Difference between a "general" and a "generic" confidential letter of recommendation? In the context of applications to tenure-track assistant professorship positions in computer science in the US, I see both terms:


general confidential letter of recommendation
generic confidential letter of recommendation


What is the difference in the meaning of the terms?
There is no difference.  They both refer to a letter that discusses the applicant's achievements and qualifications for a general type of job (postdoc, assistant professor, etc) without being tailored to the expectations of a particular employer.