EQUALITY GUIdE - KU Leuven

Chapter 4 ! Scientific communication 207
4.1.2.1.2. How are people appointed?
You become an assistant because of your results and because you are noticed by one
of the professors. You become a lecturer by applying. When a position becomes available,
it is published, both nationally and internationally, in order to attract the best
candidates. However, during this procedure, many other things may happen ...
At the university, people are appointed by a selection commission, which works formally
as well as informally. The formal part consists of a jury, a test procedure, etc. It
all seems transparent and objective but this is just the visible tip of the iceberg. What
happens behind the scenes is even more important. How did the profile come about?
Who positioned himself/herself and how? Who is part of the commission and who is
not?
A second selection process is far less transparent but at least as important for selecting
the candidate. If the members of the jury know the applicant and have a positive
image of that person, it raises his or her chances of getting the position. The decision is
then often justified by adapting it to the criteria.
It is therefore important not to spend all your time on the preparation of your application.
Go out, do some research, try to find out in advance how the commission is composed,
how the members of the jury will proceed, how you perceive the jury, etc. Their
perception can be coloured by the quality of your work, your character, your reputation
and your motivation.
Tip
If eventually you are not selected, try to find out why. If you have this information, you can use
it for the future. However, retrieving this information should be done in a positive manner.
Example: ‘I am not after your personal opinion but can you tell me something about the tenor
of the evaluation? What can I learn from this application round? Can you give me any tips?’
Do not ask these questions if you are still emotional or angry. If you cannot find the reasons,
try involving someone who can figure it out for you.
4.1.2.1.3. How to work pro-actively?
Women often think they will climb the ladder on the basis of their merits. To achieve
something however, you need to have the support of others as a lever. For this reason,
you have to persuade the commission members of your value for a group. Being selected
is often a matter of how well a person ‘fits’ in the group. Can he/she function in
the whole group and what is his/her added value?
Women frequently think they give clear hints to their superiors but you cannot be clear
enough about your career. Your interest for your work and your profession has to be
dominant. Determine your added value. You can list the steps that you can take in
your career plan. You have to know what the different scenarios are. As a negotiator,
you are strong if you are not in a dependent position. If you can draw several scenarios,
you must dare to convert them to practice as well.