Applying for jobs, illustrated with FRIENDS gifs. A thread. #AcademicTwitter

You see an interesting job opening.

You put together an application and beef up your CV. Hey look at me, I'm an applicant! Could I BE any more qualified?

You make sure to list all of your peer-reviewed articles.

You send in the application. You're feeling confident.

This whole process is quite tiresome, so it's ok to treat yourself.

In the meantime, someone in a far far away university is looking at your application. They are not so impressed.

"We regret to inform you..."

You ask for an explanation, and this is all you get:

At this point, your reaction may vary. You could think "fine, your loss!"

Or maybe you're mad.

Or you just need a drink.

Your friends ask how you're coping with yet another rejection.

But there's no time to be disappointed. You've found another opening, and you are again full of hopes.

You change your approach a bit, but the gist remains the same: I'm awesome! Hire me!

Of course another rejection is around the corner. But you've gotten used to that.

In the meantime, people you know are getting jobs.

Eventually, you'll get an interview.

And maybe at some point you'll be offered a job.