I am applying for faculty positions this year and have asked four senior academics to write me reference letters.

Most of the applications had a deadline around December 1st, which I assume should be for the letter writers as well.

Three of my writers have submitted their letters, but the fourth said that there is a grant deadline soon and the letter will be ready towards the end of the month.

Given that

1. Most ads ask for three or more papers (and three are already in).
2. The missing letter is from my postdoc host.

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> **How likely is the delay in the last letter to affect my chances?**
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I am wondering if asking a fifth recommender (that is less familiar with my works, although we published a paper together) for a letter would help, and how much I should pressure my host to finish the letter?.