As I mentioned earlier I've been in the fortunate position of being successful with my first job application. That's the exception rather than the rule - most NQTs have to apply for at least a few jobs before they get one.
I was lucky that a job I was interested in came up locally, but I also put a lot of effort into getting things just right and making a good impression.
Here I outline some of the key considerations, based on my own successful experience, for securing your first teaching post.
Timing is crucial:
Most student teachers start looking for a job during their second placement from January onwards. This early there is competition from qualified and experienced teachers, who want to move from one to school to another for whatever reason. The later you leave it the fewer qualified teachers you will be competing with.
In a state school a teacher has to hand in their notice by 31st May if they want to escape to a new school that September. This means a lot of jobs come up in June at about the same time a student teacher qualifies.
Do not be disheartened if you haven't secured employment until late in your teacher training.
Most people will have jobs by the end of June so if you see something advertised in July, just before the summer holidays, you know the school is pretty desperate to fill the vacancy. In these circumstances it's not uncommon for vacancies to be filled after an informal chat with the Head.
Do your research:
You need to find out as much as you can about the role and the school. The school will send you an application pack with loads of information about what they're looking for and aspire to. Read it cover to cover. You should also download the school's prospectus and Ofsted report. Read these documents cover to cover, taking the time to highlight and understand important recurrent points. Find out the names of key personalities at the school.
You must also show awareness of current subject-specific and whole school issues. Read up on the latest educational buzz words and big ideas.
Tailor your application:
Look at the job description and make sure your letter of application (or whatever it's called) covers all of the essential and desirable characteristics. You can drop in a few words or statements directly from the job description, just to reinforce the point that you have actually read it. Relate your past experiences to what the school is looking for - these offer crucial evidence to support what you're saying. Be sure to drop the school's name into appropriate sentences.
Do not use a generic letter of application. The personal touch is recognised and appreciated by whoever reads it.
Seek a second opinion:
Once you've written your tailored letter of application ask someone to pass a critical eye over it. This could be your subject mentor or university tutor.
Get noticed:
Contact the school and make yourself known before you send your application in. This really does pay dividends. In my own case I visited the school for a tour and chat with the Head. That chat allowed me to gather information about the values and ethos of the school, facilities and organisation and what they wanted in the job applicant. It also meant I was recognised as one of the keen ones when I was invited for interview.
On the day I was interviewed only two of us had made the effort to visit the school in advance.
Be adaptable:
Everyone applying for a teaching job can teach. You wouldn't be eligible to apply if you couldn't, because you wouldn't have achieved Qualified Teacher Status.
Schools want someone prepared to give something extra outside the classroom. Think carefully about what you can offer the school in addition to your teaching responsibilities. You'll almost certainly be asked about it at interview.
Be prepared:
Chances are you'll have to teach a lesson or give a presentation if you're invited for interview. This is without doubt one of the most important lessons you will ever teach, so make sure you understand what is required. You should enquire about the class size, ability, lesson location and available resources - the school will expect a diligent professional to ask these questions.
Once you know all the variables you need to work on your lesson plan. Ideally you want a few short and snappy lesson chunks, which will stretch the higher ability children and are achievable by the lower ability children. Think carefully about how you differentiate your tasks. Consider how you can use a range of learning styles to make things interactive and interesting.
Leave plenty of time to gather/prepare your lesson resources. It sets a good impression at interview if you turn up with a few homemade activities for the children to complete.
If you have a chance rehearse your lesson a couple of times. You may be able to borrow some children from your placement school to do this!
Hand over your lesson plan to those observing you at interview.
On the day I was interviewed one of my fellow candidates failed to produce a lesson plan. His card was marked from then on.
Confident, firm and focused:
Once you're on stage in front of the children you need to blank out (as best you can) the thought of being interviewed. The people observing you will want to see a confident, firm and purposeful lesson. Better still if it runs to plan, although they'll understand you're in unfamiliar surroundings and working with children you don't really know. I had problems with the interactive whiteboard on the day of my interview, but I just cracked a joke and plodded on regardless.
The children are yours for the lesson and you need to establish your dominance in the classroom. As soon as any of the children are distracted you should whip them into line firmly. The people observing you will no doubt be impressed by your ability and confidence to take control in an alien environment.
Keep up the pace and don't allow the children to sit idly. Of course you'll have practiced this so there won't be a problem!
I was lucky that a job I was interested in came up locally, but I also put a lot of effort into getting things just right and making a good impression.
Here I outline some of the key considerations, based on my own successful experience, for securing your first teaching post.
Timing is crucial:
Most student teachers start looking for a job during their second placement from January onwards. This early there is competition from qualified and experienced teachers, who want to move from one to school to another for whatever reason. The later you leave it the fewer qualified teachers you will be competing with.
In a state school a teacher has to hand in their notice by 31st May if they want to escape to a new school that September. This means a lot of jobs come up in June at about the same time a student teacher qualifies.
Do not be disheartened if you haven't secured employment until late in your teacher training.
Most people will have jobs by the end of June so if you see something advertised in July, just before the summer holidays, you know the school is pretty desperate to fill the vacancy. In these circumstances it's not uncommon for vacancies to be filled after an informal chat with the Head.
Do your research:
You need to find out as much as you can about the role and the school. The school will send you an application pack with loads of information about what they're looking for and aspire to. Read it cover to cover. You should also download the school's prospectus and Ofsted report. Read these documents cover to cover, taking the time to highlight and understand important recurrent points. Find out the names of key personalities at the school.
You must also show awareness of current subject-specific and whole school issues. Read up on the latest educational buzz words and big ideas.
Tailor your application:
Look at the job description and make sure your letter of application (or whatever it's called) covers all of the essential and desirable characteristics. You can drop in a few words or statements directly from the job description, just to reinforce the point that you have actually read it. Relate your past experiences to what the school is looking for - these offer crucial evidence to support what you're saying. Be sure to drop the school's name into appropriate sentences.
Do not use a generic letter of application. The personal touch is recognised and appreciated by whoever reads it.
Seek a second opinion:
Once you've written your tailored letter of application ask someone to pass a critical eye over it. This could be your subject mentor or university tutor.
Get noticed:
Contact the school and make yourself known before you send your application in. This really does pay dividends. In my own case I visited the school for a tour and chat with the Head. That chat allowed me to gather information about the values and ethos of the school, facilities and organisation and what they wanted in the job applicant. It also meant I was recognised as one of the keen ones when I was invited for interview.
On the day I was interviewed only two of us had made the effort to visit the school in advance.
Be adaptable:
Everyone applying for a teaching job can teach. You wouldn't be eligible to apply if you couldn't, because you wouldn't have achieved Qualified Teacher Status.
Schools want someone prepared to give something extra outside the classroom. Think carefully about what you can offer the school in addition to your teaching responsibilities. You'll almost certainly be asked about it at interview.
Be prepared:
Chances are you'll have to teach a lesson or give a presentation if you're invited for interview. This is without doubt one of the most important lessons you will ever teach, so make sure you understand what is required. You should enquire about the class size, ability, lesson location and available resources - the school will expect a diligent professional to ask these questions.
Once you know all the variables you need to work on your lesson plan. Ideally you want a few short and snappy lesson chunks, which will stretch the higher ability children and are achievable by the lower ability children. Think carefully about how you differentiate your tasks. Consider how you can use a range of learning styles to make things interactive and interesting.
Leave plenty of time to gather/prepare your lesson resources. It sets a good impression at interview if you turn up with a few homemade activities for the children to complete.
If you have a chance rehearse your lesson a couple of times. You may be able to borrow some children from your placement school to do this!
Hand over your lesson plan to those observing you at interview.
On the day I was interviewed one of my fellow candidates failed to produce a lesson plan. His card was marked from then on.
Confident, firm and focused:
Once you're on stage in front of the children you need to blank out (as best you can) the thought of being interviewed. The people observing you will want to see a confident, firm and purposeful lesson. Better still if it runs to plan, although they'll understand you're in unfamiliar surroundings and working with children you don't really know. I had problems with the interactive whiteboard on the day of my interview, but I just cracked a joke and plodded on regardless.
The children are yours for the lesson and you need to establish your dominance in the classroom. As soon as any of the children are distracted you should whip them into line firmly. The people observing you will no doubt be impressed by your ability and confidence to take control in an alien environment.
Keep up the pace and don't allow the children to sit idly. Of course you'll have practiced this so there won't be a problem!