The Interview
Schools, Agency and LEA pool interviews are each quite different from the other.
It is normal practice, within education, for applicants for a specific post to be offered a job on the same day as the interview and they are then expected to say whether they accept or not. Agencies do not usually do this since you are their client as much as the school is. Pool recruitment does not always guarantee a job since the LEA cannot bind the school to take a teacher from the Pool.
Give this some thought in advance. School interviews are usually competitive. Agency interviews are generally not so.
Gentle, secure confidence is the objective - don't be over confident and equally, remember that shyness is just as damaging. Practise with your friends. A good agency will spend time finding out your likes and dislikes, as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Agency work is best suited for flexible and confident teachers, but make sure that you tell your interviewer what you are looking for. Distrust the agency that tries to talk you into taking a job that is not suitable for your qualifications.
Dec 31, 2004, 12:52
After the interview
In the case of an individual school, you will normally be asked to stay with the other candidates while the panel deliberates. The successful candidate is usually asked back in, and is offered the job. It is important to be clear about your starting salary. Schools now have discretion available over the starting salary of a new teacher and you may wish to try and negotiate.
Mar 23, 2005, 15:57