i applied for my first every job after enormous parental leave and got rejected, can you help me work out why? Or can I ask?

[ernesttheBavarian]

I posted about applying for this job yesterday.

Anyway, a brand new school will be opening in September in Munich. I visited the school on Saturday and know that many positions are still emty.

I applied last night. Spent hours and hours on it. And got rejected today. The email said all the positions in my area of expertise are already filled. Which I know isn't true. So it's my application that's wrong. So how do I do about finding out what's wrong so I don't keep making the same mistake?

I am really gutted. First because it sounded like a great opportunity, but second because I was excited about getting back to work, and felt I had submitted a good application and given that I am a UK trained teacher living nearby I thought stupidly I would be an attractive propostition for them. Clearly not.

Is it ok to ask why (But this basically say I don't believe what they wrote (that the positions are already filled)) and if not, how to I work out what I've done wrong and how I can improve?

Am gutted :(

International schools are very hard to break into. Most require at least two years of experience and prefer experience of international schools. If you look at a typical teacher body, many have moved around the world every few years on contracts.

Obviously, they were all new to the system at one point, so there is hope.

You might have more success applying for a sub/supply/cover position.

Good luck.

Ring and ask. I doubt they'll mind. Be chatty and mildly assertive. Depending on how the conversation goes, ask if you could be considered for supply work.

Yes do ring and ask. They could be deluged with applications & what you got sounds like an auto-reply.

There's certainly nothing wrong with calling/emailing and asking for 'feedback'. Most schools are prepared and ready to provide that and it would help you with the next application.

Can I be blunt? Did you get someone to proof read your application? There are a few mistakes in your OP. Any chance there were any in what you sent to the school?

I am wondering how you know that all the positions have been filled? Have they re-advertised?

Secondly thinking about what you are offering, how long have you been out of the classroom? I know as an HOD I would be twitchy about someone who had not been in a classroom for two years let alone longer.

I second trying to get supply/cover work there so they get to know you. Three or four teachers at my international school have got jobs this way.

You said that you were a secondary MFL teacher who hasn't used your MFL for a long time, so what post did you apply for? How long ago was your last FT job in the classroom?

thanks for your 'feedback'. I did have it checked, but then I also took a lot mare care over the application than I did over a post on MN :)

Actually, I applied to be a teaching assistant with a view to gaining enough experience to make the transition to primary teaching. I discussed this with the head teacher first and he encouraged me to send in my cv along with that proposal. He said it sounded like a good idea. I know there are still posts available as he told me so verbally, and the posts are still being advertised.

Being not in UK, I can't work in a state school, so my only possible openings are in IS, and there's only a couple of those, so I am pretty limited. Am starting to feel very :( (worried) about any chance of future employment.

I don't think HT making encouraging noises can be interpreted as a job in the bag, especially as he hadn't seen your cv at that point.

Something on the cv has put you out of the running. If you would like some constructive help you will have to post more details. Which country did your qualifications come from, how much experience do you have, when did you last teach and in what sort of school and to which age groups would be a start.

Surely you did not expect to get the first job you applied to?

You are probably very good, but there is a good chance there might be someone better.

Asking why you didn't get it is a very sensible idea

Many teachers apply for 50+ jobs in the quest for the one that suits them, especially in the International curcuit where there maybe more than a hundred applicants for each position. (depending on subject/level)

Keep trying, you'll get there.

Good Luck

No, of course, I didn't expect (but obviously hoped I stood a good chance, what with them needing so many teachers rather than only 1 post being offered) but I was naturally disappointed.

My main reason for posting however, was to get advice or suggestions on finding out why I was unsuccessful. Hence "Is it ok to ask why (But this basically say I don't believe what they wrote (that the positions are already filled)) and if not, how to I work out what I've done wrong and how I can improve?"

Can you word it differently then? 'Thank
you for considering my application. Are you able to give me any feedback that may help as I continue my job search?'

I think what Yoni suggests is the way forward. Ask for feedback as to why you did not get offered an interview. However, they may not give this as I know my Headteacher only gives feedback to people she has interviewed but have not been successful. If you don't ask you will never know. Keep looking and good luck.