Recently, via Snapchat and on my Facebook, I've received lots of questions from newly-qualified teachers. They have mainly been asking about my thoughts on how to get subbing, what to bring with them, how to make an impression, etc, so I figured I would share what worked for me.
- First things first, get your CV ready. There are so many templates doing the rounds, but personally, I would go with whatever suits you and whatever layout you like best yourself. I would keep information short and concise- I was told before that back and front of one A4 page is loads for a CV, so maybe keep that in mind. Some people prefer the Standard Application Form layout, which is fine too, but my preference was always my CV.
Once you're happy, get somebody else to check it over for spelling, grammar and layout corrections, and then print it off and present it carefully, either stapled or with a paper clip. Don't fuss too much over this type of small detail - "Ohhh, some principals don't like paper clips" - I've heard it all!! - Then send your CV to schools in the area you are planning on working in. This varies for some people, and your transport. If you can drive, decide the radius you are willing to travel, and send your CV with a short cover letter to those schools. If you are on public transport, check out schools on the bus/LUAS/DART line or within walking distance, and contact them. You can either post your CV, email it, or drop it in. If you are dropping it in, be strategic with your timing. First thing in the morning is normally a busy time for principals, as is home time, so try and make it a sensible time. And as always, a friendly face, a firm handshake and a professional appearance will all make for a good first impression.
- Get your Statutory Declaration signed - It's available here, so print it off, get it signed by a Peace Commissioner,a Commissioner of Oaths or a solicitor, and have it copied, numerous times.
- Have a Form of Undertaking ready and signed, and again, copied, numerous times! It's available here.
- This was something I was highly commended for while I was subbing - I made a laminated business card type thing, which had my contact details and personal information on, along with a passport sized photograph. This was attached to my CV when I sent them out, and I actually spotted it so many times when I went to schools and saw their notice boards - my smiling face!!! It was something so simple, but so effective. If you're stuck for a sub on a Monday morning at 8.45, you want to have somebody's details quick and easy. You don't want to have to trawl through the hundred CVs that came in. You want the details as fast as you can. I haven't got my own template on my laptop, but I made this mock one up quite quickly :)
You could put some details on the back, like some of your experience, etc., but to be honest, it's not really necessary. But ya, basically, I had this, laminated and attached to my CV, and I did see it in lots of schools hanging in the secretary's office, or stuck to the notice board in the staff room - and it definitely worked. Some of my friends had actual business cards done up and you can do this quite cheaply on some of the well-known sites, like VistaPrint, etc.
(Just maybe smile in your photo, cas I'm pretty sure nobody would call Homer up to do a day's subbing with a face like that!!!)
When I qualified, in May 2011, the job situation was pretty dire. Very few people who qualified with me got jobs - and any that did had lots of connections or were county hurlers!! (Swear I wasn't jealous of them!!!) Now I'm not saying that I didn't appreciate what I got. When people asked was I working, I'd reply - "Ah ya, just subbing" - but in reality, it was so much more than that. In my first year out, I did lots of subbing (practically every day), I gained experience in so many different kinds of classes and schools, I made heaps of connections from regular subbing, I had built up a good reputation, and I got work the following year as a result - But in the beginning, I did feel a little 'hard done by', which is only natural. And I was disappointed when I realised it wasn't just a case of getting qualified and getting a job. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of people, that's just not how it works. Anyways, my point here is that you shouldn't be disheartened if you don't get a job straight away. Everything that happens in life is a learning experience, and treat it just like that.
I'll follow this post up with a post about how to sub, or what you can do to make subbing life easier, if that's something people are interested in - so just comment below if you would like something like that :)
(Just maybe smile in your photo, cas I'm pretty sure nobody would call Homer up to do a day's subbing with a face like that!!!)
When I qualified, in May 2011, the job situation was pretty dire. Very few people who qualified with me got jobs - and any that did had lots of connections or were county hurlers!! (Swear I wasn't jealous of them!!!) Now I'm not saying that I didn't appreciate what I got. When people asked was I working, I'd reply - "Ah ya, just subbing" - but in reality, it was so much more than that. In my first year out, I did lots of subbing (practically every day), I gained experience in so many different kinds of classes and schools, I made heaps of connections from regular subbing, I had built up a good reputation, and I got work the following year as a result - But in the beginning, I did feel a little 'hard done by', which is only natural. And I was disappointed when I realised it wasn't just a case of getting qualified and getting a job. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of people, that's just not how it works. Anyways, my point here is that you shouldn't be disheartened if you don't get a job straight away. Everything that happens in life is a learning experience, and treat it just like that.
I'll follow this post up with a post about how to sub, or what you can do to make subbing life easier, if that's something people are interested in - so just comment below if you would like something like that :)