[BkyMonster]

I recently applied for a job at a local university. A technical position (fairly relevant to past experience), which don't seem to come up often around here. It's been about 2 weeks since the position closing date and I'm wondering what the general time line for hearing back is for anyone who works in academia in NZ. I worked at universities in the US and the hiring process generally took about 3 months--from the hiring perspective. A large portion of that was the legally required advertising period and then some contract back and forth and the approval of the applicant etc. I'm not sure what it was from the applicant perspective, and I'm sure it varies depending on if the interviewers have a heavy work or class load etc.

I applied for a position at another local university a month or two ago and heard back from them (declined) within a week. Then 2 weeks later they called me and asked if I was still interested. It was a bit of a commute in a specialization I don't really care for and I had kind of regretted wasting their time after I applied so I told them no. It would have been a job but since I don't desperately NEED a job I'd rather find something I like if I can. Still I was surprised to be initially declined so fast if that makes any sense. My qualifications and experience were well in line with the position. I just figured they had someone in mind and were only advertising for legal reasons.

Short question, should I follow up before or after 3 weeks have gone by or just let the process do its thing? I'd rather not be annoying and generally universities have well meaning hiring rules they try to follow. I'm really hoping for at least an interview for this job. I'm kind of hoping that not hearing for 2 weeks means I may have made a short list, but any insight into NZ university process would be helpful.
Thanks.

[TonnyTessa]

It took quite a while for me. In my experience most universities are slow and the NZ ones are no different. I applied for my job beginning of April and heard back from them beginning of May, when they asked if it was okay to approach my references. Then I had a phone interview at the end of May and flew out for the face to face interview at the end of June. As there were some changes which needed approving (I was offered a job I didn't apply for, but it was better than the one I did apply for), I didn't get the contract until end of August. Quite lengthy in the end (although not half as lengthy as a friend of mine who didn't hear until well over a year later that she didn't get a certain job.......!).

So for the moment I wouldn't be too worried about it if I were you.