You are on a screening committee at a college that has one opening for an English instructor on a tenure track. The initial paper screen has narrowed the field to five candidates (from more than 90 original applicants). Three of these candidates interview rather poorly, and the committee is now looking very closely and carefully at the two remaining individuals.

Both are of the same race and gender. But one has only recently completed a Ph.D. (two years ago) and has been teaching as adjunct faculty at a community college in another state. Essentially, the candidate is looking for her first full-time position. The other candidate, also a Ph.D., has been teaching for the past 15 years at a little known community college in another state. Essentially, she is looking for a bit of a career change, a bit of an advancement in her career. Perhaps because of her broader experience (and perhaps also because she already has ajob-has nothing to lose), she interviews appreciably more professionally than the younger, less experienced applicant, although you do recognize that either would fit in very well with the current faculty.

Questions:

Whom should you recommend for the position?

Why?