1. applying for jobs another mountain to climb?!

2. what is the chance of getting work? 07/08 525 geography PGCE trainees. 441 got jobs in teaching. 21 did something else. 43 no response. 20 still seeking employment in Oct 2008. Exeter: 26 trainees; 22 now teaching.

3. KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN: the school What is the ofsted report like for the school: key issues, department issues? What are the school results? What is the prospectus like? the website? the information for parents? the response to your questions? What is the catchment like? Is there a rising or falling roll?

4. job spec What does it tell you? What doesn’t it tell you? How does it compare to the ofsted report? What will you teach? All age groups? Just geography? Apply even if you don’t meet all the spec requirements

5. the department What are the schemes of work like? What is the response to the new NC, A levels and GCSEs? What is the size of the department? What is the age and outlook of the department’s staff? Is there high or low GCSE uptake? Is there fieldwork?

6. the application Make it specific to the school and the post. Link your skills and experience to the needs of the job Do a rough one in draft first. Get dates, qualifications, details about your placement school like no. on roll, exam boards etc. Be specific, honest and accurate

7. letter of application No more than two pages. Size 12/11 font. If this is additional information in an application form, send a cover letter with it. Keep sentences short and to the point. Make every sentence say something. Every sentence positive. Use where possible quality paper and envelopes. email is fine-up to you whether to post.

8. the structure 1. wish to apply...post...as seen in...advert 2. why the particular school would be good for the beginning of your career 3. what you are doing now: age groups taught, exam boards (try and link to spec) 4. your strengths as a teacher: include an example of a good lesson/ strategy. 5. your experience and knowledge of latest curriculum and policy developments 6. geographical and teaching priorities/ philosophy. Include classroom management, fieldwork etc 7. educational priorities perhaps include importance of extra curric., pastoral system etc. 8. your interests and prior experience. What you have to offer.

9. turn it positive & specific “Where things have not gone as well as I had hoped” “Although my experience may be short and my knowledge of the application process not vast” “ I teach using strategies to meet different learning styles” “tests are important”

10. brief notes on interview Set up a mock interview at your placement school; find out what a head, governor and teacher may ask you. If you have to teach on interview see if you can practice this in your placement school. Get timing right! Make sure you confirm with school and requirements ICT etc you need Dress formally, prepare yourself, check directions, take cash for lunch! If possible contact the school first: ask for exam results etc, maybe collect them personally

11. the day intro by head tour of school by pupils visit department possibly teach lunch. You will be asked prior to interview if you still wish to continue. you can pull opt now (or before) if you wish. interview/s

12. the interviews Usually head, department head and governor. Each will focus on something slightly different. You may have a pupil panel - they are the hardest! Use names, be concise, pause for thought, give examples based on your experience, relate to the school, conclude then stop.

13. unsuccessful? Get feedback either from the application procedure and definitely the interview. Keep feedback in context - the head will be helpful, but has to say something! If you are confident you made a good honest application and had a good interview - trust the school’s decision - you may not have fitted their requirements...or they may have appointed internally

14. GOOD LUCK! email your tutor (or me) for advice but...make sure you have gone through this PP first. Teacher Training Resource Bank: www.ttrb.ac.uk