Comments on: Lazy web requests: Online job applications; and WordPress comments and LISHost

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:06:28 +0000

Thanks again, all! Good to see my intuition was right. [I didn't necessarily ask my question in an unbiased way.]

Laura, Ms. was my toss-up option if I drifted from Professor, but I had my reservations.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:12:40 +0000

I was going to suggest Ms., which is what I use for just about everything (and what was used by the faculty at my hoity-toity undergrad college), but I think these people may be more on target with Professor or Dr. (I recoil at using the latter for anything other than an MD, but I’m in a distinct minority on that one).

By: Jonathan Rochkind

Jonathan Rochkind — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:57:04 +0000

Odds are that the appropriate title for an Associate Professor, regardless of gender, is “Dr.” But look her up on the web and see how she’s referred to, odds are you’ll find at least one reference.

Those job applications through enterprise HR systems are _awful_. Technology being used for evil, without a doubt. When I was applying for jobs, about 20% of the time I had to call the HR department for manual intervention. And I’m not someone who is easily confused by websites!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:53:04 +0000

Thanks all!! Nice that everyone pretty much agrees, too.

Now I just need to finish it in the next day or 3.

By: Em

Em — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:21:22 +0000

I agree that you don’t need “Associate.” If you know the Search Committee chair has a doctorate, use “Dr.” If not, use the more universal “Professor,” which I tend to use for any faculty member, whether an instructor or a full professor or anything in-between.

As for the other, I always think of the application form–online or paper–as something that must be fulfilled, but look to the c.v. or resume for the real info–only problem is if the information isn’t consistent.

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:48:08 +0000

“Dear Professor X” or “Dear Members of the Search Committee” are probably your best bets. No need to note that Professor X is an Associate rather than full professor.

As for your WordPress problems, I seem to be getting email notifications okay, but I get so few comments that it might take a while for me to notice a change.

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:53:11 +0000

I absolutely loathe filling out online applications. My solution to the short form field is to abbreviate as coherently as possible. If that only leaves room for an acronym, I use the acronym. I’m uploading my resume anyway, so if they want to know what it means, they’ll reference that document where I do not use acronyms.

In the same vein, any form field that requires me to input a descriptions, like “job duties,” gets a “Please see resume” and that’s all.

And finally, there is nothing natural about a cover letter. So I always stick to the most gender neutral address. I have never applied for a job with someone who’s title I knew, so I alway stick to “Dear First Last.” Also “Dear Members of the Search Committee” is good.

I hope any of that is useful!

By: Christina Pikas

Christina Pikas — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:31:35 +0000

Dear Professor X, Dear Dr. X, Dear Members of the Search Committee, …. I’ve never seen the Associate part used as a term of address. see: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/639/01/

By: Jodi Schneider

Jodi Schneider — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:25:52 +0000

‘ “Dear Associate Professor X” sounds a bit stilted to me, though. I could address my letter to the Search Committee Chair, I guess, but I do have a specific name.’

Use “Dear Professor X”. Gender and rank are irrelevant here. And good luck!