Interview

[feelinguseless2019]

I've had two interviews recently both have gone to internal candidates both have never done the job before...was told I gave excellent interviews and clearly knew my stuff...I've lost money for taking time off to go to the interviews...why can't Schools be honest and say we have somebody already lined up for the job don't bother!

I have cried my eyes out as I'm genuinely fed up I've not had a permanent job in 5 years...just feeling useless, worthless and stupid thinking that I might have actually got the job. This is the 5th interview this year all gone internal.

Hi just wanted to say you are not alone! I'm just finishing my School Direct PGCE and haven't managed to secure a job yet. Every prospective school I have been too have an internal candidate and it's so disheartening.

It's horrible isn't it especially when you find out the internal has been coached...ah well back to the drawing board!

So true. I think I may have to go on supply for September which I really didn't want to do. I'll probably have to get some sort of regular job too to subsidise

The it always goes to internals is a bit of a myth.

If schools wanted to offer the job to someone specific internally, they could advertise an internal vacancy.

I've got jobs against internal candidates. I've been an internal candidate and lost out to an external candidate.
I've also seen colleagues on fixed term contracts have theirs renewed and made permanent, and colleagues on fixed term contracts who've had to apply against external candidates and not get the job.

If they've advertised externally then they're clearly wanting to check how their internal compares because they think there might be a better field externally.

I know that doesn't help how you're feeling right now, but it might offer other perspectives.

Could you call up and ask for more specific feedback on what to work on for next time? Sometimes I think schools are unhelpful with feedback so they give vague, reassuring soundbites.

Equally, sometimes it's about fit. You're seeing if the school is right for you and they're seeing if you'll fit in their existing staff team. There can be competent candidates who in person might not be the right fit. That's a hard one to work with because it's the nature of interpersonal relationships.

@LolaSmiles unfortunately for this interview the odds were completely stacked against me and the other candidates...one of the interviewers a very good friend of the person, another a close family member and high up position, candidate was shown the questions prior etc...I'm angry as I'm sick to the back teeth of nepotism...particularly in schools...it would be less hurtful if they had at least have done the job but they've NEVER done the job! I just wish they had been honest and said come for interview but the job is going to this person your welcome for interview experience! I wouldn't have lost money which for me is a massive issue at the moment I've lost two days pay and seriously stressed about how I am going to make this up for the end of this month...like I have said on another thread I will be asking before hand if there are internal candidates and declining as I just can't afford the time and money to lose.

We don’t bother to advertise externally if we’ve got a good internal candidate. Waste of time and money.
When we do advertise externally, we often have internal candidates apply but this usually means we are actively looking for a new face.

@annie987 that's how it should be!! As it's transpired over the last few days it's been made very clear that they were never going to hire me no matter what I did as it was made damn sure from all involved...I was a 'tick box' exercise to file away and send to the dfe when needed! I'm just angry that's all, I'll simmer down and it will become a distant memory I'll never apply to this organisation again I've learnt my lesson as always through my stupid naivety