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[canuckois]

I'm currently on the TT at an American R1, and have decided to apply for a lecturer position at a major UK university.  Before I landed my current position I sent out innumerable cover letters to American programs, but I'm wondering if anyone here has insights as to how I might adapt my standard American letter to a UK environment.  Are there things I should or shouldn't emphasize?  Is there a different "tone" that someone could suggest?  I realize these are broad questions, but if anyone could point to fundamental differences between US and UK letters, it would be very useful.  Many thanks.

[babbinacara]

There isn't much philosophical difference between an R1 US and a 'major' (assuming this means research-focussed, rather than simply large) UK university. So your standard letter would probably be fine.

Two sentences should cover these: Read up on the REF and describe how your published or nearly-published research has influenced your field and will contribute to the department's REF score. Be aware of the funding opportunities in your field and mention where you would hope to put in major grant applications (ESRC, AHRC, Wellcome, whatever).

And you do need to make sure you use, not exactly British English, but UK conventions. Stalk the university's website. So if they use "Supervisor" for the main academic contact for a PhD student, use that when mentioning your own current students, rather than the (more common?) US "Advisor" (which would be the junior member of a PhD student's supervision team in many UK univs).

[scotia]

The following may be specific to my field and those adjacent, but this is based on my experience of applying for jobs, and from screening applications as a SC member.

In my experience, UK letters tend to be shorter than letters for a position in the US - longer than one page is rare for a lecturer position here. Use the covering letter to briefly highlight how you meet some of the key 'Essential' and, possibly, 'Desirable' criteria in the Further Particulars for the job.

A standard format might be:

Salutation.

Brief statement of interest in advertised job at JohnSmith University.

Two or three short paragraphs that describe how you fit the person specification (so pay close attention to the person specification - it is important).

If there is any further information that you require, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sign off.

[username2]

Be sure to carefully address the person specifications / hiring criteria if one is listed. If in table form, this usually indicates a well organized HR department, which means you must leave no stone unturned in terms of silly essential or desirable qualities.

I usually just do my normal cover letter, then attach bullet points addressing the criteria to the end of the letter in this case.

[canuckois]

This is all very useful -- thank you!

[expatinuk]

Are you completing an application as well? In the Uk that's the part that's important. Some places allow you to submit a cover letter and cv as well as an application, but almost all of them require an application where you state how you fit the person spec.

[canuckois]

Are you completing an application as well? In the Uk that's the part that's important. Some places allow you to submit a cover letter and cv as well as an application, but almost all of them require an application where you state how you fit the person spec.

I have the option of filling out the online application or uploading a single file containing a letter, CV, and research statement.  I'm opting for the latter, and using the letter to explain how I fit the person specification.