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Post by nia2311 on May 24, 2012 18:49:52 GMT
I have been for three teaching interviews this week, in three days. Each one required a different lesson, different format etc, so have spent the last week doing non-stop preparation. I have spent over £50 on public transport to and from colleges, as I injured my shoulder/arm riding and cannot drive. At each interview, particularly the one yesterday, I felt it went really well. BUT I didn't get offered a job at any of the colleges. Feedback from all three: you are an excellent candidate, you produced oustanding lessons, innovative, interactive blah blah. Student feedback was great. Spoken interview was strong. No negative feedback at all. I asked "what can I do to improve next time" and the answer every time was "just carry on doing the same." The excuse on all three occasions was "we just wanted someone with more experience, especially teaching A Level." I am recently out of teacher training, which is abundantly clear on the application. When you are a trainee, they won't let you near A level with a bargepole because they are so precious about results. Therefore I trained mainly on BTEC L2 and L3 Science/Biology. This is also abundantly clear on my application. Why bother asking a newly qualified teacher to interview if they want an experienced teacher? I just feel so depressed now.  I put so much effort into these interviews - made resources, used almost a whole ream of paper and a full ink cartridge printing all sorts and spent hours, often late at night due to family commitments. I have endured crappy bus and train journeys, with one arm, being jostled and trying to carry my bag and negotiate stairs and stations and all for what??? Nothing. I would PREFER them to say I was useless - give me 20 things to improve on next time. But for them to say everything was fantastic, you just hadn't got enough experience compared to the successful candidate is so galling. There are 3 others to apply for, but I feel like I am wasting my time. I really am so hacked off and cannot find the motivation to continue. Thanks for reading..... |
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Post by leevale on May 24, 2012 19:12:55 GMT
Just keep trying, you will get the one that is right for you in the end. You must be doing something right if you are actually getting interviews. And however good you already are at interviews, you are bound to improve even more with practice. I know the interview process is gruelling, and even if you don't get the job, you never know who you might impress along the way, which could stand you in good stead at some other time. Don't think of it as a waste of time if you don't get the job, just put it down to experience! Good luck  |
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on May 25, 2012 7:58:26 GMT
Not much consolation but after my sister was made redundant from teaching special needs, she went for interview after interview for teaching jobs. She was TOO experienced and the jobs went to newly qualified..............seems your d**ned if you are and d**ned if you aren't!!!
Keep plugging away.
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Post by bumblebee on May 25, 2012 8:45:08 GMT
Unfortunately at the moment there are so many applicants for so few jobs. I was applying for Cover Supervisor positions earlier in the year and some of those were getting up to 80 applicants. To even get an interview you must be doing something right!!
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Post by nia2311 on May 25, 2012 20:31:20 GMT
I just wonder why they ask NQTs to interview if they want an experienced teacher! Did another application last night, two more to do this weekend.........
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kayjayem
Happy to help....a lot
Posts: 10,046
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Post by kayjayem on May 25, 2012 21:20:02 GMT
Maybe they ask NQT's in case the experienced ones don't measure up! I'm sure all the experienced ones can't be up to scratch so maybe they are covering all bases. It must be positive that you are getting the interviews, couldn't you use the prep you have already done for future interviews instead of starting from scratch every time? Good luck I'm sure you will get something, there must be lots who don't even get to interview stage.
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Post by nia2311 on May 25, 2012 21:26:10 GMT
No I cant as they ask for totally different lessons, of varying lengths. This week I have done 20mins on blood glucose concentration, 30 mins on the need for risk assessment in labs, and 15mins on the structure and function of enzymes. No way the planning is interchangable. The types of spoken questions are similar and I don't do anything specific for that. The time consuming thing is coming up with an innovative, interactive, all singing and dancing lesson with suitable resources etc. Every interview is different unfortunately
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Post by nia2311 on May 28, 2012 15:09:27 GMT
Well, have two more this week so am getting my hopes up again. Love sitting doing this prep while the sun shines, not!
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Post by oldtime teacher on May 29, 2012 12:56:40 GMT
Well, have two more this week so am getting my hopes up again. Love sitting doing this prep while the sun shines, not! So sorry you are struggling getting a job. I have been teaching for over 30 years, now work for the advisory service and it never gets any easier. When I was applying I always phoned and asked point blank if it was any use my applying. Were they looking for a NQT, male, piano player etc. I must confess Heads were always straight with me when I asked off the record. Think positively, every interview will improve your performance and stand you in good stead. Your face will become known to the LEA officers and this counts enormously. When I first applied from college in the 70s there were 100s applying for every post, I know from being an LEA officer there are far fewer now, and your turn will come. |
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Post by nia2311 on May 29, 2012 17:22:32 GMT
Thanks for the encouragement old time teacher. Have just put the finishing touches on yet another novel resource and lesson plan for the interview tomorrow (only got the invite yesterday at 3pm!), just need to buy some bits and bats for the one on Thursday. Do the colleges realise how much is spent by teachers attending interviews on paper, ink, coloured card and other bits you end up buying, just to make the lesson really special and well planned?!
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Post by Ziggy on Jun 2, 2012 9:13:50 GMT
I hate interviews and as a Nurse I always thought that nursing interviews were tough with grilling questions and often presentations. That was until I saw the interview process for a new headteacher at my childrens primary school. Went on for days!! Now i realise that they need to get the right person but I felt so sorry for these teachers, really tough stuff.
Good luck with your quest. you will ge there! it took me 7 months of appilcation forms, interviews and 'no' phonecalls to get my current new job which I totally love!!
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Post by oldtime teacher on Jun 3, 2012 17:09:20 GMT
Glad to hear you got another interview Nia2311, keeping my fingers crossed for you. I know what you mean about buying materials, unfortunately it doesn't stop at interviews I have spent a fortune during my teaching career buying materials and particular books I wanted. I have a shed full of books I have bought which I no longer use now as I am out of the classroom and an advisor. Teaching is a fab job though, so stick with it. I'm sure you will get a job as you obviuosly care about doing it well. I'm not sure it is the fun it was in the 70s and 80s, I could tell you tales that would make your hair curl with todays health and safety police! It remains rewarding though, both financially and morally. I wish you all the luck with your career. I always gave the same piece of advice to newly qualified teachers, you have probably already been told but in case you haven't. In your first few weeks, however firm you think you could possibly be - then at least double it. You can always relax discipline, but it's a devil to get back once its gone.
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Post by nia2311 on Jun 3, 2012 21:15:33 GMT
Thanks for the advice oldtime teacher! I gained a reputation in my placement for being a bit of a disciplinarian, in fact one group nicknamed me The General and answered the register accordingly (these are post 16 students, so a little more leeway on these things!)
I had two interviews this week, and again both the same responses - good, excellent blah blah, wanted more experience. Have applied for two more this weekend, and lets see what comes of those.
I am considering going back and doing a PhD instead - I put that off after Uni as my son was very young. I really am not sure what to do. The PhD opens up lots of options for teaching, even during the three years, and HE are now looking for lecturers to have a teaching qualification, which they didn't previously.
To be honest, I don't know whether to take any old job this year to gain experience, or something else. I was hoping for part time teaching fairly locally. I have always been the one commuting miles, working long hours. Now my hubby does a lot of evening teaching and I want to have time for my son and his hobbies. So, I don't really want another 35 mile commute, with full time hours, as I may as well give my son to the orphanage. But, all the part time teaching jobs I went for have gone to experience people, so I may have no choice but to take full time, miles away. Again.
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I put so much effort into these interviews - made resources, used almost a whole ream of paper and a full ink cartridge printing all sorts and spent hours, often late at night due to family commitments. I have endured crappy bus and train journeys, with one arm, being jostled and trying to carry my bag and negotiate stairs and stations and all for what??? Nothing.
