Applying for jobs you're over-qualified for.

[npopa]

I am a fully-qualified early years teacher. However, I can't find a permanent job.

A local nursery is looking for a nursery assistant. I would love to apply.
Of course the pay is not the best in the world but I love working with children and i've been out of the classroom since March.

The only thing putting me of applying is that my CV has qualified teacher experiences on there that I don't even think they'd give me a glance

Btw I am 25 years old

Nope, YANBU!
I work in IT where certain techie skills are required and although I am experienced I probably met about 2 out of the 10 job requirements for my current job - I think I was going through a period where I was fed up with job hunting so was applying for everything and anything - needless to say, I got an interview for something I was 100% unqualified for and got the job! I've been there a year now and things are going well. So you never know unless you try and what's the worst that can happen??

Oops misread the post, thought I read under-qualified as opposed to overqualified! Well conversely to that, during the same job hunting period, I got an offer for a job that I was definitely overqualified for and I turned it down because I just felt like all my efforts in education would be a waste. But obviously I then got a much better job that I mentioned above. Only problem is with COVID, things are much different so really it's up to you to make that decision. A lower salary is better than no salary!

Go for it?

The worst they can say is you’re over qualified but if they really like you they may take a chance

The problem is that when they know your over qualified it's not going to be a long term job for you. They'll think that as soon as you get another teaching job you'll be away which surely is true. Not sure how you overcome that though.

I think people are doing this a lot at the moment. I've gone for same level jobs I match the person spec for exactly and not been shortlisted because so many people are applying down.

So I'd definitely apply but I think it could be complicated because you'd have a different ratio because of your qualification and you could get taken advantage of and arguably you could know a lot more than your manager which could be awkward.

Good luck

Thanks everyone,
It's very local to me about five minutes away.
There are various things putting me off though

1. the qualified teacher status. But not in a snobby "I'm better than this way" as I just want to be back working with children. But in a "is there a point?" way

2. lots of the females who work there I used to go to school with or I know of and I find they're quite a cliquey group and were part of a certain crowd in school. I know it probably sounds silly but, perhaps, i'm a bit intimidated also?

A friend of mine was totally burnt out with teaching and applied for a basic job in a pre school and after school setting (pre Covid) she absolutely loved it, the setting were overjoyed with the extra benefit she brings. The parents seem to adore her according to their Facebook page. She has had to find some other sources of income to top up though, I have never seen her so happy.

for me it would depend how much effort it is to apply (and whether there are a lot of opportunities at the moment. Your OP suggests not though)

If it's relatively quick and simple to apply or you have the free time then you've lost very little, even if they don't employ you.

You could also give them a call before hand to ask about the role and say that you're really keen because it's so close and you're keen to get back to working with children. They are less likely to immediately dismiss you if they've heard you talk.

Could there be a chance to move up internally if you got it? It could be worthwhile to them if they know they could 'use you' in the future as a room leader/manager/teacher either temporarily or as a promotion. The ratios for 3 year old (I think) are higher if there's a qualified teacher, which is situationally useful

I work as an unqualified nursery assistant - my company would definitely take you on!

I've done this exact thing and got the job.

My reason was because I fell out of love with teaching and couldn't cope with the 70 hours I seemed to be putting in each week.

I was honest and told them that, said I loved working with the kids but not the rest of it. I said I was looking for a long term position and they were happy to have me.

I think the problem with being over qualified is they think you may be a flight risk but if you let them know it's not the case then they'd be idiots to not take on a fully qualified teacher.

A lot of teaching assistants are actually qualified teachers, and do the job because it’s less stressful and no planning and they can go home at home time.

Several of the teaching assistants at my DDs school are teachers. They found teaching too stressful and decided they wanted to be able to leave school at the end of the school day.

Thanks everyone for the comments, i might send my CV anyway :)
Tbh I don't have that passion for teaching I thought I did so I would see this as a long-'term thing

I did this as I wanted something to fit around family life, it is ok but the downside is that I sometimes feel patronised by senior staff that are not as qualified as me or as experienced in the world of work.

What I mean by that is that due to experience and qualifications I am more than capable and a self starter.