how do you cope with failing to get a job - am feeling like total failure.....

[flirtygerty]

have taught all my life bar a 5 year break just now for kids. went for job today which I didn't get & was told my skills are out of date & teaching has moved on. Fair enough - no arguements with any of that.But I always felt defined by my job - I wasn't just a mother but a teacher as well. To be told today that I am no longer good enough (when I once was) has really shaken my foundations. I know I should look or a return to teaching course & that no-one has died so maybe I am just feeling sorry for myself & need a good slap.
how do you cope with 'rejection' when you feel like a member of the underclass already as a stay at home Mum??!!

[hugs] -not been in quite same boat but do know what you mean when somethign doesn't go well at work and somehow it makes you feel as if you're crap as a person too.
I don't think a good slap is the answer - its tough to be told waht you were esp as you are clearly passionate to get back to work and into teaching again.

I would cope by rejection by thinking I'm better than this - going to do something about getting some training so you can be better armed for the next job interview (and you will get lucky).

also you already know this but you are using the job interview knock back as a bit of a transference thing as you seem not to be happy wiht being a sahm.. but what you've got to remember is that you have been really strong to decide to do something about it and get a job - ok it hasnt worked out this time but not to say it won't

Not sure this is relevant, but thought I'd mention that I have spent much of today rejecting candidates for a (non-teaching) job. At least half of them would be able to do a great job and I feel awful knowing how disappointed they will be. I'm sure the same is true in your case and that even though you would do a great job it just happens that somebody with an even stronger application has pipped you at the post. It is not the case that you are "no longer good enough" just that there were other good candidates.

Do you think you'll do the return to teaching course?

good luck

I'm sorry this has upset you. I can relate to how you feel, I once cired like a baby when I didn't get a job I wanted. Snot everywhere and everything.
No one has cast aspersions on you or your character/personality/the things that make you you . All they have said is that your skills are a bot out of date and that teaching has moved on. Fair enough, that's a fact and one you probably knew anyway. As you say the answer will be to update those skills.
You may have failed to get the job but that does not make you a failure . You still are a teacher as well as a mum, if it defines you then it hasn't changed just because you've had a short(ish) break from doing it. Chin up and start googling return to practice courses.

hmmm, lucky I'm not a teacher with those typos.."cried" and "bit" of course.

you need to go to a supply agency, many get long term posts. you can brush up your skills and get a full time job at the end of it. If you are feeling under confident go in as a teaching assstant for the first few times. where do you live?

thank you - you've all been so kind that I'm crying agin reading your posts - obviously a few hormones flying around as well! I love my kids dearly but am slowly going up the wall with the monotony of it all hence decision to return to work. will start googling & thinking of plan B right now.......

thinking of plan b will help.. as will some chocolate or biscuits to help you get over shock -cosima's ideas sound really good

It is not that you're not good enough. It's that there have been a lot of recent changes in education - it's a fast moving world. I would second the posts suggesting supply/return to teaching course/whatever you can do to get yourself out there and get some up to date experience.
Once you get a foot in the door, it's amazing the opportunities that can come up. I understand what you mean about feeling that your profession is part of who you are. Of course you are a fantastic mum, but when you have a specialised training in a profession, I think that is very much a part of who you are too.
You will get back into teaching - just hang on in there!

Hey flirty,

It's not a personal rejection, is it? It's purely a question of your not being up-to-date. So get yourself up-to-date.

I've had loads of rejections recently and no interviews since September, even though I have a fantastic CV for the jobs I'm applying for. I don't understand why I can't get interviews.

As well as this (since you mentioned it) I'm dealing with the fact that someone close to me has died, plus a whole load of other major life change issues. However I am managing to stay buoyant and be creative about my job search. If I can do it under these circumstances, I'm sure you can too.

Show 'em what you're made of, girl! Good luck!