I really want this job....any sage advice?

[CatAndFiddle]

Hi, I am a career changer currently in the midst of a SCITT course. I have just applied for a job that I really want. I went to see the school and loved the atmosphere, the relationship between staff and students, the set-up of the department, and the friendly staff.

There are other jobs that I could be applying for during this half term break.......but I am fixated on this one job now! So, I intend to put everything into trying to get it (assuming I actually get an interview!). Any advice from those wiser/more experienced than I?

In my previous career I felt quite comfortable at interviews, and recruited my own team, so I should feel confident......but I am not!

Descriptions of teacher interview days seem like something out of The Hunger Games...all the candidates together, whittled down over the course of the day......gah! How can I be the last candidate standing?

To be honest you still should apply for other jobs.. don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Good luck

My advice? Don't even think about not applying for the other jobs. Get the applications sorted now. You have no idea what they're looking for - if there's an internal candidate they like you might not stand a chance. Maybe there's a second subject bias and they've looked at your a-levels and, all things being equal, know who they would prefer. Department of 6 women and 2 men (for example)? Maybe they want a man to even it up a bit. DofE co-ordinatior just resigned and other candidate has done it before? They're top of the pile.

Too many variables. Don't even consider making this your be all and end all.

Thanks. You're right, of course, I will persevere with the other applications.

Good luck to you OP! It's great that you've found somewhere you feel is right. Just make sure this shines through at interview!

Having interviewed yesterday, the Hunger Games analogy sounds familiar!

If you really want this one, you need to make that clear in your application. In my two previous posts, I REALLY wanted to be in those schools and I was v clear in my covering letters just how keen I was. You need a shit hot letter. Be really clear about why you and why that job.

Agree with shit hot covering letter
Go through every point on the person spec and pull out not only how you meet that but how your teaching etc ties in with their school ethos.

Did you apply @CatAndFiddle? How did it go?

Hi @ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged. Yes, I have applied for that job, and one other, and am currently finishing off my third application....I took on board the advice not to put all my eggs in one basket! Closing date for all three is either tomorrow or Tuesday...so fingers crossed! I have spent ages doing these bloomin' applications, so I'm hoping my effort will be rewarded with at least one interview! (....hopefully in the school I love!)

Good luck!! Let us know how they go. I will keep my fingers crossed that the interviews are in the 'right' order iyswim.