How bad is it to ask for a week to think about a teaching job offer?

[IHeartKingThistle]

I'm returning to teaching part time after a few years and I need to make sure I get this right - I'm paralysed by indecision!

Interviewed for a job yesterday and was offered it. The job fits all my requirements in terms of hours etc. and I liked the school and staff more than I thought I would. It's a school that is improving and still has a way to go, but their ethos fits with mine really well.

But there are two other schools nearby advertising part time roles. One I know fairly well, which has a good reputation and has asked me to apply. The other is an independent which just looks lovely - a bit out of my comfort zone but I'd like to check it out at least.

I have to speak to the first school this evening or Monday. Can I ask for a week? It may be that the first school is the right choice but I don't want to take it and wonder whether one of the others would have fit better. I was the only person interviewing yesterday if that's relevant.

Please give me some no nonsense advice!

That’s just not how it works in teaching.

I agree with @PurpleDaisies I'm afraid; you can ask, but if you then choose to accept, you may find the relationship a bit tainted if they knew you were keeping them waiting for other schools.

You sound really positive about this school though - is it just FOMO that you're worried about? In my experience, first impressions are usually right - I took a job at a 'nice' school, which I felt a bit unsure of, as it was outstanding, good catchment etc, but regretted it - my first impressions of it not being right for me were correct! I'd say trust your gut :)

If they have no other candidates they may be prepared to wait for you to decide. However, I've worked in schools where they'd think you were 'cheeky', withdraw the offer and recruit a nice, cheap NQT after the May deadline.
How would you feel if you ended up with no job after attending the other interviews? Would that be better than rushing in to a role that might not be right for you? It's a difficult position to be in, I hope it all works out for you.

Didn't they ask at interview if you would take the job if you were offered it?

Well, I think accept, but then also go for the Independent job. If you like that school and get offered it withdraw from the school current offer is at.

It leaves school A in exactly the same position whether you accept then withdraw in a week or withdraw now. Accepting now cuts out the awkwardness if you do want their job in the end.

It's not ideal, but it's dog eat dog out there and in personal experience (DH works in independent sector, I work in state) T&C are generally better in Independents.

Well, I think accept, but then also go for the Independent job. If you like that school and get offered it withdraw from the school current offer is at.

That’s worse than asking for a week to think!

Accept then go for the others.

Well, I think accept, but then also go for the Independent job. If you like that school and get offered it withdraw from the school current offer is at.

Are you a teacher? That is a really stupid thing to say and if you then took the independent job I would fully expect the never teach in the area around the school you turned down again, teachers, heads and governors all talk!

In every teaching job interview I have ever had you are asked if you are still a firm candidate and the expectation is they will appoint on the same day.

It’s really poor form on your part and do not take it with a view to packing it in. Your rep will be ruined!!

It's totally FOMO.

I have chosen badly before and I just can't do it again. The positives about the school though, thinking about it, are all the things I care about.

Bird in the hand?

Take the job or don't but definitely don't piss everyone off by messing them around asking for more time.

When I went into teaching nearly 20 years ago, this was considered awfully bad form & we were told would likely result in withdrawal of offer - you were asked at interview 'Will you take the job if we of FWR it?' & expected to say Yes or No.

I suspect now, if you were the only candidate, they liked you enough to offer you the job & you tell them that you have another interview lined up (which you effectively have if another school has asked you to apply) then they'll have to lump it.

Recruitment/retention crisis & all that.

Definitely don't accept then ditch them! That's just dishonest.

Its really bad. Accept or decline. Don’t mess people around.

3 part time jobs all in your area, in good schools?
I've never seen a part time job advertised in my subject area, how lucky are you.
Anyway yes, v bad form to not decide on the day, schools won't take kindly to that.

I know it's bad form. They did ask me if I was free to accept and I was honest so they were aware.

I won't accept and pull out.

This system REALLY isn't set up for indecisive people!

I won't accept and pull out.

I hope this proves to be the right call for you but before pulling out ask yourself what would you gain by being in the other schools, that this school could not offer you. You already said it is not the hours and admitted the staff were nicer than expected. Furthermore their ethos matches yours and you have the potential to make a huge difference in improving the learning for the pupils there.

Think HARD about what either of the other schools could possibly offer as it is possible you end up with no position after all this. In my honest opinion the grass is not always greener and this school sounds perfect for you.

A mate of mine recently flew to an interview in a different country. We're both teaching in an international school.

She has teaching mates in destination country already, & before her interview at School A was contacted by the Head of School B - they had a vacancy, her mate had recommended her...would she like to come in & interview?

She interviewed for school A in the morning & school B in the afternoon. Told both she had 2 interviews that day & where. Both offered her the jobs; she told both she'd need a few days to think.

One promptly upped the offer to include a responsibility point & accommodation upgrade. The other school said sadly they couldn't match what was on offer, they quite understood her dilemma but they'd love to have her.

She picked the less affluent but friendlier school in the end.

I think having multiple offers is becoming more acceptable.

That is a really stupid thing to say and if you then took the independent job I would fully expect the never teach in the area around the school you turned down again, teachers, heads and governors all talk!

Well, yes, I was going to add that you couldn't expect to get a job in a state school locally for a while after doing that. But people would forget in a couple of years.

They have to re-advertise either now or in a week so it is no different to School A. If OP doesn't take their job they are looking at an NQT or currently unemployed teacher anyway. I'm not saying they wouldn't be pissed off, but OP has to look after herself.

And yes, I am SLT and have worked in a school with horrific recruitment difficulties. I have also been off sick on stress before now, and know that for teachers to stay in jobs they HAVE to be in the right schools for them.

School A is a small secondary, very new head, years of bad reputation, now has good OFSTED, nice site, very very run down buildings, lovely ethos, nice staff, kids seem fine, hours perfect.

I care about ethos and staff and kids more than buildings. I care about getting the hours right more than I care about reputation.

I should take it, right?

I should take it, right?

Well I'm not you but like I said above I cannot see any reason not to take it.

No wonder there is a teaching retention crisis if teachers aren't allowed to apply for more than one job or take a short amount of time to consider their options without risk of being blacked out of the area.

Teaching is like any other job in that sometimes it only takes small differences to make a difference to a persons satisfaction and happiness. I think a week seems reasonable.

I think having multiple offers is becoming more acceptable.

The recruitment scene is totally changing, especially with the huge rise of agencies placing regular teachers.

Heads down that's a great post, thank you.

I mean your previous one!