In the opening of your letter you need to convey some basic information, such as what specific position you are applying for (using the title given in the job notice) and where you learned of the opening. The typical letter is thus usually one and a half to two pages long, but not more than two-roughly five to eight paragraphs. While the general advice for business cover letters-such as tailoring your letter for the specific job and selling your strengths-still applies, a cover letter for an academic position should be long enough to highlight in some detail your accomplishments during your graduate education in research, teaching, departmental service, and so on. Distinctions between Academic and Business Cover LettersĪ cover letter for an academic job has a function similar to one for a business job, but the content differs significantly in quantity and kind. Below you'll find some strategies for presenting your qualifications effectively in an academic context. When you're applying for a faculty position with a college or university, the cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression as a promising researcher and teacher. This resource is enhanced by an Acrobat PDF file. Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students.