Primary school job

[Friez]

It's more fun when teachers get the problem of the mis-spelled username, this kind of thing can't be put down to lack of computing knowledge. Just pure stupidity unless they suffer dyslexia (which is a serious and reasonable explanation).

[sqdge]

Hopefully this job is the one destined for me

 

Good luck!

 

I'm certain that the job I have was destined to be given to me since I have no experience in the field whatsoever, and regularly bring in one of the other applicants to make up for that fact. This has given me something of a guilt complex at work.

[googlemad]

Well one step closer...Got an interview next Monday

 

Also found out I am not replacing an ICT technician, rather the deputy headmaster has been doing the job up until now!

[googlemad]

Mmm

 

One of my references has today mentioned that the employer has been in touch seeking a reference from them! Never had this happen before, so I assume most companies would do this after selecting someone from the interview process.

 

Any advantages/disadvantages to a company having my references before interview? (They're good references!)

[_Bat_]

Mmm

 

One of my references has today mentioned that the employer has been in touch seeking a reference from them! Never had this happen before, so I assume most companies would do this after selecting someone from the interview process.

 

Any advantages/disadvantages to a company having my references before interview? (They're good references!)

 

Having regular contact with several current or previous business owners (my mum included and others who are my friends) I've been informed in the past that it is standard procedure to get the references of all shortlisted applicants before interview (but obviously each company/organisation is different).

 

I'd personally prefer that the interviewer had seen my references before my interview (if its good) as then they already have a good idea of what I am like before the interview and if I screw up they are more likely to put it down to nerves.

 

Good luck though and remember, the person/people doing your interview will probably be just as nervous as you are (in fact, they usually are). My mum ran a business for 25 years and she said even towards the end, she lost a nights sleep each time she had to interview an applicant due to nerves.

 

I was also interviewed by four people (the head teachers of both schools, deputy head of one school and my network manager). So I was extremely nervous. I also wasn't told about the written test I'd have to take. Apparently I got 9/15 which was apparently part of the reason I got the job in the end as I got the highest. The next one down was 6/15.

[googlemad]

So the interview looms - Any tips on the 'classic' primary school questions to look out for (I've been interviewed for roles in high schools, colleges and universities but never primary!)

 

Also if the deputy head has been doing all the technician work until this point, how likely is it they will throw in a few techie questions?

[sqdge]

So the interview looms - Any tips on the 'classic' primary school questions to look out for (I've been interviewed for roles in high schools, colleges and universities but never primary!)

 

Also if the deputy head has been doing all the technician work until this point, how likely is it they will throw in a few techie questions?

 

I don't know about techie questions (although I do know that the school brought in someone techie to give them suitable questions for my interview) - these days you are almost gauranteed a question on child protection (such as from porn, viruses, unemployed bearded men sitting in dark rooms pretending to be "Sharon" aged 9 etc.)

[googlemad]

It went OK although I fluffed up the interview a little (They totally threw me as not one of the questions they asked I had planned for, the ones I had were not featured in the interview!)

 

Regarding the tech questions it was the high school technician, just asked basic stuff on network problems and group policy issues.

 

5 candidates, and I think I was the only one there who didn't actually currently have a job!

 

Now we have to wait a day or two as they won't be making a decision until everyones references check out

[_Bat_]

First thing about interviews: They -never- ask the questions you expect, haha! I learnt that when I was job hunting.

 

All all honesty, the fact that you are currently unemployed might work against you (though occasionally it can work in your favour as you can most likely start sooner then the others). However if you answered the tech questions well enough, that fact might be forgotten.

 

If you don't get this job, have a look into doing some computing related charity work? Maybe go around your local primary schools and offer to work on their network part time for free? They are usually crying out for IT Support and would most likely jump at the chance (I already decided this is what I'd do if I ever found myself out of work for some reason, plus it gives me something useful to do). I personally think this would look fantastic on your CV.

 

Hope you get the job! Good luck!

[googlemad]

Well I've got an idea in my head that a few may have been eliminated before the interview room, I'll say why after the results.

 

I find it highly annoying how companies bring all the candidates in at once! You try to hold a nervous conversation but this brings out all their qualities and you think 'oh bugger'

[srochford]

I'd personally prefer that the interviewer had seen my references before my interview (if its good) as then they already have a good idea of what I am like before the interview and if I screw up they are more likely to put it down to nerves.

 

Our personnel department send off for references before interview (unless the form says not to) but I don't normally get to see them. In reality, references say little more than "X was employed; had absence of Y; punctuality of Z" and that's about all. I'm not sure that I'd actually trust much more in a reference - I don't know the person writing it so I don't know if it's going to be honest or whether they're being nice to try and get rid of a duffer or being mean to try and hold on to a good guy :-)

[googlemad]

I didn't get the job. Which didn't surprise me as the other candidates all seemed to have strong experience of school work (One of them was going between 7 primary schools and came all the way from Hampshire for the interview! (250+ Miles and the same going back!)).

 

I've got the qualifications, but not the experience (Thanks to the stupid training company I am on who seem to think qualifications are the end of the world!). I am looking for voluntary work but it dosen't help the bills get paid and since I've been unemployed since around the start of March

[googlemad]

They didn't appoint anyone 8O

 

Basically my IT skills were there but I didn't have the skills to support the children.

 

Feel happier now I got the feedback

[SimpleSi]

What sort of money/hours were they offering for this job?

 

And how many pupils in the school?

 

regards

 

Simon

[nathan]

I coach a local kids football team which i think will look good on my CV incase i need to apply for a future job. Anything showing your giving something back to the community of kids will help.

 

...Well, thats my take on it anyway.

[_Bat_]

Yeah I'm active in a church (I'm a Mormon / latter day saint) and at the time of my interview I was head of a youth group there. I think that helped me. I need to ask them that actually... I want to know what got me the job in the end.

[_Bat_]

34 Primary Schools

 

I have to laugh every time I see that

[nathan]

34 Primary Schools

 

I have to laugh every time I see that

 

think it might be 1 or 2 more now, but remember that some of the schools only have about 3 class's. Mainly in the remote village's of leicestershire. They dont really need a full time techy. So we can help that way. Just pee's me of with EMBC charging the same £6000ish for the small schools.

 

Thats a point, anyone in this area know if they won the contract again?

 

Sorry to go off topic.

[GrumbleDook]

The contract is still going through tender at the moment as the process was delayed. The caharges for this year are being kept the same as last year but there is very likely to be a different (ie better) pricing structure next year.

 

Once I am allowed to pass on more information I will do but that is likely to be in about 6-8 weeks' time.

 

Apologies if I have not kept people up to date (and I know I am behind in contacting NCC schools!)

[_Bat_]

...but remember that some of the schools only have about 3 class's. Mainly in the remote village's of leicestershire. They dont really need a full time techy...

 

Both of my schools have six year groups each with two classes. On top of that there is nursery and reception in both schools. I've never known a primary school to only have about three classes? That seems odd to me lol.

 

So how many people other then yourself go around all those schools? It still seems an enormous amount. The worst I heard of before was my network manager who works for an organisation that makes him go around 9 primary schools and does everything to do with IT in those schools (talk about mad rush). He does it by himself apart from the two I work in. I think the two I work for are the biggest, hence their employment of me. It takes a portion of his workload away from him and they get much more done as I can spend half a week at each school but he could only only give half a day.

[russdev]

34 Primary Schools

 

I have to laugh every time I see that

 

think it might be 1 or 2 more now, but remember that some of the schools only have about 3 class's. Mainly in the remote village's of leicestershire. They dont really need a full time techy. So we can help that way. Just pee's me of with EMBC charging the same £6000ish for the small schools.

 

Thats a point, anyone in this area know if they won the contract again?

 

Sorry to go off topic.

 

3 some of them have 2 classes yes there are some out of the ways primary schools in Leicestershire...

 

Russell

[nathan]

...but remember that some of the schools only have about 3 class's. Mainly in the remote village's of leicestershire. They dont really need a full time techy...

 

Both of my schools have six year groups each with two classes. On top of that there is nursery and reception in both schools. I've never known a primary school to only have about three classes? That seems odd to me lol.

 

So how many people other then yourself go around all those schools? It still seems an enormous amount. The worst I heard of before was my network manager who works for an organisation that makes him go around 9 primary schools and does everything to do with IT in those schools (talk about mad rush). He does it by himself apart from the two I work in. I think the two I work for are the biggest, hence their employment of me. It takes a portion of his workload away from him and they get much more done as I can spend half a week at each school but he could only only give half a day.

 

theres about 6 of us including a trainer that we lend out to schools.

[Guest kerrymoralee9280]

Hi, do you mind me asking where this school was? (The job in the initial post i mean)

[googlemad]

Carr Manor primary school (Outside Leeds). They weren't struggling for someone as they do have the support of the high school which was pretty much next door!

 

And I have really landed myself in it as I got a letter through the post this mroning advising me I have been selected for interview at another primary school!! (Although this one is in a ICT team IIRC). Trouble is, I don't have a copy of the job description or anything as I had to apply on that day to ensure my application got to them before the closing date! (So I just sent in a standard template for the particular council)

[Guest kerrymoralee9280]

Bummer, suppose the best you can do is go and try and blag your way through it. All the best anyways.