What could I have done so wrong?

[mysurveysays]

A school local to the one I'm in sent round an email to heads in the sane Borough with a couple of job vacancies they had. As my contract at my current school is coming to an end, and the position was part time, I applied for it. Had a zoom interview last week where I was a little bit rambly on occasion but not completely awful (I don't think!) but didn't get the job (fair enough). I asked for feedback and the head said that I hadn't given enough personal experience in my answers. This puzzled me as I always frame my answers with being a general answer then give an example of my own practice (but again thought maybe other candidates had given more).
I've just received a job alert from my local council and the exact job I applied for is being advertised again! Now I'm thinking, how bad must a person have to be, in terms of not giving enough examples, for a school to rather have nobody for the job than them? I'm now really paranoid about being able to succeed in an interview again, any ideas on what I could have done so wrong?

I would say you just don't fit what they want. There will be a reason for this that you will never know. You asked for feedback and they have to tell you something, but can't tell you the actual logistics of why it isn't you, so they have made up some bullshit.

I interview regularly and this sort of thing happens all the time. Don't take it personally- that just wasn't your school.

Thanks for your reply. Just out of interest is there anything that puts you off employing somebody? Does their pay grade come into it much?

Our school only hires NQTs. In the last 5 years, the only non NQTs were the headteacher's daughter, sister and son in law. I think where you are on the pay scale has an influence unless of course you are related to the head. (depending on the school).

I'm sorry you did not get the job. When you meet someone during an interview, I think you always get a feel for that person. You can't replicate that over zoom. It adds a layer of distance so is more difficult for them to see what type of person you are. Had your interview been in person, the outcome could have been different.

I would re-apply, but I'm brazen like that!

Pay scale definitely has an impact. When we advertise we don't put the pay scale on the ad but we know how far we're willing to go.

When I interview my top priority is the right personality for the team, then a skill set that compliments the rest of the team.

A candidate may be a great teacher and lovely person, but if I don't think their personality would blend in or if they bring things to the table that I already have covered, then I might choose somebody else. It wouldn't be that candidate's fault.

Are you expensive? It might just come down to money. Whilst some schools will pay top of the salary scale they do expect a candidate to wow them if they're going to pay.

As a former governor pay may come into it when comparing candidates.

Maybe if brave enough call and ask should you reapply as still interested