Interview preparation by @molin_bryan

Name: Bryan Molin
Twitter name: @molin_bryan
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): Maths
Position: Assistant Headteacher
What is your advice about? Interview preparation

1. Go through the job spec very carefully to make sure you are absolutely clear about the requirements of the job. Reflect on how you meet each criteria
2. Make sure you have researched the school, its ethos, latest OFSTED and Google the SLT at the school. Modern technology gives you the opportunity to be fully prepared.
3. Make sure you have read up a little on educational theory. Twitter is a good starting point.
4. Make sure communication with the school is positive, polite and thorough. You may wish to visit the school before. Good to get intel from key staff and students.
5. Prepare for the questions with a trusted professional. I generally script answers. Think about concrete examples- what have you done, what impact and how it was evaluated.

Landing that dream teaching job by @MartinGSaunders

Name: Martin Saunders
Twitter name: @MartinGSaunders
Sector: Primary
Subject taught (if applicable):
Position: Chair of Governors
What is your advice about? Landing that dream teaching job

1. Remember that a real person has to read (and score) your application form. Check details, explain gaps in employment and make your personal statement easy to read. Spelling!
2. The whole recruitment process is scored on various criteria. Make sure at each step you consider and demonstrate what would be important.
3. Before a demo lesson ask about pupils needs, school behaviour policy and any conventions. Hardly anyone seems to and it always makes a great impression as well as helping you.
4. In the interview you will be asked about safeguarding. Learn the process by heart, it’s easy but newbies ALWAYS lose dumb points on this.
5. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. If you don’t fit then you will have made a lucky escape but being genuine and human goes a very long way.

Applications and interviews by @ewenfields

Name: David Jones
Twitter name: @ewenfields
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable):
Position: Head
What is your advice about? Applications and interviews

1. Do visit your prospective school-If they say, they don’t allow visits in school time-don’t apply! It has to feel right for you and you should tour everywhere.
2. Don’t rely on set letters-write to the school and give lots of practical learning and teaching examples which show your reflection and potential. Cut the philosophy/SPAG it!
3. If called for interview, contact school and ask about the needs of the class you are teaching, names, resources available etc. If they won’t or don’t tell you don’t go!
4. Scrub up and get your best suit on. You aren’t the finished product and good schools look for potential-your powers of reflection about your practice would be key for me.
5. If at any point you are unsure and feel that the school may not be right for you in terms of NQT support, CPD, workload etc.-WALK AWAY-there will be other jobs. Good luck

Job interview/application by Anonymous

Sector: Secondary
Position: Senior Teacher
What is your advice about? Job interview/application

1. Most recruitment processes will ‘score’ your letter. Even if it’s an internal role make sure it’s brilliant.
2. If they use an agency for the process it probably means they’re desperate (and stupid). You’ll find yourself doing things twice – Stay calm.
3. If you’re given a tour of the school this is not a time filler. The pupils/staff giving the tour will be asked their view, so don’t come across as an arse or be too quiet.
4. If you have gaps in employment/education you will be asked about it
5. They likely need you more than you need them. Therefore ALWAYS negotiate over pay.

The great NQT job hunt by @JenJayneWilson

Name: Jennifer Wilson
Twitter name: @JenJayneWilson
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): English
Position: English teacher, middle leader and SCITT mentor
What is your advice about? The great NQT job hunt

1. Don’t compare yourself to other people. People will get jobs at different times and it really doesn’t matter.
2. Do your research (e.g. prospectus, Ofsted reports etc) and tailor your application to reflect your research.
3. The school are looking for the ‘best fit’ for their gap so don’t try to be somebody you’re not in a desperate attempt to impress.
4. In your application focus on what you can offer the school, not what the school can offer you.
5. Stay true to who you are as a teacher. There’ll be a school where you are the best fit and that’s the place that will give you the best development in your NQT year.

Applying for Your First Internal Promotion by @molin_bryan

Name: Bryan Molin
Twitter:  @molin_bryan
Sector:  Secondary
Subject:
Position: Assistant Headteacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Applying for your first internal promotion

1. Take it seriously. They know you and the good work you put in, but you need to act as if you’re applying for an external job.
2. Ask as many (pertinent) questions as possible prior to the interview. It helps preparation and shows your eagerness.
3. Go into it with full confidence. There is no shame in not getting the job, but make sure you book a meeting to get a full debrief.
4. The evening before the interview, plan to have an evening off work, so you go into the interview with a clear mind.
5. Ask one of your work colleagues for support in preparing. Knowing the school’s context will increase the likelihood of being able to predict potential questions.

Interviews by @LearningSpy

Name: David Didau
Twitter name: @LearningSpy
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): English
Position: Untenable
What is your advice about? Interviews

1: Find out as much about the school as you can in advance; if at all possible visit before you apply for the job.

2: Make sure you meet the colleagues with whom you will be working most closely. If they don’t laugh at your jokes now, they never will.

3: Ask your prospective head of department if you can look through their schemes of work and lesson resources. If they don’t have anything in place you might want to reconsider.

4: Ask what the panel believe they about good teaching. If it sounds dodgy, or at odds with your beliefs, don’t take the job.

5: It’s currently a buyer’s market. If you have other interviews lined up, don’t be afraid to tell the headteacher.