Job interview for Exam Invigilator

HopefulTrier · 2023-09-11T12:45:06+00:00

I’ve an interview later this week for an Exam Invigilator position. I haven’t done an interview in years!!! Can anyone give me some advice on questions I might be asked. And also an idea of how many hours you work roughly. Thanks

sm40 · 11/09/2023 14:03

Read the JCQ regs and school safeguarding policy.
What would you go in an exam if you see malpractice/child talking.
(With talking/turning a hard stare is sufficient at first). Anything else talk to lead invigilator.
If you do see a phone, take it off them, but say they can finish the exam. Tell lead invigilator. The exam officer/board sort out the rest.
What do do in a fire.
For safeguarding where do you see it applying up your job, and they are hardly going to tell you something private, but you might see self harm scars, or they tell you
The exams are making them feel depressed etc. But if they do divulge something what do you say?
Hours are varied, it's seasonal. Maybe 6 hours a day in exam season. Or could be much less. Start about 8 and can have exams in the afternoon that up in until 4.30 then have extra time.
Most of the time I see it more as a helping role, tissues, toilet, queries, illness, panic attacks.

CaptainMyCaptain · 11/09/2023 14:09

Re safeguarding - I was specifically asked what I would do if a student made a disclosure to me and asked me to promise to keep it secret. As a retired teacher I knew I had to tell them I couldn't promise this if I thought they were in danger or needed help. An unlikely scenario which never happened but I was asked this question.

sm40 · 11/09/2023 18:07

They asked that question but should be in the first few pages of the safeguarding manual.
Just be practical with any other answers but a read through of the jcq regs should answer most things.
Also a smile at the children is good for calming them down! Most of them go into their first exam terrified and are quite non plussed at the end. You probably won't be with the anxious/SEN children straight away.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/09/2023 18:19

I used to be an exam officer and would interview all my invigilators. Literally all we would look for was someone personable who was going to be able to follow instructions. They have to train you everything anyway to meet JCQ requirements, you don’t need to know the ins and outs of JCQ. Let them know your availability. It helps if you can start before the school day and end after it (ie. Not be needing to nip off for school runs) as some exams run the full afternoon with extra time etc.
if you’re interested in being a reader or scribe then let them know- they are desperate.
they will have to ask you a safeguarding question- what would you do if a child disclosed something to you? What if that something was a serious allegation about a member of staff?
schools are absolutely desperate for invigilators. Apply at all the local high schools and you’ll get more hours than you need for the whole mock exam/main exam season.

good luck!

Original poster

HopefulTrier · 11/09/2023 19:39

Thank you everyone, very helpful.

OP posts:

Hopebridge · 08/07/2024 17:11

thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/09/2023 18:19

I used to be an exam officer and would interview all my invigilators. Literally all we would look for was someone personable who was going to be able to follow instructions. They have to train you everything anyway to meet JCQ requirements, you don’t need to know the ins and outs of JCQ. Let them know your availability. It helps if you can start before the school day and end after it (ie. Not be needing to nip off for school runs) as some exams run the full afternoon with extra time etc.
if you’re interested in being a reader or scribe then let them know- they are desperate.
they will have to ask you a safeguarding question- what would you do if a child disclosed something to you? What if that something was a serious allegation about a member of staff?
schools are absolutely desperate for invigilators. Apply at all the local high schools and you’ll get more hours than you need for the whole mock exam/main exam season.

good luck!

Can I ask would it hold someone back from applying if they had good grades but didn't hold a pass in Maths. Experience with children and in administration. Thank you.

jennylamb1 · 08/07/2024 17:16

thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/09/2023 18:19

I used to be an exam officer and would interview all my invigilators. Literally all we would look for was someone personable who was going to be able to follow instructions. They have to train you everything anyway to meet JCQ requirements, you don’t need to know the ins and outs of JCQ. Let them know your availability. It helps if you can start before the school day and end after it (ie. Not be needing to nip off for school runs) as some exams run the full afternoon with extra time etc.
if you’re interested in being a reader or scribe then let them know- they are desperate.
they will have to ask you a safeguarding question- what would you do if a child disclosed something to you? What if that something was a serious allegation about a member of staff?
schools are absolutely desperate for invigilators. Apply at all the local high schools and you’ll get more hours than you need for the whole mock exam/main exam season.

good luck!

Second this, schools in general are short of staff. I used to invigilate, however found it really boring to be honest and the work can be bitty so some people don't stay on. It's a good way back into employment if you're interested in the sector.