RA position: Contact PI after a phone interview with lab coordinator?

[daydreaming]

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After a phone interview with a lab coordinator do you think it is a good idea to send your CV and cover letter to the PI aka lab director aka professor as a way of getting their attention and showing your interest for the job? Or do you think this comes off as going behind the lab coordinator's back, being pushy, or pointless?

I keep going back and forth, seeing both pros and cons. I am curious what people more experienced than me think and would very much appreciate some feedback. Has anyone done this? Do you think it helped you land the position?

Keep in mind: I do not know who will make the final decision, the lab coordinator or the PI.

Thank you for any answers, this board has been more helpful than I can say over my time here.

 

[krisrox]

After a phone interview with a lab coordinator do you think it is a good idea to send your CV and cover letter to the PI aka lab director aka professor as a way of getting their attention and showing your interest for the job? Or do you think this comes off as going behind the lab coordinator's back, being pushy, or pointless?

I keep going back and forth, seeing both pros and cons. I am curious what people more experienced than me think and would very much appreciate some feedback. Has anyone done this? Do you think it helped you land the position?

Keep in mind: I do not know who will make the final decision, the lab coordinator or the PI.

Thank you for any answers, this board has been more helpful than I can say over my time here.

I say don't bother. If you weren't asked to send anything to the PI, assume that the lab coordinator already shared that info. The task of hiring was probably delegated because the PI doesn't have enough time to interview, so sending your CV etc. would be pointless. You might seem pushy or untrustworthy of the lab coordinator if you sent it to the PI.

 

[buzzworm]

I say don't bother. If you weren't asked to send anything to the PI, assume that the lab coordinator already shared that info. The task of hiring was probably delegated because the PI doesn't have enough time to interview, so sending your CV etc. would be pointless. You might seem pushy or untrustworthy of the lab coordinator if you sent it to the PI.

Agreed. I used to be a research coordinator involved in hiring new RAs, and I think I would have thought it was weird if someone I had already interviewed sent their CV to my boss. Like Krisrox said, the interview was probably delegated for a reason; and most likely if you get past that step, you'll end up being invited to talk with the researcher anyway.

If you want to keep yourself fresh in their minds, you definitely can send a follow-up email to the person who interviewed you in a week or two, reiterating your interest in the position.