to want DP to let me go on this course?

[Desperateretrainedmumof3]

I retrained nearly 2 years ago but haven't got a job. We're really struggling with money, we could even lose the house.

Anyway there's a course which teaches you how to get interviews for the field I retrained in, it costs £50 and is based in London (we don't live in London so travel costs but a return train is £20 then tube costs so maybe £80 total?

DP says its snake oil, taking advantage of people's misery, but it's totally legitimate. I feel so unsupported by DP. AIBU?

[Juno77]

You don't need 2 cars or childcare. Work at night.

Don't feel shit, no one thinks you are lazy. But it looks like it's been going on too long.

[Ullapull]

I agree with a previous poster that it's all about networking (okay I hate that word too!) but you need to get out to your local schools, volunteer, supply teaching, get involved and they will recognise you when it comes to interview. If you've qualified and done no teaching at all in 2 years that looks bad, you need to do the small jobs to get the big job. Sorry you're in this situation OP, do take the advice you can get from MN, TES, and do you have friends who are teachers? Meet up to chat work!

[WhoNickedMyName]

Are you actually getting to interview? What kind of feedback are you getting?

You are desperate and convinced that you'll do the course and then get a job. I'm inclined to agree with your DP.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

If you pm me your cv I will happily take a look.

[Strictly1]

I agree with oakmaiden. We have appointed several teachers who we had employed for supply initially and they have all been great - much better than interviewing. Heads also ring round to see if anyone has had a good supply teacher if a teacher resigns close to the resignation date and there is no time to advertise etc.

[superram]

You are not getting interviews or the job because you lack recent experience. Catch 22 I know, when it comes to childcare but you need to do one day a week in a school. The course won't help your lack of experience.

[cricketballs]

there is a poster called TheoGriff on the TES site that is an expert in recruitment; search through his numerous posts for info.

Have you had many interviews or is it your letter that needs to be improved? I agree with others, a lot of schools will give you feedback on your application. One thing that is vital is that you write your letter with the job description, person spec and the school info at the forefront. Read carefully the information about the role and structure your letter to this.

The same goes for interview - if this is where you are failing then again, ask for feedback. You need to ensure that in the lesson; no matter how short the time period, you have the basic elements within it - i.e. starter, mini plenary, independent learning etc, etc. During the interview, ensure that you have done your research on the school; the OFSTED, the results, the area in which it serves etc.

If you haven't had any experience for a while, then offer to volunteer in local schools to ensure that you remain upto date and can offer something more on your CV

I do agree with your DP - the course is not worth it given your circumstances especially when there is so much help, advice and support on line

[YoullNeedATray]

If you're using TES... are you following every word of Theo Griff's advice on the Jobseekers forum? The advice really does work, and it's all there for free. Visit the school, tailor the application to fit every time, create the executive summary that matches that job's Person Spec... takes hours and hours, but it does work.

My hit-rate as a new PGCE completer - 7 applications, 3 interviews, 1 job. Then on completion of that temp contract, 2 applications, 2 invitations to interview, offered the job at the first one. I'm nothing particularly special - it was the tailoring of the applications that made me stand out.

Theo Griff rules!

[CharlesRyder]

Is it the thing that Theogriff from the TES forum does by any chance? I don't think they would tell you anything you couldn't read in a book TBH.

That said my DH went on a 'How to break into SLT' type course (not the Theogriff one) and did find it useful.

Are you on supply? Could you get a job as a TA? Do you have time to volunteer as a TA? I think it is the way forward (as said above) to get yourself into schools and noticed.

Or move to my LEA. We can't get staff for love nor money (literally).

[YoullNeedATray]

x-post with Cricketballs!

[CharlesRyder]

If you need to go on a course to be told to tailor you application to the person spec I would be a bit

[AnUnearthlyChild]

I know little about teaching, but quite a bit about goal setting and attaining goals.

I also know mumsnetters. I think the best thing would be to tap into the wealth of info we can provide for free. Look at it this way. You could try the advice you get here, take up the offers of assistance. Give it a few months. If the power of mn can't help, then try the course.

I dint think you are lazy. Just demoralised. It's shit I've been there. I think you will,get benefit from thinking outside the box a little. Tutoring on an evening is a good one IMHO. Even if you just do enough to pay for the course and the travel. It would be a start.

[missmapp]

Can you do any voluntary work in local schools - or do some supply and see if anything permanent comes from it?

I am a teacher and senior manager and we have found our last few class teachers from people known to the school- previous supply teachers. I understand what you are saying about child care for supply, but could you use breakfast/afterschool clubs on an adhoc basis?

A friend of mine put a cover letter and copy of her cv around all the local schools and waited- she had supply work quite soon and one school then offered her a permanent contract- may be worht a shot.

[Nojustalurker]

If you qualified to teach at a local uni then you will be able to access their careers service for support. Ask your uni tutors and old mentors to check your applications. Make sure you are tailoring your application to not just what they are looking for but also for the areas they need to improve in as identified in Ofsted.

Are you qualified for primary or secondary?

[Oakmaiden]

Thing is, Charles, it is all very well saying "tailor your application to the person spec, job description and school details" but I really find it hard to do effectively. When the person spec is a list of 25 desirable or essential traits, you can't possibly address them all effectively and still produce a document which is at all readable. Or at least, I can't. So I am left feeling that my applications are really letting me down.

That said, I am not a prolific applier - I only apply for jobs I really want. So maybe 15 in all in the past 6 months. And of them, I have since discovered that around 80% went to someone who already had a connection with the school.

[merryxmasyafilthyanimal]

I'm going to buck the trend and say helpful advice from friends, family and MN was no match for an interview course I did a while ago (not teaching). Really helped me.

Good luck OP

[SilverApples]

Oakmaiden, that's where the latest OFSTED comes in handy, with the action points. Or getting a look at the school action plan.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

To put it bluntly OP you sound lacking in common sense. All the dodgy courses in the world won't help you with that. If you're willing to pay for that, why not listen to the good advice you're getting for free on here.

[Desperateretrainedmumof3]

It is the course theo griff offers I want to go on, I have obviously followed the advice that is free and got nowhere.

DCs are 7, 5 and 2.

I was working evenings but its seasonal work.

It's teaching, haven't got a CV, you fill in application forms.

[Desperateretrainedmumof3]

It isn't dodgy and the only good advice I've had on here is 'get a job' which I've tried to do.

[SilverApples]

Then how are you going to afford the money, if your finances are so restricted that £80 is a deal-breaker?
Can you ebay stuff, borrow from a relative?

[Oakmaiden]

I know - and then it is EVEN MORE info to try to include. ?I find it really hard to do effectively - although I do rewrite my statement for every single application.

That is why it is so disheartening when you put hours of work into it and find that you never really had a chance anyway. I have a friend who applied for a job a couple of hours away for home. She was invited to an interview and to take some written style tests. Was then invited back to teach a lesson. Was then invited back for a final interview. And was then told they already had someone lined up for the job, but she was their second choice. If they hadn't had someone already in mind she would have got it.

So disheartening.

[alistron1]

The course won't help you. Classroom experience will. If I were you I'd be thinking about arranging 1 day a week/fortnight/month childcare so that you can do a bit of supply. Once you get going your bookings will increase AND you'll be able to afford more childcare.

You might get a long term booking, you might get a permanent role.

I'm not a teacher but am involved in school recruitment. DM me if you want any pointers or advice - I'm free ;)

[TheArticFunky]

That is very ungrateful Desperate.

Some of posters on this thread are giving you very good advice.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

oakmaiden - that's where visiting the school before applying comes in useful. If you ask the right questions then you can find out what their priorities are and tailor your application accordingly. The 'letter from the head' if there is one will also help work out the school ethos so that you can refer to that in the application. The 25 things you mention can be covered in the cv and covering letter - you just highlight the most important ones in your letter.