job interview for school admin role - what to expect at interview?

[threeisthebest]

I've got a job interview for a school admin/clerical role. I've been doing admin work most of my life but have no experience of working in a school.

Its also 10 years since I had an interview so I have no idea what to expect.

Once of my main reasons for wanting the job was that the hours are perfect and the school is local but obviously I cant say that to them. What can I say are my reasons for wanting the job?

And also, does anyone have any suggestions on what to say when asked about weaknesses?

All help & advice would be very welcome.

Obviously you will have studied all their policies with regards to child protection , confidentiality with parents presuming you will be in contact with them ?

I would say that the school is local to you as that goes in their favour if the weather is bad you will always get in. You know the area etc But again be aware of confidentiality issues surrounding that. What other reasons have you applied for ?

How about ' I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've learned to multi-task better. '

'I sometimes overdo getting my work done ahead of time. However, I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct.'

Good luck :)

Thanks Starry. Yes I have looked at the child protection issues and am confident answering any questions with regards to this. Even if I don't know the answer, I would know how to go about finding the answer and following procedures.

But, to be honest I wouldn't really feel comfortable saying the things you have said and I think this would come across in my interview as me having rehearsed an answer. I will try to think of ways to re-word it so that it would sound more "natural" for me.

I also worry that saying things such as what you have suggested would sound a bit too formal. I think for certain jobs this kind of thing might be appropriate but for school admin jobs I was thinking about being more down to earth in the interview (whilst obviously still being professional).

However, what do I know, I haven't had an interview for so long that I'm probably completely wrong, which is why I welcome your advice, thank you.

I would have thought stary points have merit.

The admin function of a school (as you probably know) has become more complicated as schools have become more complex. You only have to read some of the threads on here. One lady was in charge of adminstering life saving drugs to a child.

I appreciate you don't want to come across as somebody else but I would prepare an answer about confidentiality. I am sure there are parents who think they can lobby office staff could easily imagine that around here as it is all so competative to get what they want, they might want to test that it wouldn't turn your head.

I would focus in your admin skillls and experience. And try to think of egs that are relevant to the role you are being interviewed for. Could it also be that your non-school background could be appealing? What have you done (time saving, cost saving) that could potentially be of interest to them?

Not sure if you have been out of the workplace for 12 years (or working in the same job for 12 years henced last time you interviewed) but reassuring them you are up to date with IT etc.

However I don't work in a school. Hopefully somebody that does will come along. If not there might be forums for office staff in schools? What about TES? They have an active online community I think.

Anyway, the job sounds perfect. Fingers crossed.

Sorry for spelling errors.

Given what our school admin people go through, I would strongly emphasise your ability to remain absolutely unruffled in the face of strong provocation!

Do you have SiMs (school information management system ) experience? If not make clear your ability to learn new systems. Show how you would deal with a parent effing and geffing and not respond.show that you can prioritize work, believe me you can start the day with a job on your desk and it still be there by hometime.

Good luck, if you've any questions I'm happy to help, am a school admin.

Thanks so much for all your responses.

I have tons of experience with difficult & vulnerable customers and confidentiality is a big part of my current job so I feel quite confident answering any questions and giving examples of this.

However, I did tell a white lie to say that I was competent in excel, whereas the reality is I have used it very basically. I have a week to rectify this.

If you go on the schools website they usually have their policies on there.

Is it a Primary School or Secondary School and what does the role include?

Primary Schools tend to be smaller and have less admin staff therefore there is a need to be able to focus on more than one task and/or projects. Eg you may have take the dinner money, trip money, monitor the attendance, admin for teachers, update student records, answer the phone, photocopying, design the weekly/termly newsletter and even do a bit of first aid. (probably all in one day)

In secondary's the admin roles tend to be more focussed eg Reception and general enquiries, finance, pastoral support, PA to the Head teacher etc.

The one thing you can guarantee is that it highly unlikely that any 2 days will be the same - it all depends on what the children get up to and if the Ofsted call occurs .

I work in a school to.

iloveonionrings your second paragraph sounds like my normal day!

OP excell is relatively simple, there are lots of on line tutorials to have a look through to bring you up to speed. Have they not asked for SIMS experience?

I work in secondary and the most important part of my job is working as part of a team with the teaching staff (as opposed to merely paying lip service to the idea). The ability to manage your own workload and plan ahead for yourself also very important as my line manager is a teacher and has 0 time for telling me what to do. (SIMS is very straightforward by the way, annoying especially when is crashes all the time, but easy to pick up).