Over 20 applications submitted and not a job in sight.

I had relocated to the north after leaving a school that wasn’t right for me at Christmas, and at first I felt so confident that I would be able to find the right school for me in a new location.

But this confidence was tested on a massive scale when after the May half term, I still didn’t have a job.

I widened my search area and looked outside my subject specialism to the point where I was applying for an RE job 60 miles away.

Trying to find the right fit 

Why was I finding it so hard? My degree and PGCE are both in Classics. And not only is my subject quite niche, but I also came to Classics late in life, and I never studied Classics or Latin in school. In fact, I don’t have a single A level to my name.

This meant I was at a disadvantage to other candidates who can boast years of Latin and Classical learning, it also meant that beyond my history GCSE, I had no real qualifications for the history roles I was also applying for.

Most jobs failed to even respond to my application, and applying was becoming more and more daunting. What was the point when I would never look as appealing on paper as the other applicants?

Keeping the faith

However, confidence-boosting words from my PGCE and NQT mentors reminded me that if I could just get an interview, they would see that my own academic journey made no difference to my ability to teach. Yet, as time went on, there were fewer and fewer jobs to apply for.

Just as I was beginning to think my teaching career had washed up before it had even started, a rare job as a teacher of Classics was posted in my local area.

My initial rush of joy was immediately replaced with one of pessimism. They would never give me a chance over the more experienced Classicists with degrees from more esteemed universities. What was the point in spending hours perfecting an application just to get no response?

But not only did I get an interview, I got the job. The relief was indescribable and I am so excited to start this next chapter in my teaching career. For all you job hunters out there, these are my essential job hunting tips:

1. Reach out on social media

I posted about my worries on Twitter and was given some really helpful advice. There is a whole community of teachers out there willing to help, so make use of these platforms. 

Don’t slog through the process alone, look for help and guidance. 

2. Go to your subject or phase experts

I asked my Classics contacts for help and learned everything I could on the topic. I studied hard to prepare for my interview and this gave me a real confidence boost.

The job hunt can be miserable and it will make you doubt yourself and your abilities. The main advice I have to give is to keep talking to those who know your abilities, let them remind you that you are a great teacher and that schools would be lucky to have you.

3. Practice interview questions

I must have practised interview questions every day for a week, and watched every Tes video available to make sure that I was as confident as possible.

4. Do not lower your standards

Please do not give up hope. Another important piece of advice is to not accept a school just to get a job and end the hunt. It is incredibly important to be at the right school for you.

Ultimately, make sure it’s what you want, and not just the only option at the time.