Random Thoughts

One thing I like about the internet is that it allows me to waste countless hours in the mindless pursuit of absolutely nothing! And I’m getting pretty good at it. Whenever I decide to retire, I know that I will never get bored as long as I have a computer!

One of my favorite websites to visit has job openings for those who seek employment in higher education. Since I have such employment already, I am not looking for work but, rather, I am just keeping myself knowledgeable about trends that may be developing in that field.

Of course, if I were to see an ad for a job that I would “die for,” I might be tempted to send in my resume along with a letter indicating my interest in the position. That is how I got my current job at Northwestern Oklahoma State University back in 1990.

The job ad to which I responded was not on the internet, however, for the simple reason that the internet did not exist back then. At least, it did not exist as we now know it.

Anyway, potential employers will typically ask applicants for a list of references. This is, I am sure, not only the case with higher education but in many other fields of endeavor as well.

Sometimes employers will want applicants to submit letters of recommendation up front. I never apply for those positions. I hate to impose on my colleagues by having them spend valuable time writing letters for jobs I probably would not want even if offered to me.

Thankfully, most employers do not ask for letters initially. Later, as the search progresses, an employer who is interested in an applicant can ask for recommendation letters or the employer might prefer to call the references and talk to them about the applicant’s qualifications.

If I were to become an employer I would not want letters of recommendation at any point in the hiring process. Next week I will tell you why I feel that way.