I’m a teacher by trade but I have yet to return to teaching since having Gabe 22 months ago. I actually started my maternity leave almost two years ago because I finished work at the start of the summer holidays and Gabe wasn’t born until 6 weeks later.
Had we stayed in Scotland the chances are I would have gone back to work last August but because we moved to England last July I have yet to find another suitable teaching job.
The boys go to nursery two days a week. Initially we paid for it with a combination of Toby’s funded hours and the childcare vouchers I saved up whilst on maternity leave. Once they ran out Barry signed up to get childcare vouchers from his work and we get by with the little bit that I earn from this blog.
But at some point I need to go back to work. Toby starts school in September so that will make things easier in terms of finances (but not so much when it comes to logistics) and although we can survive just on Barry’s wage we can’t really justify Gabe going to nursery any more if I’m not working. The thing is, I think nursery is really good for him…and I think I would go a little bit insane if I had to look after him all the time! I know lots of people do, but the stay at home mum life is just not for me. Not seven days a week at least.
The ideal compromise would be a part time teaching job. Unfortunately these seem to be few and far between. A couple of weeks ago though I was contacted by one of the recruitment agencies asking if I was interested in a job at a local school. It was three days a week, only teaching up to Year 9, and at an independent school so class sizes were small too. It sounded perfect!
Yesterday I went for an interview – it seems in teaching that interviews are an almost full day long process. I taught a lesson, had a tour of the school, had to do a written task, had lunch with the department staff, and then finally an interview with the head teacher, deputy, and head of department.
I did my best, I thought it had gone well. But I didn’t get the job.
It is so demoralising when you really want a job but you don’t get it. And I think it’s even worse when you think it’s gone well but they obviously don’t agree with you.
As far as I know there was only one other candidate. Maybe I wasn’t bad, just she was better. Who knows? And the thing is, I’ll never know. Perhaps I could contact them and ask for feedback but I don’t know if I’ve got the strength to hear someone tell me why I wasn’t good enough.
Still, I am going to focus on the positives (if I can find any) – if I had got the job it would have meant that I would have missed Toby’s starting school. He’s only going in the mornings for the first week and so juggling drop offs and pick ups would be a nightmare.
On top of that not working means I get to spend some more time with Gabe – and I’ve never really had the one on one time with him that Toby got when he was a toddler. And why wouldn’t I want to spend more time with this crazy boy?
We might try and keep him going to nursery one day a week, or there’s a local pre-school where he might be able to go a few mornings (and it’s much cheaper than nursery too!).
Or maybe another job will come up between now and September that’s even more awesome. You just never know do you?
I’m sorry you didn’t get the job, teaching interviews are hard aren’t they as they are a full day affair and I often think they know what they’re looking for, or who they’re looking for, before the day even begins. I’ve had that go against me and it’s horrible, but I’ve also had it (quite unknowingly) go in my favour and I got the job. More to do with who knows who sometimes, rather than how good you are on the day. I know people who have been told they interview better than another candidate but still didn’t get the job, crackers??
Good Luck with the job hunting! xx
Sorry lovely, this sort of thing is so disheartening. Don’t give up! Can you do supply or something? Keep looking, something will come up x
Job hunting is so hard, isn’t it… You put so much of yourself out there and it is terribly demoralising when they turn you down. I’m a firm believer that these things happen for a reason though, so I’m sure in time it’ll all work out better than you had imagined. Keeping everything crossed for you x
Hey hun I have been there many times. Now the psychology I use is I am interviewing them for the job. Do I want to work them! And if I don’t get the job….lucky escape. It will happen have faith. #sharingthebloglove
I always tell myself that if I didn’t get the job, it was because it wasn’t the right one for me and there’s something better out there. But it’s still hard when you’re the one being rejected.
Interviews are two way streets. They want to see if you’re suitable for them but it’s also an opportunity to see if they’re suitable for you. I’ve a few friends who teach in independent schools and they say it’s harder in many ways than the state sector. There’s a huge level of expectation and pressure to succeed. And if that does happen, it’s because the teaching wasn’t right, not because the child didn’t do the work or have the ability.
Good luck in finding the right job. đŸ™‚
I’m sorry to hear this Sarah. It’s hard not to take it personally when you don’t get a job, but I believe it fate and this one obviously wasn’t the one for you. Something even better is around the corner, I’m sure of it. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove x
I’m so sorry you didn’t get the job, its always hard dealing with rejection of any kind. I think you have to focus on the fact that the right job will come along and when it does you’ll be grateful that this one didn’t work out. Thank you for sharing with us at #SharingtheBlogLove
I was going to say, how about supply teaching although I suppose you need to be more flexible with potentially quick turnaround for arranging childcare. It’s worth asking for feedback, because it can always help with further interviews. I’ve never gone direct, always through agencies in my industry so you automatically get feedback. The weirdest was one where the only feedback was that I wouldn’t fit in because I was too good! The recruiter thought it was weird but couldn’t get anything more out of them. Good luck with future searches
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t get the job. It is hard news to take when you really wanted a job. Good luck with the rest of your job search, I hope you find the right post for you. #sharingthebloglove
Sorry that you didn’t get the job. Its so difficult to find the right job- but you only need one! Good luck with your job hunt. Im sure you will find something soon.#SharingtheBlogLove
So sorry you didn’t get the job it is always a tough time when this happens but definitely ask fro feedback, they will be constructive and I always find it better to know than worry and second guess too. i hope you find a balance and something comes up for you soon, like you my youngest goes to nursery and I am trying my best to earn to cover it because I know it is good for both of us to get that break x #Sharingthebloglove
Oh I totally feel for you on this. I am currently a stay at home mum but I recently saw my “perfect job” advertised (also in teaching but nursery school children) and I thought the interview went well. I didn’t get the job. And I still feel really gutted about it, even though I know that it means that I get to be at home for a bit longer. It isn’t personal, but it hurts like it’s personal. I hope something comes up for you soon and that you can enjoy your extra weeks at home instead #sharingthebloglove
I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. The perfect job will come along for you. Don’t be disheartened. #sharingthebloglove
There are lots of positives and whatever happens you will make the most of it. I would ask for feedback though, after spending a day there and so much preparation this should be part of the exchange. You may be surprised to hear how it went in their eyes and be able to use it in the future. Whatever happens best of luck. #SharingtheBlogLove
It’s such a shame that you didn’t get the job, especially as it sounded ideal. But just think of the interview as a trial run for the next (even better) job that comes along… and I’m sure it will. September starts aren’t the only sort – there are always maternity leave posts etc and there’s always supply teaching, which may be more flexible for your needs anyway, and get you back into the swing of things gently. In the meantime, I’d urge you to ask for feedback as soon as you can face it – it may give you helpful hints for next time, or at least some reassurance about all of the things you did right! Good luck. #SharingTheBlogLove
I went for job after job and then was always rejected.l Now I have 3 and my blog. If I could go back, my advice would be keep believing in yourself! #sharingthebloglife