Not sure what happened with this job?

[Onthelastsplash]

Through a supply agency, role was in a school.
Was told it would be until the end of the year (late July) covering long term sickness leave. They didn't know if she would ever be back.

I went, tried my best with it for a couple of days. It's a pastoral based role. A few days into the week, another agency worker turned up and there would now be 2 of us doing the role together.
I hadn't known there would be two of us, but the other agency worker was really good, could click very easily with the students and I guess the staff too, a lot more extroverted and outgoing than I, but I thought I could learn things from her and see how she managed to do it.
That said I didn't think I was doing a bad job, I did what was expected I thought.
The agency worker said she would only be in for 2 days on the first week back, then full time till July after that.
On Monday my supply agency called me to say that they didn't need me at the school anymore as the usual TA had returned from sick leave.
They then asked if I could work just 3 days that week but then wouldn't be needed thereafter.

I remembered that the other agency worker had said she could only do 2 days next week, maybe the 3 they asked me to do was to make up for that. Anyway I didn't see the message in time and suddenly the 3 days role was gone.

It's a shame but these things happen I guess. I don't know why they bothered setting me up with an email and everything. I'm sure the person did come back but I do feel like they decided to keep the other agency worker on instead of me, or maybe the week was some sort of trial to see which one of us would be better.

Not sure why I'm a bit down about this, there will be other roles. am I just overthinking?

I don't know why they needed 2 for that week If they only usually have one

Don't overthink it. Employers can't give everyone the job. You've probably done absolutely nothing wrong at all, sometimes it's down to the hiring managers personality etc. gelling better with other candidates. It probably was a trial, you're right, it does sound that way in hindsight. It doesn't mean you did a bad job, it just means they only have so many roles and someone has to be unsuccessful.

I was hiring for a role last year and I had two amazing candidates, I could only choose one. I still feel bad now! There was absolutely nothing wrong with the person I didn't select but I often hope they didn't think there was. You just cannot give everyone the job sadly.

Yeah you're right. It's just annoying when agencies tell you you've got a secure role until July when it likely is just a trial

It sounds like they didn't think the job suited you so they asked the agency if they could try someone else in the role as well. It then sounds like they thought the second person was a better fit for the role than you. If the long term sick person is likely to be off for a very long it's probably important to them to get the right cover. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, there will be other roles that suit you better.

The same thing happened to me a few years ago, I had a six month temporary contract as a receptionist. After five months they got a new temporary receptionist on a six month temporary contract, a month later, when my contact came to an end they said they didn't need me anymore. I was useless at the job though, the new girl was much better! I got another job as a waitress which I loved and was really good at.

Agency's will treat you like shit, they're only interested in getting money for themselves. If they hadn't filled the role with what the employer wanted they would have called another agency which would have lost your agency money.

Yeah maybe. The other agency person came in 3 days into the role, but she was hugging a leaving staff member by the Friday so obviously gelled very quickly, I mean fair play to her.

Part of me does wonder if the TA off sick really came back, seems convenient she suddenly came back the following Monday but maybe I'm wrong

Agree sadly agencies just want their commission. Next time they offer me a long term role I'll expect it to last a week

Just annoys me as I thought I was doing a good job. I know it's life but it's just disheartening when extroverts are favoured

Just annoys me as I thought I was doing a good job. I know it's life but it's just disheartening when extroverts are favoured

I thought I could learn things from her and see how she managed to do it.
I did interim work for years - many roles were extended, some cut short, others I gritted my teeth to get through to the end of the contract.
The downside is that the agency is in it solely for the commission and future work from client, the client wants the best person for the role to cover absence; no one is really that interested in your personal or career development. You often (not always) end up being well compensated for a role that is well within, or below your capacity, rather than a learning or developmental role.
The agency might genuinely have expected the role to last until July, then as PP suggests the client may have gone back to them because they didn't think that you were 100% right- who knows, if you have a good relationship with the consultant, ask them - but be diplomatic about it if you are looking towards this agency for future work.
Also bear in mind that because this one role didn't work out, it's unlikely to mean that the agency won't put you forward for other work.

School work can be tricky, you need to build relationships quickly and earn trust - you also have to have the confidence to take a class if required and be respected.

It’s hard. I’m currently training someone I don’t feel has these qualities or will take a long while to gain the skills.

Its not an easy job, maybe younger years would suit you better until you find your student?

Yes maybe the agency did expect the role to last until July. I did think it was odd there were 2 of us on (from the same agency) when there's apparently only 1 person doing this role normally.
It wasn't a classroom based role or related to behaviour at all, more admin tbh, they probably thought the other woman's personality suited better and maybe they'd get on better as colleagues or something. Ah well I'll try to not dwell on it

This was on my other username. I'm getting emails on that school account saying that the staff are so busy and struggling. So they'd rather struggle than have had me help out