TITLE: Switching tenure-track position
QUESTION [9 upvotes]: I have a tenure-track position at a research university (among top 20 in USA) in a decent city. This has been my fourth year as a tenure-track. I still have not heard from my department regarding the promotion. I do have very good publication record (over 20 published papers in top journals, including Annals and Inven. Math papers), and a decent teaching record. Is it advisable for me to apply for other jobs? I am happy with my current university, but I am very worried about the prospect of getting tenure. I would be very grateful for any comments and suggestions.

REPLY [6 votes]: I have my doubts about adding the third answer to this question, but here goes:
You should be in touch with your chair about whether you will get tenure.  If the chair and various bigwigs in your department are remotely competent and there is even the slightest danger of you not getting tenure, they should be on your case about it; departments really do not want to have people go up for tenure and fail.  It makes them look bad to both the administration and to job candidates.  
So what you should do is talk to your chair and say "Hey, we haven't really talked about me going up for tenure.  Do you have any concerns about my case?  Is there anything I should be doing to prepare?"  In all likelihood, your mind will be set at ease, and if not, well, then that's information you're in a better position for having.