My Science Teacher Job Application Woes!

[user1497126393]

This is more to rant as use that as therapy more than anything but I am so frustrated and feel completely injusticed here!

I am applying via MANY agencies for a Science Teacher job in time for September this year and still looking/asking/hounding YET last year, last week; I hardly applied at all and got an interview and a job as a Science Teacher like that clicks fingers....yet this year DIDDLY SQUAT!!

I mean what the hell?!
I know i'm technically unqualified as I don't have the teacher training qualification but I DID try, last year and the year before! but guess what.....I was giving the choice of doing that (as I got in to the TT course) or JOB as a Teacher....of course I picked Teaching Job!!

I may not have teacher training (TT) but what I DO HAVE is a Bachelors and a Masters degree in the hard sciences and a handful of years experience in Science teaching!! AS an ACTUAL Science Teacher!

So this year, I didn't bother with even applying for TT Training course and NO JOB!!, NO JOB INTERVIEW!!! NONE!!!!!!

FRUSTRATED ISN'T THE WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

This is my Cover Letter...that is my proof!

Not sure what response or whatever to get from this but, meh...i'm having a cup of tea now to chill out.

OBJECTIVE
“From the plethora of experiences and jobs I had gained, teaching is the much-desired choice and the career I feel passion for. I wish to continue dedicating myself to for years to come”.

EDUCATION
 7 GCSES
 GNVQ 1 and 2 + AVCE SCIENCES.
 BACHELOR OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
 MASTER OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY & TEACHING

*I had won award for my teaching in late 2013.
*Wrote a 16,000-word dissertation on the connection between Alzheimer's and Aluminium.
*Wrote a 33,000-word dissertation on "HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors and Hypercholestrolemia".
*Had taught as many as 44 participants.

linkedin.com/in/emily-t-bsc-hons-msc-4a07a327

July 2017

Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing for the Science Teacher vacancy.
I am interested in your educational institute as a Science Teacher.

I can offer 4 consecutive years of experience in teaching Sciences at KS3 +GCSE double/triple levels.
Successfully handled responsibilities of merit professionally executed, like: coordinating/marking of GCSE coursework; creating, teaching and coordinating a GCSE program and intensely worked with EBD students expelled for violence.

Keeps a cool head, eg: I needed to attend to ~300 anxious prospective students on enrolment day and rationally organized them into segregated queues.

I am also able to create detail-orientated lessons, delivered with raw innovation, passion and potency.
Thank you for reading this, enjoy my curriculum vitæ and visit my LinkedIn profile.

Then hopefully after further consideration perhaps you can ask me more in person, as I would be honoured to meet you.

Sincerely,
Emily.

[BizzyFizzy]

Having looked at the OP's LinkedIn profile, it does not present her in the best possible light. Clearly, she has a lot of strengths, but her profile has too many red herrings that let her down.

She has listed every little supply job, and that's too many in the context of LinkedIn. Her teaching career looks like it is spread over 5 years, which is a long time to get a foot in the door. You can't hide the 5 years, obviously, but it needs to be presented as deliberate career choice rather than going from one desperate job to another. I'm not saying this is an easy thing to do, but LinkedIn or a CV is a place where the applicant is in control, unlike the Application form, where the school is in control.

By grouping experiences into a couple of blocks, it looks like you are in more control of your career, with clear objectives of what you wanted to get out of each placement. It's also a convenient way to brush over gaps at this first impression stage (which you can't do later, but get them to like you first).

As a returner to the profession after a very long maternity leave, I did two years of supply/block supply and it was immensely useful to me - a huge amount of diverse experience in a short time and the ability to experiment with teaching styles. When a permanent job came up, I was able to successfully communicate these benefits at interview.

Another presentation problem for the OP is her abundance of inappropriate punctuation. While dyslexia is challenging, and there are plenty of dyslexic teachers around, you would be expected to have this kind of stuff checked by someone else.

[crazycatguy]

I teach and I've been part of the interview process from an employer perspective when I was HoD. I'm now SLT. A few pointers:

1. Make sure your CV is complete, has a short statement about you under the heading and emphasises the skills and experience you have. Any gaps in employment will be questioned at interview (this could be 'went traveling', 'raised daughter', 'cared for elderly relatives'.

1. Have a cover letter. Make it a page to a page and a bit long. Express yourself fully as you seem to have summarized in what you posted. In it you outline in full your experience, philosophy of teaching, what you can bring to the school. Include what extra curricular stuff you can do.

1. Update yourself on safeguarding legislation (and in your cover letter mention a commitment to it). You'll be asked a safeguarding question at interview.

1. It is a sad indictment of England's education system that in most schools now, a teaching qualification is NOT required and that one in four student experience teaching from someone without formal teaching qualifications. The independent sector has never been bound to employ people with a PGCE, and some of the best teaching I have ever seen has been in the independent sector (as has some of the worst teaching!).

1. Sciences in general are a shortage subject. In my local secondary it would appear that the only requirements to work there are a clean criminal record and a pulse. In my subject (which was never shortage) there are still vacancies on TES and a recruiter called me this morning about one at another school.

[MaisyPops]

That's unlike any cover letter I've seen for teaching.
Obviously you're not a qualified teacher and having a 1st from Cambridge wouldn't automatically make someone a great teacher (though there are some great unqualified teachers out there).

Teaching jobs often require an application form and then a full letter in paragraphs outlining your strengths ad a teacher and what you can offer the school. Often that'll include outcomes for your classes, details of CPD you've attended, anything whole school you've been involved in. You need to address the person specification clearly with examples. Most of the person specification will be linked to teaching competencies and skills, not just subject knowledge.

[BizzyFizzy]

I'd say that is quite likely, especially if it's a key stage 3 class where they have one Science teacher.

A lot of times, you just get the best class available, so if they are learning Biology, that's what you have to teach, even if the job is for a Physics specialist.

[BananaSandwichesEveryDay]

Also, in case OP is still reading, she needs to be aware that I'd she gets an interview and is asked to deliver a lesson, it may not be 'her' science. When DC was applying for science teacher posts, after pgce, a couple of the schools wanted DC to teach a lesson in one of the other two sciences. Their reasoning was that science teachers are expected to teach the while subject, not just their degree subject.

[BizzyFizzy]

I think the OP is gone now. I wrote her a long private message, which she hasn't replied to.

I basically said that she should address each part of the person specification in the job ad with her attributes or experience.

A speculative letter is most likely to go straight in the bin. Schools, even private ones, want you to use their application form.

[vplum88]

I am an experienced qualified teacher in a leadership position. That cover letter wouldn't impress me - it's very short. Mainly because it shows no understanding of current education reforms; teaching and learning strategy and innovation or passion for subject or profession. It would leave me thinking - why hasn't this person sought qualification?

I am sure every school would prefer a qualified teacher over an unqualified. We are a large challenging academy and the only unqualified staff we employ are teach first ITT.

I agree with PP- prioritise qualifying as it shows commitment to the profession... and the rest of your accolades will make you a good candidate I'm sure.

[Kez100]

My son found as he became an adult his difficulties as a child with dyslexia became advantages in certain working areas. He always uses it in applications to the positive saying what his dyslexia allows him to do. It means he declares the problem (which I'm not sure if you legally have to but he wants to) plus you show you can overcome, work around and see the positive in things.

[Kez100]

English (and Maths) are embedded across the curriculum so you will need to show excellent English in your application.

Also, as a past Governor, if someone was employed from this application, I would be expecting to see your example lesson "detail-orientated, delivered with raw innovation, passion and potency." Currently I don't know what that looks like but it might be evident in practice, however, if I didn't evidence it I would be asking for further explanation in interview, so be prepared to fully back up anything you say in a letter or CV.

[spaghettithrower]

You really need to get someone to help you with that cover letter. It is poorly written - sorry, but that's the truth. What about asking another teacher you have worked with in a previous post to look at it for you or look at the many examples online of appropriate letters?
A letter like that will simply be binned because it isn't up to scratch.

Secondly, I think you should look at ways of getting qualified.
www.educateteachertraining.co.uk/routes/
Look at this for various routes which may suit you better than a typical PGCE route.

I wish you well in your future career.

[Bobbiepin]

Also I forgot the mention that the majority of teaching vacancies for September are filled before the resignation deadline in May. If you are only looking now, you've left it very late.

[Bobbiepin]

Think about how that would be received from a school. Firstly schools use agencies as a last resort, they certainly are not the first place they look for teachers.

Secondly you are not qualified for the job, it simply does not matter how many degrees you have. Teaching is so much more than just subject knowledge, in fact that comes very far down the list. If teaching is what you want to do, there are many routes you can take. I do not walk into a hospital asking for job as a psychotherapist despite my degrees in psychology and counselling.

Thirdly you are not submitting an application in response to an actual vacancy. You are doing the equivalent of cold calling and your cover letter is likely to be thrown in the bin. If there is a job available, show you are able to follow procedure as you would be expected to in the job and apply how they want you to.

Are you presenting the best of yourself in that letter? I don't think so/hope not. An application is an opportunity to demonstrate how good you are at your job. If getting children to line up is the best you can do you're in for a tough time.

Finally I cannot stand it when people use learning difficulties as an excuse. I won't have my students do it, just as I didn't do it. You have challenges and you need to put in extra effort to overcome that. If you know your grammar is poor, spend more time proof reading or ask someone else to. Doing a bad job and blaming it on ASD or dyslexia or any other difficulty shows that you are not able to play to your strengths and you have a responsibility to your students to do just that. I echo what Pug said about keeping your cool. If you cannot do it with some strangers on the internet then how do you expect to do it with 30 children who care little about your feelings?

Finally, if you were "snapped up" into a job last year, why are you no longer in that job? Bouncing from job to job and school to school does not look good.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

Is English your second language? I only ask because I have taught for many years, and your writing style is more remniscent of the non-native speakers I have taught than the dyslexic native speakers.

Secondly, independent schools can be receptive to employing people without QTS provided that they can offer other skills and qualities which the school is looking for. So if you have spent many years in research, for example, an independent school may at least look at you. What kind of schools are you applying to?

[user1497126393]

Hello BizzyFizzy,

I sigh an absolute relief at your answers, as from the start; these ladies seemed to give criticism rather than much constructive criticism (which I did use in order to "tidy" that Cover Letter afterwards.....what the other didn't see is my CV which is cleaner, nicer and more pleasant to read!
Also- I am new to MumsNet and do not know how to PM you, I would be grateful to chat to you more; could you try to PM me instead?
As I would love to hear what you have to say.

[BizzyFizzy]

I think you have a lot to offer, and as a science teacher myself, know that there are opportunities out there for you.

I think there might be a presentation issue, so that is something you should attend to. It is also a problem that you are not a qualified teacher, but this is not a killer, as there are still options.

I am happy to help you out and I welcome you to send me a direct message.

[titchy]

OP the most important skill a teacher needs is good communication. Above all else, even subject knowledge.

If your communication skills are poor, as you admit, teaching is not for you.

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

Many successful teachers have ASD and/or dyslexia or other SEN. I teach many students who are what used to be termed (horrible phrase) 'high functioning'. That said, someone who struggles to communicate clearly may have issues in teaching. If you are serious about teaching please consider a teaching qualification. You will ultimately be paid more and will get more experienced at accepting criticism.

[cansu]

Whilst it is true that most require QTS, this isn't always the case. If the OP is in a shortage subject she may find a teaching post with the right application. As she has had jobs in the past then it is clearly possible. I have a colleague without QTS.

[SuperPug]

TES forums seconded here as well.
I also bought two excellent mini books on how to write a CV / cover letter many years ago. Look at as many examples as possible.
Go from a general job description - what is desirable / essential? How have you/ will you demonstrate this?
This year, I would apply for a job which is based in STEM education. This is a significant area being developed and would look great on an application.
Research PGCE programmes, schools offering training on the job. You generally need this if you want to progress later on.
It's a tough job where you can expect kids, parents etc. to really test you at times and you've got to keep your cool in these situations even if you're extremely frustrated.

[PurpleDaisies]

Most teaching posts will ask for a letter of application and either a CV or more usually an application form where you detail job history and qualifications.

Most teaching posts require QTS.

[cansu]

OK I think that what you need is someone to help you tailor your applications to the places you are applying to. I have applied for many teaching jobs and you need to talk about your experience in a much more detailed way and also put across some of your personality in your letter. Most teaching posts will ask for a letter of application and either a CV or more usually an application form where you detail job history and qualifications. I am sure you can find some examples somewhere on the net or maybe have a teacher friend who can help you? I have just googled TES and letters of application and found lots of resources which you could use to help you. Good luck. I am sure that once you get these things sorted you will get some interviews.

[SuperPug]

I hope that you will take this advice, in terms of how it is intended...
That isn't a cover letter. It's a very unclear mix between a letter and a CV. Many schools will ask for both. The cover letter has to be tailored to the school and the job. I'm afraid your sentences are not clear and I wouldn't look at that letter and consider short listing you - sorry. That doesn't mean that it can be made much better, considering your experience.
You really need to be qualified, even in independent schools which used to be more flexible with this. Many independent and state schools now take on PGCE pupils.
I'm not so familiar with this route but there is also GTP (that's what it is was called ten years ago anyway...). This is more "on the job" training and was perhaps more teaching focused than the PGCE.
I am qualified but from working with others who have been unqualified, this has sometimes been an issue in terms of career progression.
Your post comes across quite angry and I think you need to further research routes and ask for feedback which will probably state the above. I am also highly qualified but have certainly not been given every job I've applied for and it's better to move forward positively.

[user1497480444]

There are many teachers with ASD and /ordyslexia. That is nt in any way going to be a barrier. However, you still need to improve your English, it is currently no where near the required standard. Is it a second language?

[PurpleDaisies]

How exactly did you expect people to know you were autistic from your opening post?

It is absolutely ridiculous to expect to get a job as a science teacher when you are not a qualified teacher. I don't care how many "hard science" degrees you've got.