Admin assistant at s primary school..help!!!!

[Newstart142]

I am going to apply for an admin assistant post at a local primary school.... what are my changes of being called for interview.... i have years of call centre customer service experiance! I really need this job as it has the perfect hours and will fit in with the kids. I currently work in a call centre at a local housing association doing reception cover at times. What do u think would be good to mention in my supporting information on my application form?
Thanks for all your help in advance xx

Is there a job spec?
You need to hit all the targets in there and write your CV to reflect this
Write a covering letter with a can do attitude.

Teaching Assistants usually need to have the relevant NVQ T.A level qualifications OP. Does it say anything about this in the advert?

Don’t want to rain on your parade but these jobs are like gold dust as loads of people are in the exact same situation as you. Also there is often a person already in post or earmarked for the job but the local authority has to legally advertise it. Don’t take it too personally if you’re not successful.

Look at the job spec. These jobs are about so much more than just answering the phone. I would also advise double checking the hours, as our office staff work longer hours than the school day.

Make sure you mention you have a great understanding of safeguarding and the signs to look out for. Are you first aid trained or willing to learn? I'd mention it too as the children at our school are seen by the admin assistants when ill during lesson time (this isn't the case in all schools, but has been at two I have worked at).

Make sure your application is clear, concise, correctly spelled, and well formatted.

In your supporting statement, list all the essential criteria of the person specification as sub headings / bullet points, and say exactly how your experience meets each one. Do the same with as many of the desirable criteria as you can.

If you're copy pasting from your CV or other application forms, ensure that your employment history section picks out parts of your previous roles that are relevant - don't just list everything you've done in minute and repetitive detail.

Admin assistant is not the same as teaching assistant!
I have been an admin assistant in a primary school. I would emphasise your ability to multitask and deal with everyone from parents to governors to tradespeople.

Have they asked for anything specific ie knowledge of SIMS?

Is there a person specification? If so you need to go through that and make sure that your application form shows how you meet the criteria. Then do the same for any experience you have that relates to the job description. As others have said these jobs are like gold dust so don't be unduly upset if you don't get shortlisted or offered the job. Good luck.

If you’ve never worked in a school before your chances are very slim I’m afraid op. They will have a lot of applicants (we had over 100 apply for a receptionists job at our primary)

Soz op I thought you were going for a T.A position!

Teaching Assistants usually need to have the relevant NVQ

Lucky OP is going for an admin job then.

Teaching Assistants usually need to have the relevant NVQ

I know the OP isn't applying for a TA job but the ones I know often have degrees or are qualified teachers.

Brush up on safeguarding/gdpr. ESPECIALLY safeguarding. Mention any experience you have in dealing with confidential information. Definitely emphasise ability to deal with many different groups with differing needs. Don't talk about YOUR children or your experience as a parent of this is your child's school. Be ready to talk about how you will communicate with the senior management team/staff/parents etc as different groups. Have ready ideas of your ability to work with them using your own initiative. Speak clearly and politely, your telephone manner will be judged.

I recently got a primary admin job, no school experience, up against 4 other candidates who were already working in admin in other schools, so you DO have a chance.
I researched the school (head actually said he was impressed with the amount of research I had done) their ethos, who safeguarding lead is-safeguarding procedure etc. I had 2 tasks to do, a banking slip based one and a mail merge task. I also have a call centre and customer facing based background. Good luck.

You need to be very people friendly/ ability to multi task at the drop of the hat / good telephone manner. Very flexible. Very organised.

• Focus on what you can bring to the role and how your skills benefit the school, not why you need the job.

• Make sure your CV/ application form/ covering letter are all 100% accurate in terms of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

• Look at the person specification in the job advert, and format your application so that you clearly outline how your qualifications, experience and skills match those required in the person specification. Managers reading the applications will need to quickly see which applicants have the skills they need, so make it easy to match them up and tick them off.

• Outline your knowledge and experience of GDPR (which presumably you have developed in your current role).

• Outline your skills and knowledge in the safeguarding field- again, you may have experience of dealing with vulnerable members of the community in your current job.

• List any additional skills you may have which may not be asked for but could be relevant, e.g. experience of particular computing or office management systems.

• If you are called for interview, consider how you might respond in some common difficult situations, in case they want you to talk through how you would handle this (e.g. you witness something in your role which raises a safeguarding concern, or an angry and violent parent appears in the school office demanding to speak to a particular teacher).

Look at the JD and make a list in your cover letter with each essential experience and then shortly describe how you’ve done this i.e

• customer service experience - I have showcased excellent customer service within my past role. I can efficiently communicate through email, phone and face to face etc etc

Under no circumstances mention that the job is perfect for your childcare needs.

Our school office is open 08.00-16.00, have they told you the hours?

You have to match the job spec requirments to get shortlisted.

I would add that I am flexible, able.to prioritise tasks, good attention to detail.

I usually look at other job adverts for the same role and use that as a guide, if I think it will help.

Do you know the exact hours you will be working as probably will be longer than normal school hours?

Don’t forget to cover all the years since school and explain any gaps. If there are any unexplained gaps they may reject your application (safer recruitment).

I have been there and done this. Be prepared for it to be the hardest job of your life. Schools are the most child-unfriendly employers you will ever encounter.

Look at the job spec an dsse how your experience fits everthing they ask for. Most adverts will have an essential list of skills and desirable. Make sure your application demonstrates how you meet all the essential skills and as many desirable as you can.
Good luck

I went for a job as Admin

700 other women went for the same job

Unless you’re the best if the best. No point for me.

However I always say give it a go!

I don't understand the voting on this one and I think it's best to be realistic.

If you don't know what to put on the form for what is going to be a job with a very large number of applicants it's very unlikely surely that you would get an interview.

I'm not saying don't apply but maybe keep your expectations on the low side