Writing letters?

[how?]

I am a third year AP who sat on the committe of someone that is going on the job market this fall.  This is my first time having done this.  This person has asked me to write a letter for the job market and I have agreed.

I never saw my own letters when I was on the market.  So I am not sure what to put in the letter. I know that when I write these for people entering grad school I talk about things that make them great learners with good potential in the future.  But I am not sure what I should say for someone that is actually going out to be my colleague.  I don't want to write a letter that sounds like they would make a good student.  Could someone elaborate a bit on what they put in their letters?

[qwe]

Sept 6, 2015 13:44:49 GMT -5 how? said:

I am a third year AP who sat on the committe of someone that is going on the job market this fall.  This is my first time having done this.  This person has asked me to write a letter for the job market and I have agreed.

I never saw my own letters when I was on the market.  So I am not sure what to put in the letter. I know that when I write these for people entering grad school I talk about things that make them great learners with good potential in the future.  But I am not sure what I should say for someone that is actually going out to be my colleague.  I don't want to write a letter that sounds like they would make a good student.  Could someone elaborate a bit on what they put in their letters?

When it comes to job market letters, I've found that it is not the strength of the adjectives used, but the specificity of the details and skills discussed. In other words, it is about how you can discuss how the student's particular research ties into the area they are trying to hire, the specific methodological skills they possess, the things that would make them a good colleague, etc.

[Hiring Committee?]

I am not sure if you have been able to sit on a hiring committee, but I found that reading letters from other scholars on job candidates to be very helpful. I agree with the above poster that specific examples, not general platitudes work best. Definitely discuss research, teaching and service. Emphasize each depending on the type of position. If it is a teaching gig, emphasize teaching. If it is a research gig, emphasize research. etc.