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[Looking for UK advice]

I've been following the discussions on this forum on including the reasons for leaving a particular job in a covering letter in the US, but I'm looking for specific advice on similar situations in the UK (more general advice is also welcome).

My situation is the following: I'm in the second year of a three year contract at a top 5 UK university and I'm actively looking for a permanent job. At one of my interviews this year, one panel member asked for the reasons why I wanted to leave excellent department of X at excellent university Y for a job at university Z (which is also quite a good university). I answered with the positive reasons why I wanted to work at university Z, after which the panel asked me what my job situation was (fixed-term or permanent). I know, of course, that this is important information for the panel, because some more senior people apply for jobs in order to help them get promotion at their university and are not seriously thinking about moving.
 
I asked for advice at my own department and several people told me that it would be obvious that someone applying from a very good university is on a fixed-term contract. I thought it would also be obvious from my CV, which is good, but more work on publications is needed. But this is not that "obvious", apparently.

My question is, where or when (if at all) should I mention my job situation in the application process? (in some cases, but not always, there is a section on the application form where you mention the end date of your contract).

Many thanks

[%sig%]

[Anon 2]

Were you interviewed in the US or the UK?  Because something that might be clear at a UK university might not in a US unversity.

[Looking for UK advice]

At a UK university.

[Green Eyed Lady]

I don't see why you should mention anything obvious unless asked specifically. As some people say, 'don't complain, don't explain' in interviews. Good luck. GEL