In our newest “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

I wanted to bump something to here that ‘visiting treadmill’ posted in the job market discussion thread, as I think it would be good to hear from folks on what they were saying, but no one responded there. I hope they don’t mind!

visiting treadmill: Unsurprisingly, I feel a bit perplexed by the market. This is my fifth year on the market but I’ve held a visiting position every year. On the VAP market last year I had four interviews and two offers. I thought that maybe the VAP market buzz I experienced might be some evidence that I would have better luck on the TT market this year. But so far on the permanent market this year I’ve only had one first round zoom interview, which did not advance. It looks like that’s all I’m going to get, which needless to say is really disappointing. Anyone else have a similar experience? Is there such a thing as a VAP treadmill? Why would multiple departments (and I’m not talking R1 here) see a candidate as good enough for a visiting position but not a permanent position? Also, what’s the number to that truck-driving school again?

Good questions–it would be great to hear from other job candidates, as well as from search committee members. Do job candidates in visiting positions get pigeon-holed as good enough for visiting positions but not for permanent ones?

Originally appeared on The Philosophers’ Cocoon Read More