Difficult to get a TA job?

[Zig27]

I have finished my level 3 Teaching Assistant course and volunteered in schools for 2 years. I have applied for 2 jobs. One deadline was yesterday and the interviews are next week. I’m conscious now as if I don’t get interviews I will need to register with an agency. Do schools prefer someone who has long term experience than someone who has just qualified? Thanks.

Schools will all have their own criteria, depending on what they are looking for.
Generally, "experience" is good, when applying for a role, but that can come from all sorts of areas, not just work.
It might be someone has useful experience as a parent or as a volunteer or in a completely different job.
OTOH, some people get a big long in the tooth and 'stale' in a role so it doesn't always apply that 'more experience' is better than 'newly qualified.
It just depends.

The qualification will put you in good stead as will your experience and your ability to express your knowledge.

Some schools will want experienced, some schools will look for the qualification, some will look for a range and judge independently. There’s pros to every experience level - fresh ideas, long success rate with support, up to date qualification reflecting current guidance, experience across multiple curriculum programs. Every candidate will offer something different.

In the state sector, their is still 4 or 5 weeks to go so don’t give up yet. My friend is applying - in my county, there is a county website that lists all school jobs and there’s currently more than 70 TA jobs being advertised. If you’re looking for your first post, try and go a bit wider and just apply for positions you can physically access. Even if it’s not your ideal year group for example, you can request a year group change for the next year. My school have advertised and interviewed during the holidays before. TAs don’t have as long a notice period as teachers, so it’s not a lost cause yet!

Just make sure you are fully informed on safeguarding before you go to interview! Best of luck

Hi OP, I registered with an agency, got an interview with a school. Got a job, (the contract ends in July) within 2 weeks of being there- the Head said he would love me to join on a permanent contract.

Agencies can be a good stepping stone to getting a TA job.