Get support and advice in the TES Scotland Unemployed Teachers Group. You’ll find advice on other career options you could pursue, application tips and general support on how to deal with being unemployed.
Since my probationary year (08-09) I have applied for somewhere between 400 and 500 jobs. Most in Scotland but some down in England as well and a few abroad. Out of this I have only had around ten interviews (two for supply lists which were successful, the others for individual schools which were not) I actually worked in an international school for around a month last year, but due to the school not being honest about what was expected and what the job entailed I had to leave.Headteachers have checked my application form and helped me to adjust it and I have been told that in general what I am putting is good. The feedback I receive from interviews is always fine with nothing major given for me to work on or change. Schools are always more than happy with my work on supply and reguarly ask me back again, but when jobs come up at the supply schools I still don't seem to get selected for interview. I just don't know where I'm going wrong.Basically I am now at the stage where I am genuinely wondering whether to continue. I love teaching and I can't see myself doing any other job, but at the same time I also don't want to spend the rest of my life working on supply and hoping for enough work to scrape by on. If I did leave teaching I wouldn't even know where to begin in looking for another career. Anyway I just wondered if anybody else has filled in as many applications as me with seemingly so little success and also if anybody can advise on a new career path? I have a Bsc in Psychology (unfortunately not honours as I used it only as a path into my PGDE) Then obviously I have my postgrad in teaching on top of this. If anyone could offer some advice or ideas I'd appreciate it as I'm feeling pretty low right now.
I honestly feel your pain. I was 06/07 and I am now in the exact same situation as you even down to the same Bsc. Im really at the end of my tether now.I wish I could offer some advice or words of encouragement but Im so tired of trying to be positive about it. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone!
I am in England and its also a shitty situation here too although I think it is worse in Scotland. Truth is that we have way too many teachers and very few vacancies, even for lowly paid jobs they get over 50 applications!!! I just don't know what the fu'ck we are supposed to do?
I'm in the same boat! No point anymore but what choice do we have?
happy_monkeyI have a Bsc in Psychology (unfortunately not honours as I used it only as a path into my PGDE)
I wonder whether this is the source of your difficulty in finding a job.
With many applicants for each job, one quick and easy way to whittle them down is to bin any forms showing less than a 2.2 degree.
When the economy improves it should be easier for you.
baitrangerhappy_monkeyI have a Bsc in Psychology (unfortunately not honours as I used it only as a path into my PGDE) I wonder whether this is the source of your difficulty in finding a job.With many applicants for each job, one quick and easy way to whittle them down is to bin any forms showing less than a 2.2 degree.
I don't think the application forms on myjobscotland specifically ask for degree outcome do they? (I'll need to check I think, can't remember)
But even still I don't think this is necessarily the case.
baitrangerWhen the economy improves it should be easier for you.
This is not really a particularly useful comment I'm afraid, as the problem finding jobs started way before the recession. The recession was a coincedence if you like. The only way this will end up being easier for anyone when the economy improves is that some people may choose to retire then instead of now.
leeseyI don't think the application forms on myjobscotland specifically ask for degree outcome do they? (I'll need to check I think, can't remember)
I stand corrected, you can indeed state if you got a 2:1 or a 2:2, but what you put in the degree title is of your own choosing.
I am currently teaching at a school in Qatar. Some of my female colleagues are from Scotland and they all say that there aren't any jobs north of the border. They had a simple choice: go overseas or be unemployed.
In my experience of trying to find a job overseas, if you are over 50, or even 40, nobody wants to know.
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