Had an interview yesterday for a job at a very prestigious and high achieving school. Had a gruelling day of interviews and activities that took masses of planning. Lovely school, lovely kids, amazing opportunity.
And I didn’t get it. 
And I know that out of the four candidates, only one of us did, and I know they were probably more experienced/better fit/whatever but I am feeling really really down about it. I’ve never got a job that I’ve had an interview for before 
so any rejection previously has always been ‘faceless’ as it’s always been at an ‘on paper’ stage rather than face to face. I was awake till 1am over analysing every single thing I said or did. It only happened yesterday so it’s still very raw. Am feeling really down, and it’s half term and I don’t want to feel like this all week, so please tell me to pull myself together!
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Tell me to pull myself together
Unicorndiscoball · 10/02/2018 10:47
Unicorn, I've been teaching for over twenty years and on only two occasions have I got the job I went for. (On neither occasion did the job work out long-term. Once I was shafted over terms and conditions, and once the head was very unpleasant indeed). In 2008 I made a determined effort to get a full-time job, which resulted in my being rejected by practically every school within a thirty mile radius over the next two years, frequently after very gruelling interview days 
. I waited it out at my current school, and eventually got what I wanted there (touch wood).
All I can do is sympathise and say I know exactly how you feel. 
Sorry, I should have read your post more carefully . I thought you were another bad interviewee, like me! Nonetheless, rejection is never pleasant, and the teaching interview process is uniquely bonkers and stressful. Are surgeons asked to perform a quick op?
Thank you everyone 
I was the youngest candidate by about 5 years and although I have loads of experience, it’s not directly applicable to this particular role/is in smaller schools etc. It was a long shot and I was fairly surprised to get an interview, so I’m not shocked That I didn’t get it, but it still stings a bit! My ego is obviously bigger than I thought
Have just had lunch at pizza express which is helping a bit
I feel like the deputy head liked me but the head wasn’t keen. Which is fine, he’s got to do what’s best for the school, but us teachers are generally such people pleasers and perfectionists aren’t we?! We can’t bear feeling like we’ve not done our best.
Ah well, I think my interview was less well prepared than everything else because I had stressed so much about all the other tasks (4 in total 
) and therefore I probably wasn’t as polished so didn’t convince the head. I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason and so will Wallow quietly for one more day and then pull myself together I’ve got a kids birthday party to go to this pm, but then nice things tomorrow with lovely friends so that should cheer me up. Thank you everyone!
Superpug - fully agree, had one interview (I pulled out!) That had a number of different tasks including having all candidates work together to save an island from sinking
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