Can anyone help?

[user00890]

Does anyone in HR / SLT know how many candidates are typically shortlisted for interview?

[LartenCrepsley]

I don’t think there really is a typical number of candidates. It all depends on how many applicants there are and how many of them are suitable for the role. My school shortlisted three applicants for the most recent vacancy (from four applicants in total, and we only interviewed one in the end as two withdrew), but a vacancy three years ago had about twenty applications and six were interviewed.

[PurpleDaisies]

It totally depends.

Why do you ask?

[anotherangel2]

Typically our school short lists 4 to 6 but if there is 6 then some would be spent Home at lunch time. Obviously if there were only 2 or 3 suitable candidates then they would only interview 2 or 3.

It all depends on the suitability if the candidates.

[BingTheButterflySlayer]

Seems to depend. 4ish for a standard interview job seems to be about the norm... but then when you get onto these epic reality TV-esque all day debacles where they want to whittle you down doing a lunchtime eviction and seeing who passes the bushtucker trial (sorry - can you tell my opinion on these kind of interviews) anything seems to go.

[MummySparkle]

4-6 in my school depending on the calibre of applications. Quite often a few will be sent home part way through the day and only 2 or 3 called back for interviews later on

[user00890]

Thanks. I've been shortlisted for interview for a primary class teacher next week. I'm not an nqt but just wondered how much competition I'm likely to face at this stage of the academic year. Thanks for your responses.

[MummySparkle]

For a September start? Probably quite a lot would have been considering a move. So the face that you've got an interview is a really good sign. Good luck, and let us know how it goes

[SureIusedtobetaller]

The last notice date was ages ago for Sept so most teachers will have got a new job if doing so. You might be up against nqts but there won’t be many looking now.
Also depends where you are. In my area several schools can’t recruit for Sept and are short. People just don’t want to teach.

[user109842]

That's what I'm afraid of - cheap nqts

[SureIusedtobetaller]

It is really hard to recruit though- main scale posts only getting one applicant etc so think positive! Fingers crossed for you.

[wibblywobblyfish]

I agree with 4-6. We generally do a formal interview, teaching session, lunch with whole dept and other candidates, chat with HOD and a tour. You can't physically see any more candidates than that in a day in my experience.

[user109842]

Unless they interview over a few days wibbly? I've been told I'll be there 2.5 hours.

[MummySparkle]

Doh! Of course it has. Can you tell I'm support staff?!

We've struggled recruiting for some posts this year. Had to advertise 3 times for a DT teacher, first time there was nobody worth interviewing and the second time the guy turned up wearing the ugliest fair isle sweater-vest you've ever seen! I wasn't in his lesson, but it was very obvious during the department lunch that he was not the right person.

Oh and my school HOD always sets a task for candidates. Our last one they had 45mins to mark a GCSE sketchbook. Then there was a tour an 'informal chat' with the HOD and a 30min lesson. We are known for having a really intense interview process though

[StruggsToFunc]

The good NQTs have had jobs for months. I’m sure you’re in with a good shot, OP.

[user109842]

Wish me luck guys

[MummySparkle]

Sending you lots of luck - you've got this!

[user109842]

I got it

[CarpeVitam]

Well done you!

[SureIusedtobetaller]

Fantastic! Well done.

[MummySparkle]

Woohoo! Well done you

How many others were there in the end?

[user109842]

Sparkle I actually have no idea but I don't care now