Teachers - job hunting and school visits

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I am looking for a teaching job (primary) doing lots of visits - all for schools I would want to work in.

The visits are often in a group and I look (and am!) interested in what the head says - nodding, smiling, chatting to children as appropriate. I asked questions about extra curricular and about catchment today. I just don't know what they are looking for in these visits - it is as simple as being interested in the school and asking a (relevant) question at the end or is there more to it?

I have looked on the TES website but most of the posts about this are about people in a similar position to me rather than more senior teachers who might have an insight into how it works.

Many thanks for any replies.

Presumably you have not applied for a job in the schools- are there definitely vacancies to be filled?

Oh yes there are jobs and I am applying for them but the job adverts invite you to visit and we have been told it is expected. So my question was what do they expect on these pre-application visits.

When I said for schools I want to work in I meant I am not just applying for everything out there.

Dh says it's about putting a face to the name, seeing manner, showing you are really interested ( not just applying to all)

So there is nothing special I need to do? I am interested as I walk around and I make eye contact with the head, compliment the school (lovely displays type comment), ask a relevant question. That's enough?

Make a good impression, ask appropriate questions, friendly to everyone that sort of thing. Dh says it helps you get an interview.

When I was job hunting & didn't visit places cos I was working & couldn't keep taking days off I wasn't getting interviews.

Thank you very much - makes me feel better to know I am doing the right thing.

The visits are for you to decide if you like them, not the other way round

Schools like to know that applicants will take the job if offered, so like them to have a visit and then apply with eyes open, as it were.

So use the time to see if the school is right for you.

Its hard in this job market not to apply though isn't it? 200+ applicants per job :(

I have to say everywhere I have looked around has been lovely but I do know that they are selling themselves to me.