From David Haines
So the disease of spin-doctoring has infected the job market
(Letters, 22 August, p 51).
Paul Garcia writes: “In a previous post I was responsible for
short-listing candidates for mathematics jobs, and the crucial factor was the
quality of the application—not the qualifications or experience. I have
seen many apparently well-qualified people who simply cannot put together a
decent application.”
It may just be sour grapes, but as a composer I have often suspected that
those expert in the skills of self-puffery and hype tend to do better in the
arts regardless of talent. I am shocked to find that meretriciousness can gain
you a job in mathematics.
Garcia is actually stating that his prime criterion for selection for
interview was the ability to put together a good application. How this relates
to the ability to do mathematics I fail to comprehend.
Teignmouth, Devon
