What are the main reasons postdoc applicants get rejected?
I'm applying for postdoc jobs right now (math). I was put on the short-list for one position and had an interview but the PI for that postdoc made the offer to someone else. I'm starting to get discouraged and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I showed my research statement to a few faculty members and they said it was fine. I also got a letter from one very well-known mathematician. Maybe I didn't make enough faculty contacts? Was I supposed to have a contact at each place I applied to? Maybe what I am doing is not trendy enough.
My question is: What do I have to do to get noticed by the hiring committees?
mathematics postdocs job-search
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
add a comment |
I'm applying for postdoc jobs right now (math). I was put on the short-list for one position and had an interview but the PI for that postdoc made the offer to someone else. I'm starting to get discouraged and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I showed my research statement to a few faculty members and they said it was fine. I also got a letter from one very well-known mathematician. Maybe I didn't make enough faculty contacts? Was I supposed to have a contact at each place I applied to? Maybe what I am doing is not trendy enough.
My question is: What do I have to do to get noticed by the hiring committees?
mathematics postdocs job-search
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
2
Some apply for 5 or more, others 10 or more, even others 100 or more, so why expect to get an offer from the first one or two? Applying for jobs can mean many applications and rejections... Grit your teeth and persevere...
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
3
You can ask the PI to give you some feedback. They might not answer but it's worth trying, and it's very helpful when they do.
– Erwan
2 hours ago
@Erwan, I don't agree with that, it just decreases from your value! Just move on, it does not mean something wrong, in the end when there are two good candidates to the position, some personal preferences may play a role. In the end, I think it is normal, just keep trying in other projects and I am pretty sure you can find the right one that fits you.
– Monkia
1 hour ago
@Monkia in some countries you have the right to ask for feedback and if you wish to ask then they have to respond...
– Solar Mike
25 mins ago
1
@Monkia although it's human and sometimes hard to avoid, I think it's unhealthy to take negative feedback as a personal criticism. Ideally one should not feel bad about negative feedback, it's just an external evaluation of our actions; reflecting on it can can help us improve and do better next time.
– Erwan
24 mins ago
add a comment |
I'm applying for postdoc jobs right now (math). I was put on the short-list for one position and had an interview but the PI for that postdoc made the offer to someone else. I'm starting to get discouraged and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I showed my research statement to a few faculty members and they said it was fine. I also got a letter from one very well-known mathematician. Maybe I didn't make enough faculty contacts? Was I supposed to have a contact at each place I applied to? Maybe what I am doing is not trendy enough.
My question is: What do I have to do to get noticed by the hiring committees?
mathematics postdocs job-search
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
I'm applying for postdoc jobs right now (math). I was put on the short-list for one position and had an interview but the PI for that postdoc made the offer to someone else. I'm starting to get discouraged and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I showed my research statement to a few faculty members and they said it was fine. I also got a letter from one very well-known mathematician. Maybe I didn't make enough faculty contacts? Was I supposed to have a contact at each place I applied to? Maybe what I am doing is not trendy enough.
My question is: What do I have to do to get noticed by the hiring committees?
mathematics postdocs job-search
mathematics postdocs job-search
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
edited 29 mins ago
Grad student
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
asked 2 hours ago
Grad studentGrad student
24616
24616
2
Some apply for 5 or more, others 10 or more, even others 100 or more, so why expect to get an offer from the first one or two? Applying for jobs can mean many applications and rejections... Grit your teeth and persevere...
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
3
You can ask the PI to give you some feedback. They might not answer but it's worth trying, and it's very helpful when they do.
– Erwan
2 hours ago
@Erwan, I don't agree with that, it just decreases from your value! Just move on, it does not mean something wrong, in the end when there are two good candidates to the position, some personal preferences may play a role. In the end, I think it is normal, just keep trying in other projects and I am pretty sure you can find the right one that fits you.
– Monkia
1 hour ago
@Monkia in some countries you have the right to ask for feedback and if you wish to ask then they have to respond...
– Solar Mike
25 mins ago
1
@Monkia although it's human and sometimes hard to avoid, I think it's unhealthy to take negative feedback as a personal criticism. Ideally one should not feel bad about negative feedback, it's just an external evaluation of our actions; reflecting on it can can help us improve and do better next time.
– Erwan
24 mins ago
add a comment |
2
Some apply for 5 or more, others 10 or more, even others 100 or more, so why expect to get an offer from the first one or two? Applying for jobs can mean many applications and rejections... Grit your teeth and persevere...
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
3
You can ask the PI to give you some feedback. They might not answer but it's worth trying, and it's very helpful when they do.
– Erwan
2 hours ago
@Erwan, I don't agree with that, it just decreases from your value! Just move on, it does not mean something wrong, in the end when there are two good candidates to the position, some personal preferences may play a role. In the end, I think it is normal, just keep trying in other projects and I am pretty sure you can find the right one that fits you.
– Monkia
1 hour ago
@Monkia in some countries you have the right to ask for feedback and if you wish to ask then they have to respond...
– Solar Mike
25 mins ago
1
@Monkia although it's human and sometimes hard to avoid, I think it's unhealthy to take negative feedback as a personal criticism. Ideally one should not feel bad about negative feedback, it's just an external evaluation of our actions; reflecting on it can can help us improve and do better next time.
– Erwan
24 mins ago
2
2
Some apply for 5 or more, others 10 or more, even others 100 or more, so why expect to get an offer from the first one or two? Applying for jobs can mean many applications and rejections... Grit your teeth and persevere...
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
Some apply for 5 or more, others 10 or more, even others 100 or more, so why expect to get an offer from the first one or two? Applying for jobs can mean many applications and rejections... Grit your teeth and persevere...
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
3
3
You can ask the PI to give you some feedback. They might not answer but it's worth trying, and it's very helpful when they do.
– Erwan
2 hours ago
You can ask the PI to give you some feedback. They might not answer but it's worth trying, and it's very helpful when they do.
– Erwan
2 hours ago
@Erwan, I don't agree with that, it just decreases from your value! Just move on, it does not mean something wrong, in the end when there are two good candidates to the position, some personal preferences may play a role. In the end, I think it is normal, just keep trying in other projects and I am pretty sure you can find the right one that fits you.
– Monkia
1 hour ago
@Erwan, I don't agree with that, it just decreases from your value! Just move on, it does not mean something wrong, in the end when there are two good candidates to the position, some personal preferences may play a role. In the end, I think it is normal, just keep trying in other projects and I am pretty sure you can find the right one that fits you.
– Monkia
1 hour ago
@Monkia in some countries you have the right to ask for feedback and if you wish to ask then they have to respond...
– Solar Mike
25 mins ago
@Monkia in some countries you have the right to ask for feedback and if you wish to ask then they have to respond...
– Solar Mike
25 mins ago
1
1
@Monkia although it's human and sometimes hard to avoid, I think it's unhealthy to take negative feedback as a personal criticism. Ideally one should not feel bad about negative feedback, it's just an external evaluation of our actions; reflecting on it can can help us improve and do better next time.
– Erwan
24 mins ago
@Monkia although it's human and sometimes hard to avoid, I think it's unhealthy to take negative feedback as a personal criticism. Ideally one should not feel bad about negative feedback, it's just an external evaluation of our actions; reflecting on it can can help us improve and do better next time.
– Erwan
24 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
There are two big issues: competition and potentially poor fit. Either can knock you out. In some fields, at some times, the competition is fierce. Be happy (a bit) that you made the short list.
On the other side of the coin, it is possible that a candidate is seen as a poor fit for the position. This is more likely to happen early in the process unless it comes down to personal issues - arrogance, or indifference, or ...
Your materials can be fine and you can be fine, but someone else is just seen to be a better fit at the moment. Soldier on.
You may not need the rest of the advice, below, since you seem to be able to reach the shortlist, but for others, note that your written materials have to be positive/strong enough to move you from the "all applicants" pile into the "we should look at this person" pile. The second pile is very short and if you don't get into it at a quick reading, you are done. Once you are in the shortlist it becomes more of a personal and less of an institutional "game". If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances.
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
1
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
|
show 3 more comments
The job market for postdocs is such that most new PhDs will have to contact 50-odd people to get maybe 5 interviews and 2 offers. Unless you meet someone at a conference that you click with, job searches are the academic version of Tinder; it's just a numbers game. Your PhD advisor can set you up a bit, but unless they're some superstar it's mostly on you to keep swiping.
If you aren't even getting replies to emails, you should work on your approach - having your advisor email a rec letter at the same time as your initial email is something that I've seen work well. You should also not take being ignored personally - usually your email just falls off the first page of the inbox and is therefore gone forever. You can follow up after a couple days if you don't get a response.
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "415"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2facademia.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f123557%2fwhat-are-the-main-reasons-postdoc-applicants-get-rejected%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
There are two big issues: competition and potentially poor fit. Either can knock you out. In some fields, at some times, the competition is fierce. Be happy (a bit) that you made the short list.
On the other side of the coin, it is possible that a candidate is seen as a poor fit for the position. This is more likely to happen early in the process unless it comes down to personal issues - arrogance, or indifference, or ...
Your materials can be fine and you can be fine, but someone else is just seen to be a better fit at the moment. Soldier on.
You may not need the rest of the advice, below, since you seem to be able to reach the shortlist, but for others, note that your written materials have to be positive/strong enough to move you from the "all applicants" pile into the "we should look at this person" pile. The second pile is very short and if you don't get into it at a quick reading, you are done. Once you are in the shortlist it becomes more of a personal and less of an institutional "game". If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances.
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
1
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
|
show 3 more comments
There are two big issues: competition and potentially poor fit. Either can knock you out. In some fields, at some times, the competition is fierce. Be happy (a bit) that you made the short list.
On the other side of the coin, it is possible that a candidate is seen as a poor fit for the position. This is more likely to happen early in the process unless it comes down to personal issues - arrogance, or indifference, or ...
Your materials can be fine and you can be fine, but someone else is just seen to be a better fit at the moment. Soldier on.
You may not need the rest of the advice, below, since you seem to be able to reach the shortlist, but for others, note that your written materials have to be positive/strong enough to move you from the "all applicants" pile into the "we should look at this person" pile. The second pile is very short and if you don't get into it at a quick reading, you are done. Once you are in the shortlist it becomes more of a personal and less of an institutional "game". If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances.
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
1
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
|
show 3 more comments
There are two big issues: competition and potentially poor fit. Either can knock you out. In some fields, at some times, the competition is fierce. Be happy (a bit) that you made the short list.
On the other side of the coin, it is possible that a candidate is seen as a poor fit for the position. This is more likely to happen early in the process unless it comes down to personal issues - arrogance, or indifference, or ...
Your materials can be fine and you can be fine, but someone else is just seen to be a better fit at the moment. Soldier on.
You may not need the rest of the advice, below, since you seem to be able to reach the shortlist, but for others, note that your written materials have to be positive/strong enough to move you from the "all applicants" pile into the "we should look at this person" pile. The second pile is very short and if you don't get into it at a quick reading, you are done. Once you are in the shortlist it becomes more of a personal and less of an institutional "game". If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances.
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
There are two big issues: competition and potentially poor fit. Either can knock you out. In some fields, at some times, the competition is fierce. Be happy (a bit) that you made the short list.
On the other side of the coin, it is possible that a candidate is seen as a poor fit for the position. This is more likely to happen early in the process unless it comes down to personal issues - arrogance, or indifference, or ...
Your materials can be fine and you can be fine, but someone else is just seen to be a better fit at the moment. Soldier on.
You may not need the rest of the advice, below, since you seem to be able to reach the shortlist, but for others, note that your written materials have to be positive/strong enough to move you from the "all applicants" pile into the "we should look at this person" pile. The second pile is very short and if you don't get into it at a quick reading, you are done. Once you are in the shortlist it becomes more of a personal and less of an institutional "game". If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances.
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
answered 2 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
41.3k9133211
41.3k9133211
1
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
|
show 3 more comments
1
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
1
1
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
I only heard back from the one postdoc position in Europe where I had an interview. In that case the professor knew my recommendation letter writers well. I'm starting to suspect that's a necessary condition and that I'm not on other shortlists because the faculty on the other hiring committees might not know the letter writers that well. Also I'm thinking that my research so far by its nature doesn't fit well with other researchers' programs in that I'm using results from several different areas.
– Grad student
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
You might think about stressing your "flexibility". Especially if you have explored various areas.
– Buffy
2 hours ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
"If you know you are a marginal fit for a position, don't bother applying except in exceptional circumstances." - that's a bad advice. Usually it does not take much time and effort to apply for a postdoc position, so every position that looks good is worth it even if there are better candidates than yourself.
– Alexey B.
32 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@AlexeyB., exceptional circumstances include being especially needy or a lack of candidates generally. Others, I suppose. But it is better to tailor your application that to just broadcast a general appeal.
– Buffy
26 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
@Gradstudent It does help a lot if people on the hiring side personally know your advisor, co-authors, or references, but that's not 100% necessary to score an interview.
– Alexey B.
24 mins ago
|
show 3 more comments
The job market for postdocs is such that most new PhDs will have to contact 50-odd people to get maybe 5 interviews and 2 offers. Unless you meet someone at a conference that you click with, job searches are the academic version of Tinder; it's just a numbers game. Your PhD advisor can set you up a bit, but unless they're some superstar it's mostly on you to keep swiping.
If you aren't even getting replies to emails, you should work on your approach - having your advisor email a rec letter at the same time as your initial email is something that I've seen work well. You should also not take being ignored personally - usually your email just falls off the first page of the inbox and is therefore gone forever. You can follow up after a couple days if you don't get a response.
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
add a comment |
The job market for postdocs is such that most new PhDs will have to contact 50-odd people to get maybe 5 interviews and 2 offers. Unless you meet someone at a conference that you click with, job searches are the academic version of Tinder; it's just a numbers game. Your PhD advisor can set you up a bit, but unless they're some superstar it's mostly on you to keep swiping.
If you aren't even getting replies to emails, you should work on your approach - having your advisor email a rec letter at the same time as your initial email is something that I've seen work well. You should also not take being ignored personally - usually your email just falls off the first page of the inbox and is therefore gone forever. You can follow up after a couple days if you don't get a response.
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
add a comment |
The job market for postdocs is such that most new PhDs will have to contact 50-odd people to get maybe 5 interviews and 2 offers. Unless you meet someone at a conference that you click with, job searches are the academic version of Tinder; it's just a numbers game. Your PhD advisor can set you up a bit, but unless they're some superstar it's mostly on you to keep swiping.
If you aren't even getting replies to emails, you should work on your approach - having your advisor email a rec letter at the same time as your initial email is something that I've seen work well. You should also not take being ignored personally - usually your email just falls off the first page of the inbox and is therefore gone forever. You can follow up after a couple days if you don't get a response.
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
The job market for postdocs is such that most new PhDs will have to contact 50-odd people to get maybe 5 interviews and 2 offers. Unless you meet someone at a conference that you click with, job searches are the academic version of Tinder; it's just a numbers game. Your PhD advisor can set you up a bit, but unless they're some superstar it's mostly on you to keep swiping.
If you aren't even getting replies to emails, you should work on your approach - having your advisor email a rec letter at the same time as your initial email is something that I've seen work well. You should also not take being ignored personally - usually your email just falls off the first page of the inbox and is therefore gone forever. You can follow up after a couple days if you don't get a response.
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
answered 1 hour ago
CJ59CJ59
2407
2407
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
add a comment |
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
Thinking of it as Tinder does help. I have the impression that most postdoc applicants work on something very similar to what a faculty member works on. In my thesis I am extending the work of some mathematicians, who wrote my letters. I thought my thesis topic has lots of intersection with different areas of math, and would thus appeal to many people.
– Grad student
37 mins ago
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Academia Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2facademia.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f123557%2fwhat-are-the-main-reasons-postdoc-applicants-get-rejected%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
2
Some apply for 5 or more, others 10 or more, even others 100 or more, so why expect to get an offer from the first one or two? Applying for jobs can mean many applications and rejections... Grit your teeth and persevere...
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
3
You can ask the PI to give you some feedback. They might not answer but it's worth trying, and it's very helpful when they do.
– Erwan
2 hours ago
@Erwan, I don't agree with that, it just decreases from your value! Just move on, it does not mean something wrong, in the end when there are two good candidates to the position, some personal preferences may play a role. In the end, I think it is normal, just keep trying in other projects and I am pretty sure you can find the right one that fits you.
– Monkia
1 hour ago
@Monkia in some countries you have the right to ask for feedback and if you wish to ask then they have to respond...
– Solar Mike
25 mins ago
1
@Monkia although it's human and sometimes hard to avoid, I think it's unhealthy to take negative feedback as a personal criticism. Ideally one should not feel bad about negative feedback, it's just an external evaluation of our actions; reflecting on it can can help us improve and do better next time.
– Erwan
24 mins ago