You’ve tried everything to make it work at your current school, but it’s not working. SBLs are passionate about their role, but what happens if the job isn’t the right fit? Applying for a new job and going for an interview can be a daunting process.Laura Williams explains how to look your best
First of all, congratulations on making such a courageous decision. If you are not happy where you are and you know there is no chance of change, choosing your own happiness and well-being will always be the right decision. As a next step, here are some tips to help you familiarize yourself with your application and prepare for your interview.
Preparation is key
Read the advertisement, job description, and person specifications carefully. Be clear about salary levels, contract terms, reporting lines, and responsibilities. Salary is an indicator of what value the school places on her SBM role. Please read the small print carefully. Also check if the role will be part of the SLT.
Google your organization and its leaders, looking at websites, Ofsted reports, performance tables, governance documents/minutes, etc. All of this information will help you decide whether you should apply, and if so, help you frame your application.
However, under no circumstances should you rush to apply for a job at a school you have doubts about. It’s your responsibility to be picky!
arrange a visit
If you decide to apply, please do this before submitting your application so that you have more information available. You can learn a lot by meeting staff and seeing the school in action. These observations will quickly tell you if this is the place you want to work and if you can see yourself in the team. Visits are also a good way to try out the commute. If it’s too far to go to a visit or interview, it’s too far to commute every day!
get a reaction
Recruiters pay the most attention to personal statements in your application, in addition to qualifications, training, and protective factors. This will determine if you meet the person’s specifications.
Plan out your criteria and create a bulleted list demonstrating your experience on each point. Read it out loud to yourself to flesh it out into a story and make sure it flows. Don’t just write about what you did, but what impact you had.
If possible, ask someone you trust to read it and give you feedback. The goal is to leave no doubt that you are not only qualified and experienced, but capable of doing the job.
first impressions are important
Even if you have visited the place in advance, it is a different story when it comes to the interview. Dress appropriately, keep your body language open, make eye contact, and convey positive energy.
Interviewers can tell the difference between those who want to be there and those who don’t. Nervous behavior can sometimes send mixed signals, so try to be as relaxed as possible. You won’t be judged for being nervous, but they will see beyond that that you are friendly, genuinely interested in the job, and happy to be there. You would want to.
Have a correct posture
You’ll be monitored even before you step in front of the panel, so keep your game face on at all times. Every staff member you meet is an “interviewer” of sorts. How you handle them is just as important as how you handle formal panels.
Demonstrate consistency in your demeanor and method of presentation. These things aren’t in the job description and are difficult to measure, but people will remember how you made them feel. Make them feel good!
One last thing…
Remember that you are also interviewing them. If you go to an interview and are greeted by someone who doesn’t make you feel welcome, or if your day is complete chaos, this gives you an idea of how the organization operates and what it’s like to work there. You can learn a lot about it. . Again, problems arise and things go awry. You can learn a lot about them too by observing how they cope.
If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to say no. Trust your intuition. Very few things can go wrong.
And if you know you did everything right and they didn’t choose you for the role, that’s okay. Remember your worth. You deserve the best, so don’t settle for anything less.