JOBSHOP
Teaching Job Applications Introduction Understanding the job requirements and demonstrating your skills are key to producing a successful application. Most schools use application forms for candidates to apply for jobs. They will usually provide: § A Job Description This gives an outline of the role, the purpose of the role and lists the main responsibilities of the post.
§ A Person Specification This lists the qualifications, knowledge and experience they expect the role holder to have. These normally set out the criteria the selection panel will be making their decision on and can be based around the standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status such as planning, teaching and class management. It is essential to follow the instructions on the form carefully.
Types of Application Form Online Application form: These usually allow you to save the application as you go. They can sometimes ‘time-out’, so ensure you save regularly. It is recommended that you type your answers in word and then copy and paste into the application form. The employer will only be able to view your application once you have ‘submitted’ it. Paper Application form: Some employers still use a form for you to apply for a job. You will usually type onto the form and email it back to the employer. If you are sent just one paper form, always photocopy it and complete a draft version, before writing on the application form.
Application Form content The form will usually include the following sections: Education
Usually with your most recent experience first.
Employment / work experience This is normally with your most recent experience first. You will usually list your teaching placements and any other schools experience first. You will then list other work experience. Interests and achievements
You will need to list these bearing in mind the skills and experience the employer is seeking.
Personal statement
In this section give detailed information to support your application.
References
One reference should be Bishop Grosseteste University, with the contact as ittref@bishopg.ac.uk, The other reference is usually one of your teaching placements. The contact name will be the Headteacher of the school, even if the teacher you worked most closely with writes the reference. Ensure you ask permission before naming them as a referee.
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Personal Statement The personal or supporting statement part of a job application will often be a blank page with instructions to explain how you would relate your education, training and experience to the requirements of the post for which you are applying. Most schools will have taken the time to write a Person Specification which list the key skills, knowledge and experience the job requires and they often use terms such as ‘Essential’ and ‘Desirable’. Your statement needs to illustrate how you meet all the essential criteria and any desirable criteria you also meet. You should use actual examples from your school placements together with your reflections about this experience. Before you start ü Have a copy of the Person Specification to use as a guide of what to include in your statement ü
Make sure you carry out any instructions to the detail
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Do your research on the school and take a look at the ofsted report. This can help you to further understand what the school is looking for in a teacher.
Put yourself in the position of the recruiting panel. You need to make it easy for the recruiter to find what they are looking for in your application.
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Try to provide the relevant evidence in the order it is given to you. The panel will score your application. They will normally fill in a table with criteria that relates to the personal specification and they will score each one you fulfil according to what you have written in your application.
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If there are a lot of high scoring applications, the following will become even more important: spelling and grammar, your personality and strengths, what you can offer the school, why you want to work at the school, how engaging your application is.
Content Style and Grammar § Be concise and adopt a professional tone
§ Do not reduce your font size below 10
§ Break it up with paragraphs to make it easier to read
§ Check your spelling and grammar
Guides to spelling and grammar are available from Learning Development; free guides also available from the Plain English Campaign - www.plainenglish.co.uk Structure Introduction § Don’t just launch into answering each point on the person specification. Use an opening paragraph as a way to introduce yourself. Say what you are currently doing and relate it to the teaching job you are applying for. Show your enthusiasm for working for this particular school. Mention that you have visited the school. Main content §
Each point you make needs a specific example to show how you have fulfilled the requirement given in the person specification. Mirror the words used giving an example of what you have done. Tailor it to that school i.e. if it is a special school use examples of working with SEN pupils. Tailor it to that age group/subject by giving relevant examples of when you have taught these pupils.
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Mention the children, how you have engaged and motivated them.
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Link what you have done/observed to how this will be helpful to the school you are applying for.
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Use descriptive words that show how you did something and what skills you used.
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Include information about your subject specialisms, not just the ones included in your training but any other subject specialisms you have.
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What else do you have to offer i.e. play a musical instrument, speak a second language, IT skills, sports, drama, anything that could be useful to the school.
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Include other work experience, as long as you are able to make it relevant to the job.
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Remember to inject your own personality into the statement. Use attributes that describe you i.e. outgoing,
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enthusiastic, creative…etc. Ensure you only use positive language. Do not be negative or self-depreciating.
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Use words that show you enjoy teaching i.e. successful, motivated, enjoyable, happy...
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Avoid unnecessary duplication. Do not repeat information that is already recorded elsewhere on the form. i.e. You do not need to state your full university course title, but can instead say ‘at University’. Try not to use the same examples or sentences. Try not to use the same ‘key words’ too often. Use the thesaurus to choose suitable alternatives.
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The Employer wants to know what you can do for them, so don’t get hung up on your own feelings and what you want out of the job.
Conclusion §
Reiterate your suitability and enthusiasm for the job/school.
Editing §
Leave enough time for editing.
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Your statement should be no more than 2-3 pages. It will be tempting to try to include as much as possible; however, too much information will be off putting to the reader. Choose carefully your examples and use your language to convey concisely your skills and abilities.
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Read the statement out loud to help you check for repeated examples, words or similar sentences and change as appropriate.
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Spell check.
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Ask someone else to re-read and check for errors.
Reviewing an application after interview When you have submitted an application/attended an interview you will need to review your ‘performance’ and may wish to contact the school for feedback. If you are unsuccessful in your application you may need to consider: Was my application well written, were there any mistakes?
Did I give enough appropriate examples?
Did I effectively convey my skills and experience and how I would be suited to the job? Personal Statement - Quick Checklist §
Use the Job Specification as the ‘template’ for your statement. Use the key words in your statement. Make sure you fulfil each key requirement. Use examples. Use words that illustrate your skills.
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Include information about your curriculum strengths and what you can offer.
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Have you mentioned extra-curricular activities, work with parents, equal opportunities, teaching philosophy.
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Check for repeated examples/words and change as appropriate.
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Show enthusiasm for teaching and for the school.
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Use positive language. Do not be negative or self-depreciating.
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Remember to check your spelling and grammar and ensure you are honest. Think – would you employ this person? Would you want them to teach your child?
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Remember to keep everything, job spec, your completed application/letter. If you are invited to interview, you will need this information.
Useful link: Education Personnel Management - https://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/epm_nqt “Applying for your first Teaching Post” a guide to writing a teaching CV & covering letter, go to page 8 for detailed information.
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Covering Letters Covering letter to accompany an application form (This is sometimes sent as an email when submitting an application form). If your supporting statement on the application form has been well written, there will be no need to include this information in the covering letter. You will, however, need to:-
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Ensure you address it to the correct person, usually the Headteacher and spell their name correctly State which job you are applying for and why State why you are suitable for the job Mention that you have visited the school Answer any questions they ask in their letter to applicants. Sometime the school will ask you to complete the application form and provide a covering letter which covers questions or headings given in their letter to applicants.
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Reiterate your enthusiasm for this job and the school
Ensure you have a positive and polite ending to your letter Supporting letter of application to accompany an application form Important! This is different to the above covering letter and is used if a school asks you to complete a supporting letter of application as well as the application form. In this case, you need to divide the information that you would include in the personal statement between the supporting letter and the application form.
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Your letter should include who you are (trainee at BGU, age phase, subject specialism) and why you are applying for the post.
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The personal statement should include your philosophy and your experience. e.g. I undertook my final placement in a city school, similar to XXX (name of school applied to), and I enjoyed working within a diverse team in a school with an ethos of valuing children as individuals as this type of school embodies my own philosophy of....”
Supporting letter of application to accompany a CV The CV should always be accompanied by a supporting letter, which is essentially the personal statement part of an application with an appropriate beginning and end. See the ‘personal statement’ advice for information on what to include in this letter of application. CV’s are less likely to be used than an application form. A skill based CV which carefully matches the job description is best for teaching. NQT’s could also follow the example of a teaching CV given by Prospects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs
BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Services Application help: An adviser can take a look at the personal statement part of your application and let you know how it could be improved. Please email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk for an appointment booking form. Limitations of service: the Careers Advisers aim to respond to your email within five working days, during busy times this may not be possible. Resources: Resource Centre: Guides with tips and advice on applications, interviews and job hunting. Blackboard: BG Futures module of Blackboard has resources on applications, interviews and job hunting BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Operates in accordance with the University Diversity and Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk For more information go to Blackboard or www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers