An academic cover letter is typically a one- to two-page synopsis of your research, teaching, and service accomplishments, but check with your adviser about length, as it may vary by discipline. How you frame your letter will depend on the wording of the job description and the type of institution you're applying to -- you should highlight
specific experiences that correspond to the qualifications listed in the job ad and tailor your letter to the institution. Thus, a letter to a research-intensive university should put your scholarship first, a letter to a liberal-arts college should highlight your commitment to teaching first, and a letter to a community college should play up your teaching experience and community involvement. Above all else, your letter should emphasize how you'd be an asset to the department and the institution and why you want to work there.
Links to previous discussions:R1 cover letters (11/19/2006)
Strategies for comprehensive U's (10/24/2006)
How much does a cover letter matter? (10/22/2006)
Form letters (10/14/2006)
Only one-page cover letters? (10/12/2006)
To tailor or not to tailor? (10/8/2006)
Help! (Cover letters, CV, etc.) (7/6/2006)
Cover letter at mid-career (10/23/2005)
More thoughts for job seekers (12/10/2005)
Three-page cover letters (10/20/2004)
Cover letters (7/2/2004)
Cover letters (9/19/2003)
Links to related columns:"Writing a Good Letter" (7/12/2006)
"Dear Would-Be Dean" (4/27/2004)
"What You Don't Know About Cover Letters" (6/11/2002)
"The Important of Cover Letters in a Community-College Job Search" (5/16/2002)
"To Whom It May Concern: Reading Job Applications" (12/21/2001)
"Cover Letters for Administrative Jobs" (5/5/2000)
"The Basics of Cover Letter Writing" (3/3/2000)
"How to Write Appealing Cover Letters" (4/21/2000)
"How to Present Yourself on Paper" (10/30/1998)
