To think that schools should allow two days to decide if you want to accept a job

[Reallytired]

I been to a job interview today for a job as an ICT technician. I did well at the technical interview. I have another interview on Friday.

The school has told me that if they offer me the job they will not let me wait until Friday to see if I get offered the other job.

Both jobs are similar, but the job that I am having the interview for on Friday is nearer to home. Is it best to take the bird in the hand or the one in the bush.

If I accepted the job that I was interviewed for today and then changed my mind I would be blacklisted by the council for future employment.

In the private sector employers often allow you a week to decide if you take the job.

I had a peculiar development. I been told by the network manager that I will have to wait until Friday to see whether I have got the job.

This is very strange after the head teacher told me that if I was offered the job, I would be offered it on the day and would have to accept or reject the job on the day, or else it showed a lack of commitment.

Prehaps they offered it to one of the other candidates who also might have an interview at the other school. I have no idea. Its weird.

Surely teachers must hate this system of forcing people to decide extremely swiftly if they want a job.

Teachers do get really frustrated with it, but it's always been like that so there's a sense of inevitability, I suppose. It's worse I think when people are applying for their first teaching job, so apply for loads and might have several interviews lined up in one week and sod's law dictates that the 'best' one isn't until the Friday.....
Sorry can't offer advice, but good luck!

As Posh says, this is universal standard practice in teaching jobs, and has been for many years. The last question at interview is always "If we offer you this job, would you accept it?", and after that you wait for the phone call later that day.

I think part of the problem is that schools usually use governors to interview, who are there in a voluntary capacity, and often have to take a day off work to take part in the interviewing process. Because of this they need to get everything decided that day.

It's a pain in the bum, especially if you have other interviews lined up. You have my sympathies. It is perfectly legal though.

That last question is a pretty stupid one really. It used to be standard practice in the NHS too, but as you would always answer "yes" it is pretty pointless, and I've not heard it asked for several years. No-one is going to say no unless the interview is so unpleasant they decide that here is no way they could work with their interviewers! Your point about govenors involvement is interesting, but it doesn't really hold true. The decision about who is appointable should indeed be made on the day by all interviewers, and a shortlist drawn up, but the rest is follow up and doesn't require the panel at all (usually the chair of the panel or the line manager does the follow up calls). In addition standard public sector HR advice is now that offers should not be made until you have copies of references, so the phone call should only be to ask if references may be taken up if they have not been given in advance.

Good luck for tomorrow, let us know what happens

How did your other interview go - are you sorted out now?