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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Job interview for School Admin assistant. Please help me get this job!

65 replies

farewellfigure · 13/05/2015 12:05

AIBU to be absolutely terrified? This will be my first job interview in 17 years. I really badly want it. I've done some research into the school's policies, safeguarding, bullying etc. I've also thought about things like confidentiality (I'm friendly with a lot of the mums). What else do you think is likely to come up? Are there any admin assistants out there who can tell me what their job entails? Are there any curve balls the interviewers might throw at me?

HELP!

OP posts:
Lovecat · 13/05/2015 20:43

I was asked at interview what I saw the role of the school office as - which I answered (having been coached by a teacher friend) by saying that we were the front line between parents and teaching staff,and our job was to free the teachers to get on with the job of teaching - the head really liked that.

Also how was I at coping with conflicting priorities - the scenario a pp gave about bleeding children and being on your own in the office is not too far from reality! - as you will find yourself pulled in all directions by parents, children, teachers, the Head , SLT , the governors, pta, local residents...

A simple job like writing a letter can take all day between sorting out missing lunchboxes, calling parents to collect sick children, giving out stationery, telling parents that NO, the nursery place offer letters are not going out yet (10 calls a day atm!), dealing with children who've left their coat in the playground and it's your fault they can't find it, getting the caretaker to mend the mysterious leak in the boy's toilets... you get the picture?Grin

Good luck!

TheDailyWail · 13/05/2015 20:53

I think you've done a lot of research - brilliant!
SIMS really is easy to learn - you'll have an online manual. There are courses you can go on but you will master the basics very quickly.

Good luck!

Original poster
farewellfigure · 13/05/2015 21:55

Thank you so much to those last few posters. Invaluable advice. I will read them again when I'm on the computer and take notes! I'm on my phone at the moment. I am so grateful and feel you all rooting for me!

OP posts:
Fairyliz · 13/05/2015 22:00

My advice don't go to the interview! I work in school admin and every single person I know works hours and hours more than they are paid. They get shouted at by parents, unsupported by SLT and looked down upon by teachers (even though most of them have loafs more qualifications than the teachers)
Sorry!

Zippidydoodah · 13/05/2015 22:42

Hmm, useful post from fairy liz! Hmm

All jobs have their downsides.

Good luck, op; you have some great advice here. I'm a teacher and in addition to the above, I'd say you need to be able to cope with a million and one interruptions!

DarthVadersTailor · 13/05/2015 22:48

Perhaps your experience wasn't great Fairyliz but why on earth would you try to put someone off their 1st interview in years? Not exactly encouraging or helpful advice....

Jojay · 13/05/2015 22:50

That's not my experience at all Fairyliz. I guess all schools are different but I do my contracted hours and only a little more on the odd occasion, and feel valued by everyone. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Op, in my interview I had to proof read some text for errors, send an email, do some typing. They set someone up to phone and I had to take some details from them.

I was interviewed by 3 governors and not the Head. They asked about managing a busy workload, prioritising. I came from a customer service background and they liked that. Talked about safeguarding and child protection.

Good luck, its a busy job but great fun.

Justusemyname · 14/05/2015 07:54

Fairyliz why don't you quit the job you hate so much and let someone who actually wants it and would enjoy it have it?Hmm

RiskManagement · 14/05/2015 08:03

In any job Fairyliz, you can end up working extra hours if you don't manage it properly, but it's really not hard to say this is what I'm prepared to give and call that it. Especially if you have no affection or respect for the leadership....

I know Business Managers who work over, but that's an entirely different job. I don't know any admin officers who do, unless they want to.

Good luck OP. There are certainly days when you wonder why you do it, but that's because you're dealing with the public. Mostly it's a great job and although school office ladies do sometimes like to tell you how hard it is, TBH if you've had a similar role in the private sector, you won't feel you're over worked in this one.

Pantone363 · 14/05/2015 08:11

Good luck OP!

Sorehead · 14/05/2015 08:21

Good luck!

Generic interview advice but I always accept the offer of/ ask for a glass of water. Having a sip of it can buy a few seconds to organise an answer without you feeling like it's a long pause. Also stops you from getting a dry mouth!

happystory · 14/05/2015 08:35

Good luck, op. You have lots of helpful advice on here. I know how scary a job interview is after many years out of the workforce. I have had a few school based interviews ( not teaching) and in every one the focus has been on safeguarding, team working, partnership with parents. Make sure you turn up in good time ....

londonrach · 14/05/2015 09:40

Good luck x

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 14/05/2015 10:42

This is your first interview in 17 years. You're bound to be very nerveous.
But remember a good interviewer will take nerves into account.
I know if I had to interview someone I'd choose done one nerves and eager to please than someone who was too cock sure if themselves.
Firstly when you're invited into the room.
Smile and shake their hand.
Also be very nice to all other staff you come into contact with as well ie receptionist ect. As they may also be asked their opinion of you. You never know.
When answering questions... Answer with enthusiasm and interest with full answers not just yes and no.
Look them in the eye.
If you are asked something you don't understand. Don't panic, and whatever you do don't waffle your way out of it. Just be assertive polite and honest and say. I'm sorry I don't know or I don't understand the question.
They'll appreciate your honesty.
If they say do you have any questions.
Ask about training opportunities and progression opportunities.
At the end of the interview thank them for inviting you for interview.
Obviously goes without saying dress smartly with minimal jewellery and make up
Remember you hSvd been invited to interview because they believe in you.
Good luck

IPokeBadgers · 14/05/2015 11:24

With regard to SIMS, yes be honest and say you havent used it but that you would expect and be happy to do training on it. If you were able to throw in a couple of examples to show that you know what SIMS does, that might be helpful/show you have done your homework.

For example:

SIMS is used to hold details of each pupil and their family circumstances, to monitor pupil attendance, hold details of any special education needs or medical issues, if a child is entitled to free school meals or if there are any existing welfare issues [eg if a child is in care]

Parental consents can be recorded in SIMS eg if the pupils image is allowed to be used in school publications, permission for the school nurse to give paracetamol or an antacid for a stomach upset.

Staff use SIMS to mark the roll/share information like the school diary

Original poster
farewellfigure · 15/05/2015 13:26

Well I've had the interview. It went well I think. If I hadn't known about safeguarding I would have been TOTALLY screwed. They asked me a lot of questions about what I would do in different scenarios and I think I answered them OK. I also talked about confidentiality and gave them an example of when I was particularly good at keeping my mouth shut. And the two tasks (letter writing and in-tray) were fairly straightforward, although the in-tray one probably could have had several right answers. They said they will let me know today (I assume after 4 when the school will be nice and peaceful). So I'm sat here chewing my arms off in frustration, dread, hope, an agony of waiting. I'm not sure I'll be able to do the school run without collapsing in a heap.

Oh I saw the candidate after me. She was about 26. I'm 43. She made me feel about 100.

OP posts:
londonrach · 15/05/2015 13:28

Fingers crossed for you op x

Ataraxy · 15/05/2015 14:00

Best of luck.

Original poster
farewellfigure · 15/05/2015 14:02

She rang. I'VE GOT THE JOB. Oh my goodness I am SO excited I could explode. YIPPEEEEE. Thank you to every one of you who replied with ideas and support. Honestly there were ideas that I wrote down and pretty much learned last night. Mumsnet is a wonderful wonderful place.

OP posts:
Smoorikins · 15/05/2015 14:20

Wow, they called you incredibly quickly after (what must have been) their last candidate left - it must have been unanimous, well done!!

Smoorikins · 15/05/2015 14:22

(ignore me - I'm assuming you posted soon after the interview, it might have been first thing - well done anyway!!)

Pippa12 · 15/05/2015 14:35

Congratulations! That's great- well done you!!! X

fastdaytears · 15/05/2015 14:37

So many congratulations! Hope you're going to celebrate!

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 15/05/2015 14:39

Brilliant news. Very please for you. Well done.
Hope you are very happy in your new exciting role.

mumofthemonsters808 · 15/05/2015 14:43

OMG well done you, congratulations, thrilled for you.