Interview for SEN learning coach position. Haven't heard anything yet. Need a debrief.

[mrsnec]

I previously posted a thread on here that I was thinking of becoming a TA. After some advice I came to the conclusion I would be better off looking at secondary. I saw the above position at the local secondary and I applied.

Despite problems with my documentation I have jumped through hoops to get what they need.

I've interviewed, I've followed up and I've heard nothing.

I've seen the position re-advertised from the day I interviewed and I know my referees haven't been contacted so I'm preparing myself for the worst and trying to figure out what went wrong.

I've gone through everything in my head and the only question I stumbled on was about data protection. I felt I gave the right answers to a point but when they pressed me it turned out they wanted a more elaborate response regarding social media. Facebook in particular a local group. It turned out a member of staff had been sacked for posting something negative on there. I just said I was familiar with it, read it ocassionally but never post on there. I still feel like they were looking for more and were a bit paranoid and it seems a bit petty in the grand scheme of things.

So can anyone help me, is there still hope?

If not could that question be where I went wrong?

What is the normal schedule within these roles between applications and recruitment?

Bump. Can anyone help me with this?

Most people would be able to forget about it but I can't stop thinking about it and I've had a lot of rejection on the job front recently that I'm finding quite hard to deal with.

When was the interview? I would chase them again on Tuesday. Regardless of whether you were successful or not they have to get in touch and tell you, and also it not successful they really should provide you with feedback as to the reason why. I don't work in schools but when I've previously been recruiting, one of the reasons it takes a while to get back to someone is because they offer it to the person that's successful first and wait for them to accept before telling others they weren't successful. Then if the first choice turns down the position it's offered to the next. (Not saying this is the case in your situation, just what I've experienced before on the recruiting side!)

@gentlemum it was last Tuesday. They told me they were interviewing again on Thursday and would make a decision then and let me know straight away.

The job turned out to be different from how I imagined. But in a good way, I thought I'd be working with one student but it turns out it doesn't work that way. They asked me if I had areas of expertise and would I like to specialise in any particular subjects. When I told them what areas my skills were in they seemed very pleased and said it's hard to recruit in those areas.

I came out of the interview thinking I'd done well and cracked on sorting out the issues with my documentation. (They want originals of my qualifications including GCSEs) I've never even seen them let alone needed them before.

Anyway neither my college, university, UCAS and NVQ provider could verify my studies.

But I'd since found out I can get my GCSE certificates so I emailed thanking them for thier time and saying that its easier than I expected to get my certificates with a shorter lead time than expected and would they like me to go ahead and order them to be sent straight to HR.

I sent that on Thursday evening.

I was interviewed by SENCOs not any teaching staff. I didn't even meet any teaching staff so even though they told me they were working on the strike day but the teachers weren't I was still surprised they were conducting interviews on strike day.

Also, for information it's a chain of schools run by a trust so my point of contact has been with the HR department of the Trust.

Try not to overthink it. If they were interviewing again on Thursday that only leaves one day before the long weekend to make a decision so there's still plenty of time for them to get back to you. Strange they want all that documentation's, maybe that's standard practice for schools? It definitely sounds like the interview went well and you got some positive responses from them so have faith and I'm sure they'll be in touch this weekend 😊

Week I mean!

@gentlemum Thanks so much for the reassurance.

The thing is I put more effort into this position than any job application I've ever done. And I've done a lot!

I'm just questioning if it was all a bit over the top and if I need to go to such lengths in the future.

So not only did they want those documents they also wanted to clear all my references before my interview and because I'm under the re-start return to work scheme they had suggested that I complete two online certificates prior to my interview.

The interview preparation took up so much time and was such short notice that I missed out on other interviews.

So whilst I know I'm overthinking I'd like to have a plan going forward. Also if I do need to chase again is it better to do it by phone or email?

@mrsnec sounds like you put so much work into this and I'm sure that shows to them. If it was me personally, I would leave it on Tuesday and give them the chance to get back to you and if you haven't heard by Wednesday morning send an email and if no response by Thursday morning a phone call. That's just what I would do though! 🙂

Just trying to prepare myself mentally for yet more rejection I suppose. And I'm starting to regret putting in the effort. One of the interviews I turned down was twice the salary and none of the grief!

I decided I couldn't take not knowing any more so I phoned HR this morning.

They said the school should have contacted me directly and that he hadn't been informed of a decision and was going to chase them.

He said I shouldn't be worried that my referees hadn't been contacted and that he hadn't passed on the information regarding my documents, or replied he just put a copy in my file!

So, still none the wiser! And have started looking at other options.

But, side note, if schools are so desperate to fill these positions, why is it so hard to get them!