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[noncountablenoun]

I'm a PhD/ABD. After much soul-searching, I've decided not to look for TT jobs.

I think I'm well-suited for admissions work in Higher Ed.

I'm crafting my cover letter for an admissions position, and I wanted to know if 2 pages would be acceptable. I know letters of this length are the norm for teaching/research jobs in HE, but I'm not sure about administrative positions.

I *have* looked for this answer before posting but couldn't find any specific information on cover letter length.

Thanks.

[madhatter]

If it's two pages of meaningful content that is relevant to the job, yes.

Two pages of flowery language and fluff ... not so much.

[michigander]

If it's an entry level job and you don't have extensive directly applicable work/volunteer/internship/practicum experience, limit yourself to one page.  If it's a higher level job and you have extensive experience, it's probably OK to have a second page if there's no fluff.  Make sure you run your resume past trusted people who already work in admissions or a similar staff type position.  Resumes for staff positions are a completely different animal from CVs for TT positions.

[simplesimon]

If your letter consists of substance (as opposed to fluff) then the length does not matter; 1-3 pages are fine.  But your post above suggests you have concluded that you are “well-suited for admissions work in Higher Ed” all by yourself and without any real evidence. 

As you set about writing this letter think about skeptical readers: why are you well suited for admissions work as opposed to financial aid, facilities, legal affairs, development, food services, or technology administration?  Even if you believe that you are why should *I* believe that you are?  Why should I want to interview you if you have no experience as an admissions officer?  Are you proficient with Banner, Peoplesoft, FileMaker, or other systems?  Are you familiar with the professional organizations for admissions folks?  Why is a person who is apparently poised to get on the tenure track trying to come over to admissions?  Exactly what level position do you think you are suited for?  Not many admissions people have a doctorate so where do you fit into the matrix?  By the way, no one is a PhD/ABD, you are either a PhD or you are ABD.  Assuming you are the latter, will you complete the doctorate before moving into admissions?  If so, why should I hire a PhD who is unlikely to stick around?  If not, why should I hire someone who cannot follow through to completion on something so consequential?

Admission offices are looking for experienced, committed professionals with a skill set—not lost or wandering academics trying to find a career path outside the classroom.  Remember, your letter should unfold a narrative that makes it appear as if your application to the position is a natural progression in your career path.  Tell us what you have accomplished in your past positions that suggests you are the right person for this position.

I throw out the questions above not to dissuade you, but merely to demonstrate that your letter may have to win over a skeptical audience and you should not assume that one or more readers will make favorable assumptions about your candidacy.

Good luck.

[untenured]

Reasonable people can differ, but I'd limit to one page.  People are busy and usually skim cover letters.  Don't give the reader an invitation to skip yours.  Retain only the most relevant experiences you have and limit it to that one page.  I haven't read a two-pager cover letter yet that couldn't have benefited from editing.

One page.

[noncountablenoun]

Thanks to all who answered my question about cover letter length.  I appreciate it.

I find it odd, though, that a simple, targeted question can elicit so much additional, unsolicited advice.  Some of this advice came across as quite patronizing and assumptive. Here, I'm thinking of simplesimon's post...

No, simplesimon, my post does not suggest any of the things you've assumed about me: I have no idea how to write a cover letter (i.e., frame myself as suitable for a position in an admissions); I don't have experiences as a PhD (ABD) and/or instructor of record that a college admissions office might find valuable; I have no follow-through; I am looking for a temporary job vs. a fulfilling career where I can interact with students desiring a college degree; I do not understand how to use the basic nomenclature of the degree I'm pursuing; etc. and etc.

I'm surprised you could read that much into a simple question about cover letter LENGTH (NOTE: NOT CONTENT).

So, for the record, you can take my brief, focused post as an indication of the following: I'm a busy person who currently is completing a dissertation and also writing cover letters/resumes. As such, I neither had the time nor inclination to tell my life's story before presenting my question (after all, posts here are anonymous for a reason, no?).

Simplesimon, I think that you meant well, but I wasn't asking how to write a cover letter nor was a looking for a critique about my life choices.

[polly_mer]

I find it odd, though, that a simple, targeted question can elicit so much additional, unsolicited advice.  Some of this advice came across as quite patronizing and assumptive.

Look, you asked a question that is at best naive (how long?  As long as you need to make your point in a compelling way that people will read.)

Some people took that as an opportunity to provide some additional information that perhaps you hadn't thought to ask.

If the information isn't useful, then let it go.

Being snippy because someone dared to do more than answer your direct question that doesn't have a simple answer does not bode well for your future in most endeavors (and yes, that is unsolicited observation).

[noncountablenoun]

Polly_mer: I found the one poster's tone and the assumptions underlying his/her advice to be somewhat uncalled for. That's all.  To repeat the snippet that you quoted: "Some of this advice came across as patronizing..."

[dale1]

@noncountablenoun:

Have you heard the parable of the man who sniffed the gift fish?  These posters are going out of their way to provide what I consider to be constructive feedback that goes above and beyond.

Yes, they did not stick to your predefined box.  So what? 

Let's say I asked someone if the sky was blue and they said yes, and also there's a large anvil falling directly above your head.  Would I complain and steadfastly refuse to move? Would you?

[newprofwife]

2 pages is fine. This is academia afterall, not the corporate world. I have ten years of experience so there is no way to write a one page cover letter. It is a good idea to have folks proofread it and help you revise it. 

As far as all the critical feedback, just be prepared to answer those questions but be assured that many ABDS are working in admissions and other student support areas such as advising.   

[higheredguy]

Reasonable people can differ, but I'd limit to one page.  People are busy and usually skim cover letters.  Don't give the reader an invitation to skip yours.  Retain only the most relevant experiences you have and limit it to that one page.  I haven't read a two-pager cover letter yet that couldn't have benefited from editing.

One page.

In my professional experience, more than one page is a waste. Cover letters are skimmed. The purpose of a CL should give some information to reader that highlights some things that won't be found on the CV. Be very careful not to rewrite your CV on your CL. I hope this helps.