The Two-Body Problem - part 5 - seeking a solution

So, once we decided to look for a new situation, we did just that. Scoped the job boards, watched the mailing lists, etc. We figured that since we were waiting for the "right" position in a down economy it would be awhile. Rather than the broad net we had cast in the first go around we set a few parameters on what we would look for, and more specifically where we would look. The reasons for this were both personal and professional. The two major factors were:

1. Geographical location: We would only move north and/or east from where we are now. This was to be closer to family, etc. Hub also wanted to limit how north since we have decided that winter sucks. I was more flexible on that option.
2. Only universities with dual career offices/policies would be considered. Reason pretty self-explanatory.

If a posting met those criteria off the bat, we would then consider further. This level included things like the program the posting was for, it's fit for our academic interests, teaching loads, course offerings, career distribution of faculty (nice mix of full, associate and assistant profs), size of faculty, program/university ranking, etc.

Basically the plan was to do a lot more background research before sending out application.

About three days later I opened my email to a job posting that met all of these criteria. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Hmmm. This one looks interesting. Listen to this "TT position, niche sciency stuff that I do, courses that I really want to teach, etc."

Hub: I don't know much, but those are science words you use alot, sounds like a possibility.

Me: I suppose, but we'd have to pack up all my yarn.

Joking aside, it was like the posting was written for me, about me, even. It was almost surreal. That doesn't happen to often. I was a little excited and a lot scared. While we had decided that this is what we were going to do, I wasn't expecting something so perfect to pop up so soon. The thought of putting myself out there again was, well, just heavy.

I put the posting aside, there was a month before they would review applications anyways, and we were just starting a new semester and I wanted to see how it went. But...I found myself re-reading that posting every couple of days. Every time I did it sounded better and better, and I would do a little more web research about the program and the university. Slowly everything was ticked off the list, and there wasn't a single reason not to go for it. Well, except that fear. I called some trusted friend-lleagues, who were very encouraging, but it was still hard to make up my mind.

Finally, the deadline was here and our "faculty retreat" made it even clearer that staying wasn't going to be a long-term sustainable option. So I fired off a cover letter and CV. I put very little time into the prep work (This isn't something I would recommend). In retrospect, I'm not sure my heart was 100% in it; seeking change is scary. In any case, it was just something I did, along with the dozens of other emails I send in a day, and then I went back to my business. I was willing to look, but in no way was this going to consume my life.