A day screening the adjunct pool...

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by Shawn Ambrose, Jul 1, 2010.

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  1. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    As the Interim Academic Dean at my institution, I spent time today looking through adjunct faculty applications (Sorry - DI folks, we're looking for traditional classroom teachers - no online teaching opportunities at this time).

    Here are some things I saw which amazed me:

    1. Don't send a blanket e-mail with 50+ e-mail addresses as your cover letter.

    2. Dear Sir/Madam, To Whom It May Concern, Dear Academic Dean, etc. is not appropriate. Our school has a web page with a directory, application instructions, etc. Take a few minutes and address your materials to someone (and if you follow the instructions, that's a bonus).

    3. Please do not correct your resume with a pen. Fix the resume.
     
  2. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Shawn,

    I believe I have seen some of the most bizarre resumes over the years. Recently I reviewed a resume from an individual who had a "cosmic" security clearance. Certainly a higher level of clearance than I have ever seen before.

    So how are the Dean duties going?
     
  3. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    It really boggles the mind. I would assume that it would be better in academia, but I guess not.

    I've advertised for various management positions when I was responsible for hiring at various organizations, and it just floors me some of the stuff people submit.

    -- Generic cover letter that appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with the job they are applying for

    -- Cover letter and resume riddled with typos, spelling errors, grammatical/syntactic errors. This is supposed to be where an applicant is trying to impress me. ONE error is inexcusable, but many applications had a dozen or more.

    -- It's happened twice now that I've gotten an email that said, nearly word-for-word, "I might be interested in this position. Give me a call and let's discuss it." No cover letter or resume.

    In one case, I responded back to an applicant who sent a cover letter that wasn't even remotely addressing anything we mentioned in the ad and said "Did you even bother to read what we were looking for?" And got a response back "Yes, I did, I was just applying for a lot of jobs." I think I responded back and said "Well, I'd suggest rethinking your approach."

    I really wonder what the US workforce is coming to.
     
  4. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I can't wrap my brain around this one. I wonder if this is how they try to pick up women:

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sent To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

    Subject: How YOU doin'?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Or via IM:

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    LouZihr: Hey there, to whom it may concern, are you free Friday afternoon?
    Katie765: I have to bring my dog to the vet, she has cancer.
    LouZihr: AWESOME!! See you then!!
    Katie765: What?! Did you even read what I wrote.
    LouZihr: Uh, yeah, sry, I was just asking out a lot of women at once. Saves time. So, is that a "no?"
    Katie765: That's a NEVER.
    LouZihr: OK, I'll update my database. CuL8r
    Katie765: No you won't.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These are the people that rant about how they wasted money on their degrees. $125,000 in debt and no job? It must be the school!
     
  5. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Kevin,

    Not bad, just looking for adjuncts and preparing for our new Academic Dean to assume duties on July 12.

    Shawn
     
  6. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Now that's funny!

    Shawn
     

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