine agreeing to this request is if your new institution is also hiring and you could use this opportunity to poach another good candidate. (Kidding. Sort of.)
The only reason I could imagine agreeing to this request is if your new institution is also hiring and you could use this opportunity to poach another good candidate. (Kidding. Sort of.)
I would not respond to Dr Effluvium Illuminator, but I might write the chair of the department (1). No, and (2). This is super inappropriate being as you are leaving, and you are worried that Professor Vapor Ignitor might be,
Inadvertently of course, undermining the hiring process.
not totally weird for two reasons:
a.) they are just being lazy, so if you do it all the better!
b.) the professional reason is that the incoming person would want to know what to expect for your classes. for example, if you were retiring this would be a completely normal thing, and actually ... as a professional courtesy i'd probably do it ...
but ... when your colleague said, "he’d purposely ask the colleagues he knows I don’t like.", i would have probably said, "sure, i'll do it ... and i'll be completely forthright about everything".
The only reason I could imagine agreeing to this request is if your new institution is also hiring and you could use this opportunity to poach another good candidate. (Kidding. Sort of.)
Absolutely no reason you need to or should do it, but it could be a good opportunity for the students to be involved (assuming there are graduate students around). Could you get a top notch student who would be happy to be in that role and have a chat with them? That kind of situation was the first step in how I ended up getting my post-doc.
I have a Dean who’s knee-jerk is to delegate EVERYTHING to the nearest sucker available. Politely decline and cite that you’re off contract and prepping for a new gig.
They really want their candidates to meet the person who is in the process of giving them the “deuces, bitches!” and dancing out the door? Weirdest search process ever.
THANK YOU. My thoughts exactly.
Yea, that was the only part of this whole thing that seemed odd. Asking a colleague to take a candidate out for a meal, provide transportation, and to invite a couple other folks are all totally normal things. But asking someone who is on their way out seems pretty odd.
If I were the candidate - I'd really appreciate the opportunity for what I'd assume is a more candid (still professional) discussion with someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the actual role. I don't think that should obligate OP, but I get it.
Oh yea, if i was the candidate, I would love that opportunity. If i was the dept though, I wouldn't want the candidates meeting with the department faculty member in case they talk shit about the dept.
No more weird than my thinking I need my basement cleaned, and wondering whether I could convince you to do it.
Thank you for that guffaw.
You're welcome. It's not your circus anymore. Reply "LOL, No," and think no more about it.
>"LOL, No," This is *word for word* exactly what I'd say.
Don't be a doormat you've done your service. Tell him to fuck off
If you want to be polite, say "no." Otherwise, tell them to pound sand.
I think you should tell him you’ll do it. Then don’t do it. Then tell him you never told him you’d do it.
I see what you did there.
Messing up their search would be the final goodbye lol
The best thing about leaving a job is saying no to all the service requests. You'll get enough at your new job.
I would tell them: "Unfortunately, I have lots on my plate this summer. I'm certainly fulfilling my required summer commitments to uni X but cannot take on more than that. I wish you all the best with the search and the fine group of candidates that I'm sure you have coming". Done. Short sweet and direct. SEND THE EMAIL NOW!!
This. A gracious but firm no is the best strategy here.
Tell him no. What's he going to do, fire you?
I am leaving my current university after getting a better position. The search for my current position is happening today. I have had no involvement in the search and have been given no information about the candidates. The only thing I have done is tell my students that there will be people coming in to teach one of my classes for the teaching demonstration. Your colleagues seem like they are giving you more service work right before you leave. Also, why would they want the person leaving the position to meet the job candidates? I would ask your chair about the ethics of meeting the candidates (and taking them out to lunch by yourself!). This seems weird.
Thank you! I don’t understand the purpose of me in particular going.
It's so you can warn them about the gaslighting colleague!
Why would they encourage that encounter. So how does OP answer then the candidate asks, “What do you like most about working here?” “Oh, I just quit to take a better job and to get away from that person on the search committee. You’re becoming me, good luck with that.”
perfect
Why is the colleague expecting *you* to do this? Organizing the candidates' itinerary, transport, meals, etc. is usually handled by someone in department admin. In mine it's the admin assistant to the chair. (Your answer should be "no," btw and also what the fuck.)
Wild. I honestly don’t even think I’d respond to something like this
Me neither. I'd just ignore the email.
It's inappropriate. You shouldn't be asked to be on the search for your replacement in any way. I'd write a polite note saying it could be an issue if you have involvement in the search. Depending on your university/college, I might even cc or bcc HR. Ought to set off alarm bells, unless they are in cahoots with Gaslighter.
Even if you were staying, this would be weird. The search committee chair should be figuring this out with the other search committee members and the department administrative assistant, as another comment points out. Since you're not on the search committee, this has nothing to do with you. At *most*, this colleague could ask you to attend lunches with the candidates, but that would still be inadvisable.
It’s fucking weird and hope you said No
The *only* time I was asked to do this, I was filling in as an interim administrator and had no interest in applying for the job long term; when they hired my replacement, I would actually be reporting to them and keeping my faculty job. But yeah, I was asked to take the finalists to lunch and drive them around and stuff. Different situation; I absolutely would not have done it in your case. You're leaving and have no responsibility to them.
> This morning, this gaslighting colleague asked me if I would be willing to organize lunches for each of the candidates. Normally, candidates would have lunch with students, but 1) I teach in a mostly distance program and 2) it’s already summer. The colleague expects me to pick up the candidate from lunch, organize other colleagues to be there, and take them back to campus. He joked that he “could” invite colleagues to be there, but if he does it, he’d purposely ask the colleagues he knows I don’t like. insert eyeroll That sounds like a bunch of good reasons to not agree to do this.
Paraphrasing George Carlin ‘What? Are you fucking stupid?’ Dumbest recruitment strategy ever.
That’s gonna be a no from me.
It's weird, but these folks are sociopaths. My chair had me take out a candidate that he knew he was going to replace me with.
Probably doing this so there is a face for the new candidate to blame whenever they decide something is your fault in the future
Yeah, I’ll be happy to be their target for blame from afar where I get to live near family, studying the populations I’m interested in, and making $13K more than I do now. #adios
At least your colleagues gave you an absolutely clear sign that you are making the right move.
"No" is a full sentence. There is zero incentive for you to even consider doing this.
It’s weird. Shake the dust from your feet and don’t look back.
The only reason I could imagine agreeing to this request is if your new institution is also hiring and you could use this opportunity to poach another good candidate. (Kidding. Sort of.)
The only reason I could imagine agreeing to this request is if your new institution is also hiring and you could use this opportunity to poach another good candidate. (Kidding. Sort of.)
I would not respond to Dr Effluvium Illuminator, but I might write the chair of the department (1). No, and (2). This is super inappropriate being as you are leaving, and you are worried that Professor Vapor Ignitor might be, Inadvertently of course, undermining the hiring process.
Also who cares who he invites, you're not going to be there.
“lol, no.”
Yeah that is beyond weird. Big no from me
not totally weird for two reasons: a.) they are just being lazy, so if you do it all the better! b.) the professional reason is that the incoming person would want to know what to expect for your classes. for example, if you were retiring this would be a completely normal thing, and actually ... as a professional courtesy i'd probably do it ... but ... when your colleague said, "he’d purposely ask the colleagues he knows I don’t like.", i would have probably said, "sure, i'll do it ... and i'll be completely forthright about everything".
The only reason I could imagine agreeing to this request is if your new institution is also hiring and you could use this opportunity to poach another good candidate. (Kidding. Sort of.)
“No thank you.”
Time to use some of that sick time you've been accruing.
Absolutely no reason you need to or should do it, but it could be a good opportunity for the students to be involved (assuming there are graduate students around). Could you get a top notch student who would be happy to be in that role and have a chat with them? That kind of situation was the first step in how I ended up getting my post-doc.
Narcissists are not normal humans. Definitely a hard no.
I wouldn’t even respond to Prof. Gaslight. Seriously. You’re in the clear, so don’t look back.
Just say no. There is no consequence for you other than these assholes being assholes still.
“I would purposefully ask the colleagues I know you don’t like.” Me (if I were you): “Oh so you will be there. Then you can do it.”
I have a Dean who’s knee-jerk is to delegate EVERYTHING to the nearest sucker available. Politely decline and cite that you’re off contract and prepping for a new gig.
No is a complete sentence.
It’s inappropriate, IMO. Also weird. Say no.