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[eulerian]

I am applying to about 50 schools. I just finished writing customized cover letters for about 15-20 schools, which are the ones on the top of my "list".

The deadlines are fast approaching and I don't have time to do the same things for the rest 30-35 schools. I am thinking to use "form letters" for them.

I think that I would be a good~very good fit for the top 15-20 schools in my list, and I tried my best to show it in my letters. But, for the rest schools, either I wouldn't really like the job very much or I don't know if I would be a good fit there (or, maybe both). However, they are in the list because these jobs would be much better than nothing...

What should I do?

(1) Write semi-customized form letters to those schools, that is, almost form letters which have one or two sentences specific to the job.
(2) Keep writing as many customized letters as possible until the deadline comes up, and then forget the schools I can't get done on time.
(3) Don't bother to apply to those 30-35 schools if you don't think they are good fits for you.

FYI, in my field, the job market is not very good for applicants, but, maybe not so bad as history, etc,. Thanks.

[helpful]

#2.

[adhoc]

I think an approach closer to #1 is better.  In fact, that is how I approach cover letter writing, period.  But, since we may have different ideas about what a "semi-customized form letter is," I will describe what I mean.

I write basic paragraphs discussing teaching, research, and so on.  I include an introductory paragraph in which I identify the position for which I am applying and where I heard about it. I may say a few words about specific things mentioned in the ad if the ad itself was specific; more about this in a moment.

Obviously, the introduction and any ad-specific comments need to be tailored to the school/department/whatever to which you are applying.  On the other hand, my teaching experience and research interests are what they are, regardless of what the ad says.  I am applying both to both research focused schools and to more teaching oriented schools so I have two basic versions of the letter emphasizing different experiences.

The result is that I can crank out a letter in 5 or 10 minutes.

Now, as for the ad being specific, search committee members posting here seem to be saying that one should only apply if one meets the specific criteria stated in the ad.  In some cases that is easily determined; the ad clearly says, must have expertise in subfields X, Y, or Z.  Others say they will consider all subfields but are especially looking for X, Y, or Z.  Or they say that they are looking for X, Y, or Z but will consider appllications from highly qualified candidates in other subfields.  Well, what do these last two mean, exactly?  How can that be addressed reasonably in a cover letter if one's area is W?

[larryc]

#1.  A customized letter does not have to be completely different from your others.  Just one paragraph about how you fit the institution is way more than most people do.  I am amazed at how many completely generic cover letters we get, or worse, cover letters obviously crafted for a completely different kind of institution.

[oldfullprof]

I did a rather generic search last time, where I used a portfolio mailing service (in Maryland, I think) for about half of my entire packet mailings, and for portions of the rest.  I did have a generic cover letter for criminology oriented jobs there, addressed to "Dear Search Committee:".  Crim is one of the areas I can teach.,and is the most in demand.

These services can upload your vita, writing samples, philosophies, and certified copies of your letters of recommendation, as well as other items.  For a membership fee and so much per mailing, depending on what's specified to be sent (and how fast you need it there), they mail all of or portions of your packet.  You give them instructions right over the web.

I liked the service.  For non-crim jobs, I'd mail the cover letter from here, and let the service mail everything else needed.

I did get a job where everything had been mailed by the service, so the cover letter was generic.

[eulerian]

Maybe, I should have said what my field is. I'm in mathematics. Many of the ads I collected do not mention specific subfields. If they clearly say "we want X, Y, Z" which are not my fields, I don't apply there. When I said "semi-customized form letters" I will make sure that the letters will sound to be, at least, for a similar kind of institutions. The problem I'm having is that, based on the (vague) ads and their department websites, many positions look to me like "so-so" fits for me, and I don't know how to customize my letter for those positions. Is one-or-two sentenses or one-paragraph enough customization for these cases?

[adhoc]

Is one-or-two sentenses or one-paragraph enough customization for these cases?

I think so. At least that's what I do; but, then, I'm still looking for a tt job, too.

Regarding your field, I guessed that you were a mathematician based on your name.  I'm glad to hear that I was right.

[brunhilde]

I am using a semi-customized form letter for all my applications. I started by writing one general cover letter that is about 10 paragraphs long. I have 3 different paragraphs that describe my dissertation work in different ways, drawing out different themes from it. Then I have a number of other paragraphs that describe other experiences that I have had. Plus opening and closing paragraphs.

For each ad that I apply to, I pick the appropriate paragraphs from my general letter. As adhoc says, my research and teaching experience is what it is, but I make decisions about what to highlight based upon what they want from the ad. So, while my general cover letter has 10 paragraphs, a specific cover letter that I send out might use paragraphs 2, 4, 7, and 8 because those are the experiences that I think the job ad would care most about.

And then I change the first and last sentences of paragraphs to make connections to the job ad and to make sure it flows nicely. I also alter the opening and closing paragraphs, where I name the position and say something like, "my experience in X and Y demonstrate my ability to (take some wording from job ad).

All this takes me about 15-20 minutes per job.

[science_expat]

Go for 1 but choose the base according to the type of institution. Hence if you've written custom letters for an R1, SLAC, etc... make sure you slightly modifiy from the one most relevant to each of the other institutions.