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AIBU?

Wibu to send this email regarding job application?

21 replies

SummerHatOn · 16/06/2014 15:38

Background: I was a deputy headteacher and left at Easter (horrible experience with bullying head). Straight after Easter I joined a supply agency and also emailed all local schools with my CV. A head teacher asked me to come in for a chat.

He basically said that my email was fantastic as it told him exactly what he needed to know (my past outstanding record with pupil progress), he'd put me down on their supply list, would it be ok if he passed my details on to local schools in his network as they often share details when they find good supply staff and he'd really like me to apply for a maternity cover coming up in September. As I left, he said he'd have a look through the diary and see if he could get me booked in for some supply days.

I came away absolutely beaming! Loved the school, loved the head and after having doubts that I'd ever get a job again, I felt really positive.

I didn't hear anything from him so the next week I emailed to say thanks for showing me around the school and I'll definitely be applying.

He emailed me about a week later to say that the advert was out (I'd already see it, but took this as another good sign).

Closing date was last Wednesday, I hand delivered application last Tuesday and heard nothing. Advert said interviews to take place week beginning 16th June. So by Friday I wrote it off. Today I've been driving myself crazy wondering what went wrong! I never thought I was guarenteed to get the job, but did think I'd get an interview. I turned down another interview that a headteacher was literally begging me to attend because I knew this job was coming up.

Would I be unreasonable to send an email along these line:

"Dear head,

As the interviews were this week, I am assuming that you have short listed for the maternity cover. I was just wondering if you would be able to give me any feedback on my application. I realise that you will be incredibly busy, so don't worry if it's not possible.
I am still available for supply work and am now registered with the LA as I have some regular supply days in local schools."

Is it too needy? Any other suggestions on wording? Should I not send it and just get over myself?! I realise that he my have had a rethink about me leaving a job partway through the year, but I was completely honest about it and he was very positive that I'd had the courage to leave!

Thanks if you managed to read this epic post! If I send it, I will do by 6 this evening, so any advice HUGELY appreciated.

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Cernabbas · 16/06/2014 15:42

Definitely worth an email to find out what was the issue with your application - especially if the signs were very encouraging previously.
The last bit may be a bit needy though.
Maybe reword it about as you are still applying for supply/cover type roles the feedback would be extremely useful to you.

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CoffeeTea103 · 16/06/2014 15:43

Yes don't send it, you're coming across a bit pushy. When he met you he gathered all the relevant information from you so no need to tell him again. Just wait it out. Maybe the process is taking longer. You should not have turned down the other interview as you had no guarantee that this was going to turn out to be something definite.

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Nulliferous · 16/06/2014 15:43

I wouldn't assume they've shortlisted, tbh. It's perfectly possible that you could still be invited for interview. schools being pretty shambolic places

I'd send the email though - can't do any harm.

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Pumpkinpositive · 16/06/2014 15:46

No, I think that sounds absolutely fine. You've kept it light. In my experience, people usually seek feedback after a failed interview rather than application but I can't see the harm in asking for feedback in this case! giving how promising the initial chat (almost an informal interview) was.

You're probably about to join the treadmill of applications/interviews and if there was something in your application that scuppured your chances with this post, I think it's perfectly natural you'd want to know what it was for future reference. Smile

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PeppermintInfusion · 16/06/2014 15:50

I think you should email, but not just yet. As the closing date was only Wednesday, there may have been delays in creating the short list, consulting the board of governors (I'm not a teacher, but from a family of teachers, so forgive me if it isn't the BOG or this doesn't happen where you are) or trouble getting the senior leadership to meet. It does seem quite a short timescale to close the application on Wednesday and inform everyone on the short list by Friday and expect them to be suitably prepared and able to get away from their current jobs to attend the interview etc even if the interviewees are aware of the interview window.
I would leave it til later this week, but definitely email as you've built up a rapport with them rather than sending an email out of the blue to someone you don't really know.

Fingers crossed!

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PeterParkerSays · 16/06/2014 15:53

I would add in "feedback on my application, as I presume at this stage that I have not been shortlisted for interview"

This may not be the case - if they have to have a minimum of 2 on the panel and the deputy head went down with dysentery last Friday, they wouldn't be interviewing this week and may have put off shortlisting.

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SummerHatOn · 16/06/2014 15:57

Thanks so far, will have another think about it.

Coffeetea, I understand what you are saying about not turning down the other interview, however, I am not just looking for any job- I have some savings so can cope on supply work for now and will only apply for/ accept a job that I feel completely happy about and have asked around about the Headteacher! I will not be in the position I was at my last school (all but 1 teacher has resigned so it wasn't just me!).

I absolutely love teaching, but last year nearly destroyed me and I see so many teachers leaving because of the same reasons. As much as I could really do with a job, it's got to be the right one for me.

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wannaBe · 16/06/2014 15:59

I would email for feedback on my application but not until after the proposed interview date.

You really shouldn't be turning down interviews based on a possibility which hadn't even materialised though. There were never any guarantees and you should always keep your options open.

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GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 16/06/2014 15:59

Can't you just email and ask about progress of your application? I certainly wouldn't assume you have been short listed at this early stage.

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GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 16/06/2014 16:00

Have not been short listed that should be.

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UnderEstherMate · 16/06/2014 16:01

I'd send it but not just yet. Give it another week. I had a similar experience recently, was warned about being too hasty with an email quite like yours, and lo and behold they contacted me more than a week after interviews were set to take place and asked me to come in to interview.

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Cernabbas · 16/06/2014 16:02

I know what you mean.
I am a teacher, as is my sister. She is a fantastic teacher but took the wrong job last year and is now leaving teaching (although going to be tutoring, so not a total change of direction). It's a real loss to the teaching profession. All because of a weak Head and a few "old school" member of staff who would undermine her (she was Assistant Head) and then get backing from the Head.

You make sure you get the right job. Good luck and keep us posted!

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SummerHatOn · 16/06/2014 16:48

Just found out that they did short list on Friday. Found out through a friend who is deputy in a different school (not sure how she knows!) Oh well! Won't send the email now though! I did have thoughts that they'd lost my application, or it never got handed to head, but I can live with others being better for the role than me.

Still not regretting turning down other job, if I'd got the same feeling from that head/ school, I'd have gone for it. Right, back to the job sites... Thanks everyone.

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parentalunit · 16/06/2014 23:50

I'd still send an email, but a "thanks for considering me, sorry it didn't work out" much better worded and see if he has any informal feedback about why you didn't get shortlisted.

For you all you know, the other candidates might not be good, and he might look you up again. Worth an email.

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wheresthelight · 17/06/2014 06:44

Is it possible that hos meeting with you counted as your interview and so he doesn't need to reinterview you?

They have to advertise and interview other candidates by law but he may have wanted your application so thateeverything was above board and you may still find that you get offered it.

I would leave it until this Friday amd then send him an email but just request feedback, don't mention the supply work

Good luck

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jaynebxl · 17/06/2014 06:51

I would absolutely send it. The feedback could be instrumental in getting your next job. That's what happened for me.

Wheresthelight sadly no. In schools the interview process is very strict. An informal meeting with the head couldn't count as no Govs present, no observation of the candidate teaching, interviews are run on a points system...

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HomeWhereTheMusicsPlaying · 17/06/2014 06:59

Definitely follow up and send. But I suspect short listing is taking longer than anticipated. So I agree with other posters who suggest you wait just a little longer

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SuburbanRhonda · 17/06/2014 07:16

OP, a bit off-topic, but I'm sorry to hear about the bullying HT at your previous job.

I had a similar experience with a HT in a school I left 18 months ago. The HT herself lasted just a year, but not before around 80% of the staff had left, some suffering from long-term stress and one who has not worked since.

It's a horrible experience and one which people don't expect to happen in a school, where our primary focus should be the children.

Flowers

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Kakaka · 17/06/2014 07:23

I would email and check they received your application and ask for feedback. Also check your email spam folder.

I once had an application get stuck in an organization's spam folder. I was really annoyed as it had taken me two days to do and I had told them I was going to apply. It looked very unprofessional when they didn't think I'd bothered.

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mumteedum · 17/06/2014 08:43

I would ask for feedback. I think that's totally reasonable in the circumstances plus you'll be wondering if you don't and you don't want this to undermine your confidence for future interviews. I would just say though that I would always post applications if not done online. If hand in in person then you're relying on someone to hand it to correct person at different time to rest of post. Much greater risk of it being left on desk, under pile of papers ime.

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Nomama · 17/06/2014 08:55

Check Junk folder, then ask for feedback, specifically if there were any areas he feels you need to work on.

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