School Admin Jobs

[fuchsia0703]

I have applied recently for 3 admin posts in local schools and have got 3 interviews. I was told at 2 of the interviews that they had had over 50 applications and in each case were interviewing only 5 or 6 - so that I had done very well to even be interviewed. In 2 of the cases, I was told I was the "runner up" and in each of these that the person who actually got the job had previous primary school experience. So my question is, if you haven't got the experience how do you get a job - it is beginning to seem a bit of a closed shop. I do have experience of working with children plus the appropriate admin assistant but at the moment, it is a case of so near but yet so far. Any comments anyone?

I recently got a school admin post - much to my surprise actually as they wanted SIMS experience which I don't have. Think I was just lucky though as they wanted an immediate start which I could do.

Do you have the time to volunteer in a school office nearby (even for just a couple of hours)?Offering to help with dinner money seems a good start as it's a pain in the bum.

I would 2nd the suggestion of doing some voluntary work (or paid if you can) of some sort within a school. I have found in my experience that a lot of these jobs get taken within.

I got a job as a dinner lady, one of the women in the office went on 5 months sick leave, so they offered it to me, I gained as much experience as I could and asked to be shown SIMS etc, the lady came back from sick leave, I returned to lunch times, now if they are ever busy they ask me for help and they have said that if a job comes available anytime they would want me to do it.

I have just applied at another school for the office and was now able to put SIMS experience on my application form which hopefully will make me stand out from other applicants.

Also headteachers all talk to each other, so if you can get experience within a school, you may well be one step ahead of others.

Sometimes they want people just to work a couple of hours here and there for busy times so maybe at these schools you caould ask to be considered for cover work ?

Hi Fuchsia

Have only just seen this thread. Can't really offer much advice but just to let you know you're not the only one - since August I've had same experience as you three times too! The last time was yesterday, interview seemed to go really well, I was told there had been more than 70 applications and I was down to the final two with a "fantastic application form" (their words, not mine), but hey, the job went to the other candidate as she had specific school office experience. Felt really down after that, but cheered me up to know I'm not alone! I do keep volunteering to help @ DC's school in whatever capacity and hope it will stand me in good stead. Have also been advised (by the head of HR no less in one school) that Mid-day Assistant roles are a way in and alot of admin roles are recruited for that way. Don't know if that's something you could consider - I'm desperate to do 16 hrs a week to get WTC so it's not really an option at the minute, but I may consider it soon if nothing crops up! I always ask for feedback as to why I've been unsuccessful, and it does seem to be the same reason you have quoted, very frustrating isn't it? Good luck with your search, I'd love to know how you get on. My MIL says I do very well to get to 2nd, but it's not really much consolation is it?!

Message withdrawn

Dancing Girl - I'm glad it's not just me - I shall continue to keep my eyes open and perhaps think about volunteering somewhere after Christmas.

Years ago when I first moved to London I somehow managed with very little experience of anything though good secretarial skills and numeracy and I must have answered the interview questions sensibly to be accepted as bank staff where they needed cover, employed directly by Haringey Council but on a casual basis, like an internal agency. I didn't continue working there very long but it might be worth finding out if your LEA (or others you can easily get to if you live in London or in a place which is near more than one authority) runs any schemes like that. You could pick up more schools experience and learn systems like SIMS. Or find out if they use external agencies, which ones?

Good luck

Luci

Is SIMS an internal school computer package or something like that ?

I have volunteered to wash the school's fruit

The lady who now works in dd's school office, got the job because she had been secretary of the p.t.a. When ds starts school I am going to try to get a job as a lunchtime supervisor and see where that takes me.....