Support Each Other In Looking For Work?

stephyt23

lexilex wrote: »

Good morning all.

First application of the day done and it's not even 8.30 :eek:

The sun is out and I am feeling positive. I think I have got over my shock at last week now, and I have just got to get on with it. I still cannot believe I've gone from having 2 job offers to none, but what's meant to be will be.

Just a tip for anyone who is looking to work in a school. On Thursday I emailed every school in the local city (local council had a list with email addresses on their website). I explained I was looking for work as a teaching assistant, and had heard many vacancies go unadvertised and I did not want to miss out on a opportunity. I am surprised how many have actually bothered to reply. Although none of them have asked me to run round there and start working I would say the majority have said they will keep a copy of my CV on record should vacancies arise. A lot have explained they are struggling because of tight budgets. My thoughts are that if they already have a potential applicant saved in their records they may choose to contact me if a position becomes available, rather than waste time and money with the whole advertising process.

Anyway, good luck everyone with interviews this week. I'm hoping for great things this week.

Thanks for that Lexilex, think I'll give that a go! There are an awful lot that go unadvertised which is a pain. I know in my local council they hold some back for people who are being made redundant which never get advertised.

livermum

Hope we have some successes this week!

stephyt23

livermum wrote: »

Hope we have some successes this week!

I hope so too!! :j

I'm making a list of schools and email addresses so I can keep a record of who gets back to me. I'll wait until tomorrow to email them though as I'm still hoping to hear back from a school who I applied to and have interviews this Thursday.

I'll post a copy of a draft email on here when I do this to see what you all think and check it sounds ok.

lexilex

stephyt23 wrote: »

I hope so too!! :j

I'm making a list of schools and email addresses so I can keep a record of who gets back to me. I'll wait until tomorrow to email them though as I'm still hoping to hear back from a school who I applied to and have interviews this Thursday.

I'll post a copy of a draft email on here when I do this to see what you all think and check it sounds ok.

This is what I put...

Dear Sir/Madam

My name is ***, and I am a recent graduate from the University of Hull where I gained a 2.1 degree in Psychology.

I am writing to you today to enquire about possible teaching assistant vacancies you may be recruiting for at the moment or in the near future. I have recently learned that many roles go unadvertised, and I am keen to avoid missing out on any possible opportunities.

I am looking to begin a career working with children. During my time at university I spent time in two local primary schools, which I enjoyed thoroughly. I feel I have knowledge and skills which would be valuable in such a role. For example, during my final year at university I studied a module which focused on education, and disorders and conditions which can affect the ability to learn.. I found this an extremely interesting and thought provoking topic, and gained a 1st during assessments.

I have attached a copy of my CV. I appreciate you may not be recruiting at the moment, but I would very much appreciate it if you could consider me should any roles arise. I also understand you may not accept CV’s as a way of application, and I have no issues with completing an application form should this be required.

Many thanks for reading.

Kind regards

I have sent out more emails this morning to the village schools, I've got them all listed on excel so I can mark if they have replied and if they have said they will keep a copy of my CV. Some of the replies have been really helpful, telling me which sites they list their vacancies on.

Even if nothing comes of it, it makes me feel better that I am doing something, especially on days like today when there are very few jobs advertised.

Hope it works for you!

stephyt23

lexilex wrote: »

This is what I put...

Dear Sir/Madam

My name is ***, and I am a recent graduate from the University of Hull where I gained a 2.1 degree in Psychology.

I am writing to you today to enquire about possible teaching assistant vacancies you may be recruiting for at the moment or in the near future. I have recently learned that many roles go unadvertised, and I am keen to avoid missing out on any possible opportunities.

I am looking to begin a career working with children. During my time at university I spent time in two local primary schools, which I enjoyed thoroughly. I feel I have knowledge and skills which would be valuable in such a role. For example, during my final year at university I studied a module which focused on education, and disorders and conditions which can affect the ability to learn.. I found this an extremely interesting and thought provoking topic, and gained a 1st during assessments.

I have attached a copy of my CV. I appreciate you may not be recruiting at the moment, but I would very much appreciate it if you could consider me should any roles arise. I also understand you may not accept CV’s as a way of application, and I have no issues with completing an application form should this be required.

Many thanks for reading.

Kind regards

I have sent out more emails this morning to the village schools, I've got them all listed on excel so I can mark if they have replied and if they have said they will keep a copy of my CV. Some of the replies have been really helpful, telling me which sites they list their vacancies on.

Even if nothing comes of it, it makes me feel better that I am doing something, especially on days like today when there are very few jobs advertised.

Hope it works for you!

That's great! Thanks for posting. I've made an Excel sheet too thought that was the best way to keep track of who I've contacted. There are quite a few schools who don't have email addresses so if this works for me as well then I'll write to those without an email address.

Worth looking at private schools as well. I didn't realise there were two quite locally to me until I did a search as they don't come up under the local council

lexilex

stephyt23 wrote: »

Worth looking at private schools as well. I didn't realise there were two quite locally to me until I did a search as they don't come up under the local council

Definitely! Especially with all the funding cuts I would think they are much more likely to be recruiting.

I ended up on placement in a private school last year. After contacting every council run school within 15 miles of where I live and getting nowhere I got in touch with them and they were brilliant. They're not recruiting at the moment though

stephyt23

lexilex wrote: »

Definitely! Especially with all the funding cuts I would think they are much more likely to be recruiting.

I ended up on placement in a private school last year. After contacting every council run school within 15 miles of where I live and getting nowhere I got in touch with them and they were brilliant. They're not recruiting at the moment though

That's a shame I've made a list of all the ones in my local council, now starting on the two councils that border where I live. I would never have thought to do this so thank you for the idea! Also shows us to be being proactive which is good, more likely to remember us if and when jobs come up I hope

Drea

Afternoon.

I need a kick up the backside, I don't know why I can't get my head into job hunting but I'm failing miserably! I had a missed call this morning from an unknown number and I'm worried it might have been about the interview I went for, but surely they would have left a message?

Best go apply for some jobs...

Drea

persa wrote: »

A new week, a new start. Let's hope we all find jobs this week! :T

The agency put my CV forward for a temporary role on Thursday, so I'm hoping to hear something soon, even if it's a no. I asked them to keep me updated either way and I'd just like to get an idea of where my CV is fitting in in the current market.

Btw, does anyone know when JSA is paid in relation to your signing on day? Thanks in advance.

It's usually 3 working days after I think.

stephyt23

Well it looks like I wasn't shortlisted for the job I wanted at the school. I called them to ask if people have been notified yet and was told yes and that they would have had a letter Saturday or today. I'm waiting for someone to call me back with feedback.

I just don't get it. I'd got loads of experience within the age range, went to the school for a visit to show I was really interested, took the application form back in person and met everything on the person and job spec. I can't help but feel really disappointed. It was so ideal for me and would have fit perfectly around uni, plus my boyfriend is having a house built literally 3 mins walk away so I could have walked to work once I've moved with him.

Going to start emailing schools now and take Lexilex's advice