The emails keep trickling in. Here’s the latest one I received. It’s actually one of the better ones — in terms of getting the tone right — but it makes it ever so clear what the odds I’m facing are.
Dear Applicant,
Please forgive this impersonal letter. Last year, our Department simultaneously conducted two tenure-track searches and one visitor search: we received close to one thousand applications (my emphases), and such large numbers of applications have been difficult to manage. Many of these applications were truly extraordinary; we were humbled by the witnessing of so much talent. It is, as I am sure you know, a poor reflection on the state of our profession that so many talented applicants may not end up landing the jobs that they deserve.
As you by now realize, you did not get the job with us. I hope that you realize that this is not necessarily because of any weaknesses in your dossier. Rather, it is, above all, the result of a dramatically over-crowded job market. If you have landed a job elsewhere, please receive my congratulations; otherwise, I wish you good luck next time. In either case, thank you very much for allowing us to consider your application.
Sincerely,
1000 applicants for 3 jobs. Anyone know how to catch lightning in a bottle? I’ll pay.
At least the letter was encouraging in its rejection.
Yep. I felt real encouraged after reading it.