Unsuccessful in job application at uni I already teach at

[lurkingnonparent]

Least year I taught a semester at a particular uni. 1 module, 80 students. It went well and I got excellent student feedback. This year they've asked me to teach the same module and I'm 3 weeks in.

They have jobs going this term so asked me to apply. So I did an interview, mock teaching session and later that day taught 2 lectures in my module.

Today I'm told I don't have the job because my mock teaching session didn't go so well. A great interview, but i didn't do so well in the session.

I know the session wasn't the best I've ever done - I was knackered- but I can't get my head around the fact that I'm teaching there but my teaching isn't good enough? Wtaf? If they think I can't teach why on earth am I there? I'm still due to teach a day a week for the rest of the term.

Is this normal? Doesn't feel very fair on students if they think I can't teach (which I can).

[Closetlibrarian]

It may just be that the other candidate did a better teaching session than you. How did they actually phrase their feedback to you? Did they actually say that they think you can't teach?

[OneFootinFront]

There's a difference between teaching as an hourly-paid/bought-in temporary lecturer, and being offered a more permanent and/or full-time post. It could be that there were better candidates for a more permanent job. Universities are duty bound to employ the best person for the job.

[lurkingnonparent]

Have just found out no one was appointed - but they want me to keep lecturing 6 hours a week. And my student feedback for the work I've done so far is excellent, apparently.

Ho hum! Just feel very sore and that it's going to be very odd going in on Friday.

[superdocious]

Were you going for a teaching only post, or research and teaching?

It does sound a bit dubious to me, I would imagine there must be something else going on. If teaching only, do you have the breadth of knowledge to cover a wide(r) range of courses? Can you ask for more feedback on what went wrong and what they are looking for? In my institution/school, they sometimes seem prepared to tolerate lower standards in sessional teachers, but partly because they tend to use them when they are a bit desperate, for whatever reason! But having said that, it sounds like your teaching is of a good standard. We also have very poor teachers in permanent roles, who get to stay because of other political issues.

Anyway, what I am really trying to say is try not to feel too demoralised, in my experience, these decisions are often somewhat political, rather than personal. But perhaps try to get more information, on precisely why they made that decision and what, if anything, you can do to develop in order to have a chance in future?

[lurkingnonparent]

Thanks all and esp super.

In brief, yes, I do offer lots across their courses and we discussed this in the interview. I already deliver 3 modules elsewhere and one for them.

We discussed research in the interview and my feedback from the interview was that it was excellent.

In order to develop they say to continue with the PGCHE I'm already doing.

Basically it comes down to a less than great micro teaching session in front of done students plus / lecturers - one of whom I'm currently covering for and who invited me to do a panel session for recently who again said that was excellent. My student feedback from the course I'm currently delivering has also been, they tell me, very good.

So it's all very odd.

Just feel sorry for the students because if they think my teaching is sub par then why on earth am I being asked to keep lecturing there into the new year?

Anyhow, rant over!!!!

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I don't think that is odd.

I interviewed last year for a permanent post, at the university where I'm currently cover-teaching for the same post. I've had really positive feedback for teaching and I'm fairly sure I've done a good job, but the people appointed were much more senior in their careers - one of them taught me when I was an undergraduate and has multiple books out!

If they've not appointed anyone, it could be that when they re-advertise, they would reconsider you, and they're hoping you'd do better on another day?

I'd ask for detailed feedback on what didn't go so well, just in case it's something you weren't aware of.

[Bountybarsyuk]

I think this is very odd, if it's for a lectureship. Usually we are pretty much interested in research quality and REFability (although perhaps not for a short-term post) and wouldn't worry about teaching quality unless the person was quite dire in the sample session. If they were already teaching with us, we would look at their feedback. I think there's something else going on or someone else they want to appoint in a second round and there's little you can do...