Is this unprofessional?

Is this unprofessional?

anonsensical (guest) 27 Oct 2011 16:33

If a job that you really, really wanted for reasons of your fit with the department as well as geography opened up, would you put in your cover letter how much you want the job? Would you state that explicitly? It's not my style to do that, but I really, really want that job. Really.

ppp (guest) 27 Oct 2011 17:05

how would you actually express this in your letter ? i think it's all about tact - if you're basically begging and pleading, i don't think it will get you anywhere (you'll sound nutty). But if you express your interest in other more subtle ways relevant to their search, it might work. For example, some schools are plagued by several years of job offers that don't materialize because people keep turning their school down in favor of other offers. this is frustrating and time-wasting for them. if you're talking about a school like this, it might be powerful for you to state that they are your top choice out of all you are applying to… if you are a slam dunk in terms of accepting an offer, they might be more willing to choose you relative to someone who might not be so committed to the job/area/school/etc.

that said, i don't think this is going to make much of a difference unless you are already on the short list for the job. good luck!

anonymous (guest) 27 Oct 2011 17:47

I had the same issue. This is my first job search so I don't know the best thing to do, but I did allude to it in my own cover letter. I just said that I had grown up in the area and that I have wanted to work at an institution like theirs (and listed specific attributes) for a long time. Good luck!

cogpsychanon (guest) 27 Oct 2011 18:30

i agree with ppp that probably the best way to signal your extreme interest in a position is to let them know that they are your top choice. the major downside to this is that you lose power during negotiations because they know that ultimately you'll take what they offer you.

thatdude (guest) 27 Oct 2011 21:00

If you allude to it at the end of the letter, I would think that's fine.

If you're doing more than alluding to it and making that the bulk of your letter then you'll have a problem.

Make sure it's about more substantive reasons for your interest (e.g., family, friends, colleagues in the area which can benefit you and your students) rather than "I hate xxxxxxx weather and want to move back to the state of XX where your institution happens to be…"