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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Didn't get the job I wanted

55 replies

rebus1 · 16/02/2017 23:24

There is an upcoming vacancy at my school. I spoke to the head and expressed an interest a little while ago, she seemed keen. I hadn't heard anything until today when there has been an all staff email saying the job is going to be advertised externally. No-one spoke to or emailed me personally to let me know I wasn't going to be offered the job.

I feel really upset and a bit humiliated, both about not getting the job, which I would have loved and also because the head didn't talk to me and let me know. There are various reasons I can think of as to why I didn't get it and I know it's not the end of the world.

At the moment I feel like replying to the email saying 'So I assume this means I wasn't suitable? Thanks for letting me know.' Is there any way I can say this without sounding like I'm being really bitter and shitty? Or should I just suck it up and say nothing?

OP posts:

notagiraffe · 16/02/2017 23:27

Don't do it. Just watch out for when the external ad goes out and apply through the channels outlined in the ad. It is a legal obligation for jobs to be advertised externally in most situations. Definitely doesn't mean they're not interested in your application. But if you sent a snarky email it would put them off immediately. Just put your energy into making sure your CV is up to date, and find out a bit about what they want from anyone you know at the school. Then apply. Good luck.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 16/02/2017 23:30

It might be worth emailing to ask whether it's worth applying. They may be thinking they can keep you in your current role plus get a new member of staff too. They may not get other suitable applications in reality. (And IMO it's always a good idea to very quietly give the impression you have other options available should you choose to take them, so worth keeping an eye on what is being advertised)

Original poster

rebus1 · 16/02/2017 23:31

I didn't think jobs had to be advertised externally. The most recent vacancy was filled with an internal advert. I just don't understand why I wasn't spoken to about it.

OP posts:

HeCantBeSerious · 16/02/2017 23:31

It is a legal obligation for jobs to be advertised externally in most situations.

Eh?!

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 16/02/2017 23:34

Try not to take it personally, just because it won't help! People are weird about the 'boxes' they put other people in sometimes- it doesn't mean you wouldn't be good at it, and in fact you could turn out to be the best applicant. Who knows?

Original poster

rebus1 · 16/02/2017 23:36

I might email and ask that slightly. It could be that they'd rather keep me in my current role. I think it may be that I couldn't offer ft so it would be easier to get a new ft person than a pt person to cover my job.

I just don't get why the head would seem so keen and tell me I'd be really good in the role and then that email. Why not discuss it with me personally?

OP posts:

OutandIn · 16/02/2017 23:38

Do not send an email.

I think you are being a bit naive - if you work for a LA they can't just give you the job- they need to go through a recruitment process. Maybe policy at the moment is for all jobs to be advertised externally rather than internally. Apply for the job through the normal channels- if you are not asked to an interview it would be appropriate at that point to ask for feedback and what areas they think you could develop- but only then, once you have been formally rejected. On a positive note you may interview and get the job!

Original poster

rebus1 · 16/02/2017 23:39

I'm not keen on applying against external candidates. If I didn't get the job wouldn't it feel awkward working with the person who did, feeling second best? It's not a promotion just a sideways move to a different key stage.

OP posts:

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 16/02/2017 23:40

Awkwardness? Poor people management skills? Who knows. IME they often don't see that p/t could do a new role well. As p/t we seem to get put in the 'mummy' box. (Despite the fact I actually do an almost full time role very cost-effectively) But yes, my guess it's the full time/part time thing that's a hindrance.

OutandIn · 16/02/2017 23:40

X post- maybe ask why they went straight to external rather thsn internal first but leave it at that.

Original poster

rebus1 · 16/02/2017 23:41

I don't mean to sound so negative, I just feel quite low at the way I've been informed about it.

OP posts:

MistyMeena · 16/02/2017 23:43

It's generally true (in teaching anyway) that jobs are advertised externally even if the preferred candidate is already working at the school. So often teachers attend interviews where it becomes obvious on the day that the job will go to someone who already works there!

Definitely worth asking if you can apply.

notagiraffe · 16/02/2017 23:47

HeCan'tBeSerious - expressed that badly - it's not a legal requirement, but if a more suitable candidate found out about a job after it had gone to an internal candidate they can try suing. The likelihood is that they wouldn't but loads of companies I know of are very careful of the legal implications of internal appointments which haven't been advertised, and they advertise anyway, even if they know who they want to give the job to.

OutandIn · 16/02/2017 23:50

Lots of people apply for jobs and do not get them and carry on. I recently went for a job and all 4 of us who were interviewed work in different teams, but our paths cross regularly. Only one person was ever going to get the job and none of us took it personally. You maybe need a thicker skin and to go for it- you don't need to feel awkward if you don't get it, the odds are we can't get every job we go for, but that shouldn't stop you going for it.

Original poster

rebus1 · 16/02/2017 23:54

Maybe I have just been naive then. I just assumed that if they wanted me to do the job they would have just moved me to that year group then advertised my current job.

I'll email tomorrow just to say 'I see the job is being advertised externally is it worthwhile applying or are you only looking for someone ft.'

OP posts:

echt · 17/02/2017 08:15

I'll email tomorrow just to say 'I see the job is being advertised externally is it worthwhile applying or are you only looking for someone ft.'

Don't. Sounds stroppy. Especially the "only".

Apply for job if you want it.

leccybill · 17/02/2017 09:35

Teaching does throw up some awkward situations sometimes and you do have to just get on with it.

I've been up against close friends of mine in interviews, been turned down for a promotion by a HOD who was a good friend out of work, been replaced by a full timer who I had to interview...

Just apply as normal.

SuperPug · 17/02/2017 09:43

I think it depends on the role as others have mentioned.
At my current school, a smaller role would normally be filled internally. Anything for academic HOD and above requires external candidates.
Good luck, I would remain professional and it puts you on their "radar" for teachers interested in promotions, regardless of the outcome.

Rickandmorty · 17/02/2017 09:47

I don't think you should just be given a job simply because you showed an interest. I think you should just apply for it when it is advertised.

HeCantBeSerious · 17/02/2017 13:13

if a more suitable candidate found out about a job after it had gone to an internal candidate they can try suing

Sorry. That's complete bollocks.

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 17/02/2017 14:11

It is a legal obligation for jobs to be advertised externally in most situations.
Rubbish - ditto suing.
I am doing a teaching job that was not advertised, and the school would not waste time on the pointless rigmarole of going through the motions - unless they are badly advised by out-of-date HR people.

Newtoday · 17/02/2017 14:20

I see this a lot in my position. People want clarity and proper, reliable providers. Clear and proper procedures are applied. People throw their toys out of the pram and do not want proper procedures when it doesn't suit them! Entitlement is common across the workforce these days.

Read the Chimp Paradox, do some reflecting, and be the bigger person. If you don't want to apply for fear of losing against an internal candidate, they you are far from an ideal employee. Risk is a normal part of adult life.

You can choose to take this personally. Or you can choose to grow, learn, and actually live thus previous life!

Newtoday · 17/02/2017 14:21

*precious life!

GeorgeTheHamster · 17/02/2017 14:26

Don't send that email! Just apply if you want to.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 17/02/2017 14:30

Is the job ft or pt?

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