0.5 Negotiating an academic job offer: what, when, how  (Page 3/3)

When the chair/dean asks…

• Provide them with precisely what they request
• If you feel that they have not requested a critical piece of information, inquire if they would like that information
• Provide the information promptly and with as much detail as possible

Negotiating: use the chair as advocate

If the department wishes to make an offer, they want you

• Identify aspects of the offer that do not work for you and talk with the Chair
• Provide alternative avenues
  • Example: If you need specific equipment that won’t fit into the “package,” identify where shared equipment might work for you and ask for the Chair/Dean to arrange appropriate access

Negotiating with the chair

• Generally happens on second visit
  • Best done face-to-face
• Think through what you truly want/need
  • Remember the Chair is also learning in this process
• Ask with respect but clarity
• Recognize that the answer may be “no” but it may be “yes”
• Use tact and try not to blatantly pit offers against one another — but if something really matters to you, say so carefully

Remember… a balancing act

• The department/institution has limits and multiple demands on resources
  • They want you at the lowest cost
  • But they also want you to succeed
• It is therefore important to ask for what you need
• You may not get what you ask, and then you have to decide, which is why thinking ahead is important

Don’t keep them waiting

• Once you have been asked for information or a decision, provide it promptly
• Don’t shortchange yourself, but don’t take advantage
• Don’t play games
  • Be smart, be clear, but don’t try to ‘fake them out’ in some way
  • Remember you will, if successful, be colleagues with the folks with whom you are negotiating

Questions to answer (or not…)

• Where are you interviewing?
  • You can tell them, or you can simply say that you have several interviews in X time frame (which can be helpful)
  • Be clear that if someone wants to know, they can search your name and find the seminar schedules elsewhere
• Do you have other offers/second interviews?
  • Do what feels most comfortable to you, but knowing that you have options may be helpful in getting an offer

Two body issue

• When to raise issue of “two bodies”?
  • Definitely when you are being made an offer and terms are under discussion
  • Helpful to let Chair know at some point in the process where the discussion is more serious
  • During the interview process — gives lots of time to find potential placement but may dissuade
  • No “right” answer – you have to judge the person with whom you are dealing. Listen to your “gut”

• Reality – the sooner this situation is known, the greater possibility for partner placement

When to respond to an offer

• If you know your response, respond to the offer as quickly as possible
• If you need longer to give an answer, formulate a response quickly (within a day) that conveys your interest and your need for time
• Non-responsiveness will be interpreted, perhaps erroneously

What happens…

If I get an offer, but it’s not really the one I want

• If you are interested in another place and have been interviewed (or have an interview scheduled), let that Chair know that you have this offer and your deadline. Let the offering department know that you need time to make a decision.
• If you have no other prospects, you’ll have to decide whether to take it or wait

Remember…

• You are unique, what you need is unique
• The institution will have a limited set of resources spread in different places
• Together you have to find the best mutual path forward — don’t forget the nature of the colleagues and the environment for your work and teaching in the equation
• Be professional but strategic (don’t play games) — you want to leave a good impression everywhere you interview

A cautionary note

• Search processes are very expensive for departments — time, effort, resources
• Once you have an offer, make a decision as expeditiously as possible
  • Don’t drag out the decision process, but take the time you need
• Be careful how you use an offer with other institutions
  • Faculty have long memories — and it is a very small world

Think positively…

…and do your homework!!

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH!!

ANY QUESTIONS?