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[notranslation]

In my cover letter, I have a diss. paragraph, a "future research" paragraph and a teaching paragraph. I'm working on getting my final "personal touch" (tailored) paragraph together for a prominent R1 institution (one of the best programs for my field, in fact), and I'm unsure of how to - dare I say? - "sell myself," especially because the faculty pubs. in this department are really intimidating (lots of them)! Should I just address one of the ad's "preferences" (interdisciplinarity, for one) and how I can contribute to that? Should I say something about how my research would fit in w/ the department? I've mostly applied to SLACs and I'm unsure how to approach these Tier 1 institutions (even though I study at one). Any ideas?

Thanks!
BL

[untenured]

When I served on a search committee, we advertised a position with applicants having desired characteristics X,Y, and Z.  When I reviewed the applications, I made a checklist to see which applicants actually had X, Y, and Z, exactly as the application stated.  Those that had these characteristics and most robustly got interviewed.

I had to dig for this information in each application, and it was annoying.  Why?  Only *one* applicant out of the entire bunch actually responded to the job ad characteristics in their cover letter.  That cover letter was so easy to read it was a pleasure.

This is just one data point, but I'd say respond to each preference in your cover letter.  Briefly and efficiently, address each one.  It almost goes without saying that your research interests will be the main focus.  Also, the more specific you tailor the letter to the needs of the department (as far as you can perceive them anyway) the better.

Just one person's opinion.

Good luck,

Untenured

P.S. Did the good cover letter writer get the job or even an interview?  No.  At the end of the proverbial day, substance matters over form.  If your CV is not up to snuff, no primping or fiddling with your cover letter will get you an interview.

[seniorscholar]

Echoing "untenured," respond to all the "required" and as many as possible of the "preferred" qualifications in the FIRST PARAGRAPH of the cover letter. Develop each of the required and one or two of the preferred, if you want -- but in actuality, all letters that have all of the required and some of the preferred qualities clearly visible in the first paragraph will be put aside to be considered with more care, and letters where one has to go on to the c.v. to figure these things out may or may not have enough oomph to get some of us even to read the c.v.