Didn’t get a job and now I feel rubbish

[Watercress99]

I applied and made it to interview out of 80 candidates. Then my lesson made it though and I was shortlisted then I got the interview and after they said no. It’s my first ever teaching interview but I’ve felt really tearful all day. Then a recruiter found my info though the uni and upset me even more when I refused the job he was offering because it wasn’t guaranteed any permanency after a year
He said to me

“ My advice would be that permanent jobs are few and far between at this time of year because schools have done most of their recruitment for September already so most opportunities will be similar to this one or perhaps shorter contracts. The last thing you want to do is go onto supply for example. You can do a lot worse than securing a post at a large and outstanding teaching school like SCHOOL X where the support would be superb and the opportunities that come up would be high because of their size

I’ve had such a bad day and this just made me
Feel way worse. I’ve applied to other places and he made me feel really despondent. Any advice here:(

I'm really sorry to hear you were unsuccessful. Did you ask for feedback?

I'm afraid that there are very many more temporary contracts than permanent ones. It probably isn't a good idea to rule out anything temporary. It might be more likely to lead to a permanent contract than supply.

Round here, almost all NQT/ECT jobs are a year's contract only, and have been for the last two years.

Schools are uncertain about finance beyond the current year, and cautious about committing themselves to an unknown quantity in terms of a new teacher, until they have seen how you work in their school.

We advise our trainees to take a one year job if offered, on the grounds that many are extended or become permanent after the year if you prove yourself and fit in with the school; sometimes another job comes up in the same school or another school in the same MAT during the time you are there; it is usually easier to apply for a job from a job; it is all good experience anyway and you will be paid and start you ECT induction. So many benefits over no job. This year too, there have been practically NO jobs so we are looking at maternity covers (less than a year) and often part time. Absolutely not ideal, but the view of what is ideal has changed with the circumstances.

Having said that, I do understand your upset - it's a very difficult process and extremely hard to see how well you did and that this was actually a real positive, even though you didn't get the job you wanted. These people clearly rated you, so others should too.

Deep breath, consider what the jobs market is like in the areas you want to work, and on to the next application.

@Scarby9 thank you for this it really helps. I’ve seen 2 permanent jobs that I’m applying for and then I guess beyond that I might start thinking about other options. It’s scary though as there’s really been no jobs being advertised for me to apply for so when work say stuff like you waited a while. The only reason is because there really has been limited jobs out there

I have yes. I emailed earlier and heard nothing back.

I really thought I nailed it I felt it went so well they all were smiling at each other and I just felt I had it. But hey it’s okay I suppose. Ive seen 2 more permanent jobs nearby so im putting in for those and yeah I suppose I’ll then maybe think about that job. I felt he was being really pushy tho like you should really take it. I asked if he would give me time to think and he said you should just apply. Like I need to think about the 1 hour 15 drive without traffic too!

@Barbie222

Sorry to hear about the job

The agency was definitely being pushy, but his advice wasn’t necessarily wrong. At this stage, a temporary contract is better than no contract.

Sorry to hear about that - but you did really well to get so far - 80 applicants is a lot. Many teachers have to do a few interviews before they get that job.
I hope you have some success with the permanent jobs you apply for but I wouldn't be too worried about taking a 1 year role if you need to. I was fortunate on my PGCE (a decade ago now) as I was able to secure a permanent job, but many many of my course mates took a 1 year post. In most cases it was extended and in the 1 case they couldn't. keep her on but recommended her to a nearby school that had a vacancy. She took that job and has been there 10 years. It's a bit pushy of the agent but it is okay advice.

Ime most permanent teaching jobs advertised were already earmarked for internal applicants who were already on a temporary contract with the school. They would only go to teachers unknown to the school in extremely rare circumstances.
It's very normal to take a temporary post after qualifying. If you're a good teacher they'll keep you or recommend you to another school. They also help you in case you start the job and find the school awful. You're not stuck there forever if you hate it.