Question Schools Ask Us
What do schools want to know about you once we’ve sent them your CV? We reveal the questions that pop up the most, to give you the chance to think about how your CV comes across, and how you can make that all important positive first impression.
‘What qualifications does this teacher have?’
This often gets asked when a teacher’s qualifications are not clearly presented on their CV.
Make sure your qualifications are clear, including the relevant dates and educational institutions. If your degree is in Education, did you do any practical classes? Include it! Include your SACE. You worked hard for your qualifications, so make sure they are easy to pick out for the person scanning your CV.
‘Why are they leaving their current school?’
Schools will ask this especially if they see you are moving on from your current school after just one year, which might suggest you are leaving a contract early. It’s a fair question, and the best response is to be transparent and professional. Explain clearly that you are seeking a new environment to further develop your skills, take on new challenges and grow as an educator. Be specific, for example ‘I want to work at an IB accredited school’, or ‘I’m looking for a school that can support me with PGCE study’ shows that there is a clear purpose to you moving on.
‘This teacher is currently studying for their PGCE, when will they graduate?’
Schools will be glad to see that a teacher is studying and gaining professional qualifications. For any qualification that you are currently undertaking, clearly state when your expected month of graduation is. This way, the school can be sure that you will be ready to join them as a qualified teacher, or even offer you additional support.
‘What age group has this teacher taught?’
When outlining your previous experience, don’t forget to highlight the important detail of the age groups you’ve worked with. It can be confusing for a school’s HR department to receive your application for a role, but not see the relevant experience to back it up. Double check your CV and make sure you’ve included all the age groups you’ve taught before.
‘Which curriculums have they taught before?’
Similarly, showing your curriculum experience lets the school know where your expertise lies, and if you will make a smooth transition into their establishment or perhaps benefit from some further PD. Additionally, showcasing experience with a specific curriculum can also really help your CV to stand out from other candidates!
‘Can they explain this gap in the CV?’
The main reason a school will bring this up is because they are looking for stable and reliable teachers. If they spot an unexplained gap in your work history, they may worry that you’re not going to complete your contract and leave them in the lurch. This is a tough question, as not everyone’s career will follow a clear path. Account for any employment gaps with a quick summary, e.g. job hunting, studying, caregiving. It’s better to address this on your resume, so a school can instantly see the reason for any employment gaps.
‘What are the teacher’s salary expectations?’
We always want to get our teacher a generous salary package, but it’s essential to be realistic depending on your experience and qualifications. Don’t price yourself out of the market! Some schools won’t consider an applicant who comes across as unreasonable and out of touch with current salary ranges.
‘What else can this teacher bring to our school?’
Schools value specialty and expertise, but equally, communicating your hobbies and interests can also present you as a well rounded candidate. Being able to run an after school program, or cover lessons, shows how you can be a valuable asset to the whole school and its community!
These are the questions we receive on the regular from our schools, and we feel it’s important for our teachers to have an insight too. Use these questions to sharpen your CV, and prepare yourself for your next interview or job application. The more a school can understand your valuable background and experience, the better chance you’ll have of securing an interview and signing those offer letters! Good luck!
