A reader writes:
As a graduate student going on the market this year I find myself obsessively worrying about every aspect of my dossier. One thing that has been a particular worry is the length of my writing sample. I think, and have gotten comments from readers to the effect that, it’s a fine paper, in need of few changes. But I’ve also gotten comments to the effect that, at 35 pages/twelve thousand five hundred words, it’s too long. I thought I might turn to Leiter Reports for advice. Is there a length for dossier papers which turns you off of a candidate when you are reviewing their file? Does it depend merely on content? Does it depend on the strength of the candidate’s file in general, and the sort of job she is applying for? Ideally, philosophers across the spectrum of universities would apply.
I generally recommend not more than 25 pages, but what do readers think? Signed comments strongly preferred, as usual. Post only once; comments may take awhile to appear.
