ACADEMICS AT WORK. An analysis of the structures and moves of job adverts in a university setting

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to investigate job advertisements written in English targeting international staff from a selection of Swedish universities. This investigation is highly contemporary since universities attempt vigorously to promote themselves, and since international exchange programs and research are crucial for higher education institutions. As little research has been conducted on job advertisements in university settings, a key feature of this study is to examine the macrostructure and moves of a number of sample texts in order to see if patterns are detected. Alongside the exploratory analysis of the Swedish adverts, the same analysis is undertaken on a selection of adverts from British and American universities, enabling comparison between countries. Moreover, the introduction of texts from other nations brings the study into an international light. A secondary purpose of the essay is to shed some light on the kind of information these adverts include. This study shows that there are both differences and similarities as to how job adverts are written. For instance, a frequent approach in the adverts are high demands on the applicants, however, few educational institutions mention the professional benefits offered by the position. Another important aspect concerns salary, which is a recurring element in the British and American adverts but not in the Swedish ads. This study illustrates the structure, moves and content of job adverts which are used trying to target international staff.