There’s an enormous amount of extreme helplessness that I’m observing. I spent an hour yesterday with an early-career academic who’s stressing out about the job search process. After listening to him go on and on about how there are only 9 jobs in his field this year, I asked where he’s looking and was stunned to discover that he used a single website where people have to pay a bundle to place job ads. He never attempted to consult the big free websites that post jobs. We looked at one of those websites and found almost a hundred job ads in his field. A hundred! It’s November, and most departments already started interviewing, so he pretty much destroyed his chances of getting a job this year.
I also am receiving job applications for a graduate assistant position. This position carries a 100% tuition waiver in addition to the salary. Our GA position pool has been cut by 66% university wide. For many people, not getting this job means not being able to go to graduate school at all. One would think people would make a minimal effort, at least, to get the job.
But no. Out of the 12 applications I have received so far, only one applicant addressed me by my name. The name that is prominently mentioned in the job ad. Most address me as “Hi!” Two don’t address me at all. One went really far and opened with “Dear Sir/Madam” and then proceeded to inform me that he’s very detail-oriented.
At this very moment, I’m sitting at an event where we offer CV editing services to graduate students who are going on the job market. I’ve been doing this since 2012 (with a break for COVID). And guess what? There have been zero people coming by. Before, I’d have a line of people seeking help. But now it’s like everybody just gave up.
People aren’t even trying. It’s sad but it’s everywhere.
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