Leave terms like "caring" and "supportive colleague" the hell OUT of your resume

[eridani]

http://www.awis.org/associations/9417/files/Hebl%202009-LOR.pdf

Recommendation letters that describe you to as being 'caring', 'sensitive' or a 'supportive colleague' are more often than not going to hurt your academic job prospects. New research has revealed that the use of such adjectives, which many associate with more feminine characteristics, can often be detrimental to the candidate. Analysis of 624 letters of recommendation submitted by 194 applicants for junior faculty positions has led to this finding. When applications were viewed without knowledge of gender and compared with those from similarly qualified candidates, committees tended to rank lower those candidates with referrals using 'feminine associated' adjectives. The research is supported by the National Science Foundation and has been published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. It implies that people writing letters of recommendation ought to think carefully about their use of wording.

[stevedeshazer]

1. First, they went after my pee.

Now, they're after my thoughts.

on edit: Not that I missed the point after having read the first two paragraphs of the document. Wow.

[Skittles]

2. misogyny at its finest

[The Doctor.]

7. Not 'mysogyny', 'psychology'.

It's not whether or not someone is a woman that matters in this case, it's that one possesses traits that are often associated with weakness, or 'lack of professional detachment' by the typical employer.

To be 'caring' means one can be taken advantage of. To be 'supportive of colleagues' means one can be treated like a doormat.

This is of course not always the case. I've seen many assertive men and women with these traits turn them very much to their advantage. Sadly, I have also seen many kind men and women treated badly and taken advantage of by selfish employees and managers.

Sadly, both men and women find themselves victims of this particular attitude.

[Skittles]

8. er

New research has revealed that the use of such adjectives, which many associate with more feminine characteristics, can often be detrimental to the candidate.

did you miss that part? I'm not saying it in reference to the gender of the people who can be affected, but the association of traits with genders, those considered "feminine" automatically assumed to be DETRIMENTAL

[The Doctor.]

9. That is correct.

We have a problem with the workplace attitudes.

The problem is that the 'sharp, cold, calculating, go-getter' image is preferred by most employers. Most employers view 'thoughtful, considerate, kind' people as ineffective. I disagree, but don't expect me to change their minds very easily.

That those latter traits tend to be viewed as 'feminine' is a flaw in perspective, but not an insult. It is not that those traits are considered 'feminine' that make them detrimental, and it is not at all, at least in my opinion, insulting to be considered 'caring'. Rather it is the traits themselves that employers often see as signs of ineffectiveness... gender having nothing to do with it.

[Hardrada]

3. The use of words and phrases such as "fearless," "loyal,"

"racial purity," and "comrades-in-arms" will evidently be a lot more helpful.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

13. 'racial purity'? what the fuck?

i guess some people have to make EVERY SINGLE FUCKING THING about race.

sP

[aikoaiko]

4. This isn't as bad as it seems, I think.

I just skimmed the article, though. I should read it more carefully, but my initial impression was that agency is a very desirable quality in new faculty.

Examples of communal adjectives: affectionate, helpful, kind, sympathetic, sensitive, nurturing, agreeable, tactful, interpersonal, warm, caring, and tactful.

Examples of agentic adjectives: assertive, confident, aggressive, ambitious, dominant, forceful, independent, daring, outspoken, and intellectual.


I've been on a quite a few searches for junior faculty and we're looking for people with a fire in the belly, so to speak, to do a lot of difficult work. Sure, we need them to get along with the rest of the department too, but being "communal" won't get you tenure. Being "agentic" will definitely help.

[drmeow]

5. No - ask your letter writers

to leave caring and supportive colleague out of your letter of recommendation for a faculty position. Very limited and not generalizable findings. Important in the academic world, not relevant outside it.

Anyone who thinks academia is not gender biased has never worked in academia.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. "He is a heartless bastard who will trample over anyone in his quest to increase profits.

At the same time, he is unfailingly obsequious to top company management."

I wonder if that would be helpful?

[sendero]

10. Gee..

.... I would never use those words, even if they applied, anyway. It's a resume not a love letter.

[Anakin Skywalker]

11. The USA Loves Its Macho, Alpha Males!

You would think that in 2010, people would have stepped out of their cavepeople instincts.

[NoPasaran]

12. Apparently you slept through the election season