The Interview Process, Public School Style

OK, so I went for a few DET NSW interviews.

This is what happens (and here are a few tips!)

- The interview day and time is non-negotiable. They tell YOU when they want to see you. Be ready, and say yes!!
- When you get to the interview, you have a further 10min to prepare. The office ladies will bring out a list of the questions that you will be asked. You are allowed to make notes. You have every right to be ask to sit in a quiet place or empty office to answer your questions. (sometimes the office staff are a bit clueless about this!)
- In the interview you will be infront of a panel of three people. Generally: the principal, a teacher at the school, and a parent/ union representative.
- Try and answer each question on three levels: One for the principal, one for the teacher, one for the parent / union rep.
- Generally, the interview will take 30min - 1 hour
- Generally, the panel will not divert from the questions given.
- At the end, they will ask something like: Is there anything else you would like to add? Try and finish it with a bang!!

I will talk about interview tips another time, but this is a general overview.

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Addressing Position Criteria: Boy's Education

I will be having an interview tomorrow at a private boys school, and of course the words are there inside me...

But one must learn to harness the energy of the concepts in order to discuss it appropriately at interview...

So here are a few notes submitted to 'The Inquiry into Boy's Education' in 2000.

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/edt/eofb/subs/sub65.pdf

Happy reading!

The DET job application process, so... what happens?!

I have been applying for permanent teaching positions at the jobs@det website for about 2 or 3 months. When I first started, it all seemed like a mystery!

At this stage of the game, only 10% of all available teaching jobs in NSW are advertised. The other 90% of jobs are given to that mysterious employment program that involves you being given a number and waiting for it to get to the top of the list. After teaching for 5 years, I need to say don't sit around and wait.

And although much of it remains mysterious (and I still don't have a permanent job) here is a rundown of (in my experience) what happens when you apply for a teaching job via the jobs@det website:

- You see the job on the jobs@det website. You apply.
- The three days after the due date are the important days. This, I believe, is when you are going to get an idea if you really are being considered for the job or not.
- If you are being considered, your references will be called before you are spoken to. They may let another day or two pass after speaking to references before they speak to you about interview or reject you.
- If you are rejected you will be sent an email.
- If you are not rejected, you will be called. I have found that most of these calls take place at lunchtime or after work (3-6:30pm.)
- If you are called to interview the interview will then normally take place in the following 3-5 days.

Lately I have been told that each advertised job is getting between 85-120 applications. You should feel very proud if you make it to interview!

Teacher shortage, huh?