Applying for Jobs

Applying for Jobs

22 March, 2016

Applying for and acquiring jobs seems to be increasingly difficult for teachers in Victoria. Kristen explores what it means to be finishing her course and the job application process.

I’m in the final year of my Bachelor of Education (Primary) in Melbourne and most weeks I’ll get asked the question ‘So when do you finish?’ and I’ll say ‘this year!’ enthusiastically, and then I get the comment ‘ahhh, so you must be nearly ready to apply for jobs!’. All of a sudden, I’m feeling daunted, stressed and anxious, much like the lady in the picture. I’ve heard bad things about applying for teaching jobs fresh out of university.

Firstly, I think back to a friend who finished her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) degree three years ago - one of the most lovely, friendly girls you’ll ever meet. She applied for over 100 jobs, and had only 4 interviews come out of it. The problem with the interviews was that they were for a position that had already been ‘filled’, but government required the schools to interview at least two other candidates before they could hire/re-hire that candidate. She was offered a position in a country location, however chose not to accept this position.

Secondly, another friend finished her Bachelor of Education Secondary, specialising in English and Drama two years ago. A similar story, applied for what seemed like tens of hundreds of jobs, writing unique key selection criteria suited to each school, without much success. It is important in this case to consider that drama is a specialist field, and these jobs are hard to come by at the best of times. She has a theory though (which she claims to be true), that a school will receive hundreds of applications, split the pile in half, and throw away one of the piles without so much as a glance. I really hope this isn’t true.*

Now, I’m not telling you these stories to scare you - I’m telling these stories to help us explore how we can set ourselves apart in the application process. Keep reading to find out what happened to these two friends (there is hope, don’t worry!). These stories do however beg the question: How to we get schools to look at our application?

If there’s one thing that I know for sure - schools want you to have a range of experience. Experience that may not be limited to placements required by your course, but experience working with children in other settings too. This indicates that you’re proactive and have demonstrated the necessary skills to work with children on a regular basis. 

For the duration of my course, I’ve been volunteering at a children’s art class that runs weekly after school, as well as a breakfast club at a local high school. Every time I mention that I’m studying Primary Teaching to one of the parents, they make the comment ‘that’ll look great on your resume!’ and I (mentally) pat myself on the back. Perhaps you’re like Alex who volunteers in a classroom (see below) - or perhaps you’re a swim teacher or maybe a nanny. What I’m trying to say is - whatever experience you have working with children is experience that schools want to hear about because these experiences will inevitably have helped to shape you as a teacher.

Back to my two friends - the first spent some time working as a casual relief teacher (CRT), and secured an ongoing contract at her dream school 6 months later. The second has worked as a CRT and had three term-long contracts at different schools filling long-service-leave positions. The feedback that she has received from schools is that they are looking for someone with experience, so she will continue to try and gain some more experience. 

*if you’ve heard of some other myths like this, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll see what I can find out about them.

- Kristen

The Value of Helping Out

The Value of Helping Out

12th March, 2016

Alex talks about his experience helping out at a local school and how it has improved his teaching confidence

Early on in my teaching course I realised that while the various placements we had coming up over our four years were going to be fantastic experience, I still didn’t think they would be enough to get me comfortable with the classroom environment.

When you’re on placement it can be quite intense; teaching, planning, assignments, and generally getting to know everyone. It’s a new school, new staff and new kids – and it’s only for a few weeks! I knew I would benefit from seeing a classroom in action and helping out over a longer period of time, but I wasn’t sure how. I ended up volunteering for a charity who worked to place people in low socio-economic schools, to help students in need. Through a little bit of planning, and some luck, I found myself in my local primary school – only a few minutes walk from my house! I’ve been helping out there in various classrooms for the last year and I can tell you the experience has not only been personally rewarding, but has improved my teaching confidence and familiarity with schools.

Being a volunteer at a school has numerous benefits, but here are the main ones:

• You get to see the progression of a school year. You get the chance to witness what happens day-to-day in classrooms, as well as units of work as they progress over a term. It gives you a sense of the scope of teaching and the long-term planning that shapes each lesson.
• It’s free observation. There’s no such thing as too much observation. As you progress through your teaching course you will begin to notice new things and change your focus. As a volunteer I’ve been able to see numerous lessons, including maths, inquiry, reading, art class, and book club. You won’t believe how much you will pick up without realising, plus it’s a wonderful chance to experience some different teaching styles.
• You get to work one-on-one with kids and in small groups. This may change depending on where you volunteer, but many teachers are more than happy for you to work one-on-one with a child or small group. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a boy and girl developing their literacy, and help a year 6 class with their maths skills! It’s a great way to develop your teaching skills and put theory into practice.
• It’s more relaxed and flexible than being on placement. Forget university supervisors. Forget teaching folders. Forget assignments and taking a whole class who you’ve only just met! Volunteering is a relaxed way to build your skills; most teachers understand you are learning and are more than happy to provide you with support and advice. You wouldn’t believe how much fun being in a classroom can be when the stresses of placement aren’t there!
• You’re helping out. Truly. Many of the teachers I’ve volunteered for are so grateful for an extra pair of hands, especially when those hands are well on their way to becoming a qualified primary school teacher! You offer the chance for teachers to get help to those students they know are struggling, but just don’t have time to work with one-on-one. The children and the teacher will appreciate your support.

 
I hope I’ve convinced you to give volunteering a go – and it doesn’t have to be through a charity! Just head down to your local school and ask! You do have skills and you can be of value. Why not help out in a classroom and develop your teaching ability in the process? Trust me, you’ll enjoy it. And you might just land yourself a job.

- Alex