TLTP Education is always on the lookout for new and innovative methods to attract talented teachers, support staff and leaders to support them with their career ambitions. 

So, when we came across Jooble; a new and popular jobs site with a difference we decided to give it a try, and we glad we did!

Jooble is a search engine, just like Google and Yahoo, the difference with Jooble’s search engine is it's designed to search only jobs. Their search engine enables you to look for jobs on the major job boards and career sites across the United Kingdom all in one place.

Jooble automatically filters out duplicated jobs, so similar jobs, posted on several career sites, are shown as a single one.

Since we began to feature our vacancies on Jooble we have attracted a high calibre of Education professionals whom we have supported in finding them find their dream job and helping them flourish in their career.
Jooble is constantly updating their features to make it easy for employers to attract potential candidates to their jobs and vice versa. Their overall aim is to help candidates finds relevant jobs in a few seconds and save time.

Video interviews through applications such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime and many others are hugely popular at the moment. The majority of schools still require vacancies to be filled when schools do finally reopen and not forgetting those recently graduated students looking to complete their NQT year from September. Whilst current social distancing restrictions are in place, telephone and interviews will remain in place. Because of this, it's now more important than ever to make sure that your telephone and video interview skills are up to scratch.

The thought of being invited to a video interview will either fill you with fear of the unknown, relief that you won’t have to leave the comfort of your house, or maybe even a bit of both. A video interview will have a large amount of similarities to a regular face-to-face interview, but here are some specific video interview tips to help you get through it.

1. Research the format
It is very important to know what format the video interview will take, as the two main types create a very different experiences.

Live - this is similar to a regular face-to-face interview. You'll speak to the interviewer (or panel of interviewers) in real-time over a video connection using a service such as Zoom, Skype or Google Hangouts. Live videos enable employers to recreate the traditional interview format without requiring the candidate to travel to their office, meaning they can recruit from anywhere in world. Try to treat the conversation as you would an interview at the school's offices and build a rapport with the interviewer.

Pre-recorded - this is a much less personal experience as you won't be speaking to a real person. You'll be presented with pre-recorded or even written questions on screen, and then you'll have to record your answer on video, often to a time limit. This helps employers who have lots of candidates, as they can simply watch your answers later at a time that suits them - but it can be awkward if you aren't used to recording yourself. The pre-recorded format can feel unnatural to some people, this makes practice even more important. On the plus side, you will be able to do the interview at a time of your choosing up to a set deadline.

2. Dress appropriately
For your video interview, you should dress professionally—the same way you would for an in-person interview. It is still a job interview and this is your opportunity to give a professional first impression - this means dressing appropriately. You should wear the same outfit you would have chosen for a face-to-face meeting with the employer. Think about how your clothes will look on screen and avoid bright colours, busy patterns and stripes and opt for softer colors instead. If you are wearing a tie, wear a solid color rather than a patterned one. If you wear glasses, adjust the lighting in the room to reduce glare from the lenses.

Position the camera so that you are looking up slightly and centered on the screen. While it’s likely that the interviewer will only see your upper half, it’s still a good idea to wear smart trousers or a skirt in case you need to stand up for any reason.

3. Choose your location
Plan well in advance where you're going to do the video interview. Use a quiet location, where you won't be disturbed by noises and people. Make sure the room you choose is tidy and use a clean and simple background so that the recruiter focuses on you. You need to think about the lighting as it won't be a great interview if you can't be properly seen. To ensure you don't get a shadow either use natural light from a window or put a lamp in front of the camera and adjust the distance to get the best result. Close any software on your computer that might play notification sounds, and switch your phone to silent to guarantee you won't be distracted. Also, let everyone in the house know you're about to start the interview so they don't interrupt.

4. Positive body language 
Eye contact is very important during an in-person interview, and you want to convey that same level of connection during a video interview. Employers will be looking for you to make good eye contact, smile, listen and take an interest in what they're saying. To help you do this your camera should be at eye level and you should look into it rather than at the screen. When you’re listening, you can look back at the screen. Avoid slouching, moving too much or touching your face.

Throughout the interview, keep your mood upbeat and convey optimism with your body language. One way to achieve this is to have good posture. Sit in your chair with your back straight and your shoulders open. Feet can be planted on the floor and arms can rest in your lap or on the desk.

When you’re listening, nod and smile when appropriate to communicate that you’re giving them your full attention. Use hand gestures when it feels appropriate and keep your movements close to your body. Avoid fidgeting or letting your gaze drift away from the device.

For pre-recorded interviews, try to imagine you're speaking to a real person, maintaining your enthusiasm and positive body language. This can be harder to do when you're simply recording your answers.

If you're nervous it can be easy to rush what you're saying but remember that the employer wants to hear your answers. Speak clearly, and be careful not to interrupt as this is more easily done with the slight delay over the internet than during a face-to-face meeting.

5. Practice and tech set up
To get used to the technology and the body language of a video interview, it’s useful to do some practice video calls with friends or family members. Ask them to give you candid feedback about your appearance and eye contact. Run through it a few times until things start to feel natural. This practice can make all the difference in your interviews. Set aside time in your schedule in the weeks and days leading up to your interview—you’ll find your confidence growing as you become more comfortable in front of the camera.

On the day of your interview, review this checklist as you’re setting up:

• Ensure that you won’t be interrupted, either by locking the door or by alerting others that you can’t be disturbed (a note on the door of the room as well as the door to the outside may be helpful).
• Clear the desk space, except for a notepad and pen/pencil for you to take notes.
• Have a copy of your CV, the job description/advert and any other notes ready for you to reference.
• Set out a glass or bottle of water for yourself.
• Check that your webcam is working.
• Check that your audio is working.
• Close any windows, tabs or applications on your computer that you’re not using.
• Check your internet connection and make sure you’re not downloading anything in the background.
• Set your phone to silent.
• Check that the background behind you is neutral and free from clutter.
• Adjust the lights in the room. If things appear dark or dim, you may want to bring in an extra desk lamp to brighten the space.

If things go wrong
With technology, there’s always a chance things could go wrong. Here are some backup plans to have ready just in case.

If your video or audio stops working
Before the interview, ask the interviewer for a phone number where you can reach them if you experience technical difficulties. If the video cuts out, call them at that number. Ask if you can continue the interview by phone or if you can reschedule.
If noise interrupts the conversation
If noises (sirens, construction, etc.) interrupt your video interview, apologize for the interruption and ask for a few moments until the noise has subsided. You may want to mute the microphone if the noise is severe.
If someone enters the room unexpectedly
If family members, housemates or pets enter the room while you’re interviewing, apologize to the interviewer, ask for a few moments, mute your microphone and turn off your camera, and then step away to deal with the interruption. Make sure that the room is secure before beginning the interview again.

Follow up
As with any job interview, you should conclude by thanking the interviewer for their time. Send a follow-up thank you email later that day (or the next day if your interview was in the evening). This message may help build a stronger connection with your potential employer and help you progress to the next step.

Find out more...

Interview advice

CV guide

Applying for a job let alone being offered a job that you were not qualified in would have been unheard of a few years ago. However, this the stark reality facing many schools in England today; teachers teaching subjects they do not have a relevant degree in. Nearly 37.5 per cent of Physics teachers do not have any post-A Level qualification despite the fact thousands of children rely upon them to help them pass exams. This figure has risen by 4 percentage points in just 2 years and there are no signs of it stopping.

The recruitment crisis in Education has seen its biggest teacher shortages. 27.1 per cent of chemistry teachers and 26.3 per cent of maths teachers do not have a degree in the subject, both rising 3.2 and 3.9 percentage points respectively in two years.    

Computer Science/ICT, English, History, Geography, French and other languages are also the top subjects facing shortages. More than half of Spanish teachers did not study the language yet were teaching a class full of optimistic pupils. On a positive note subjects such as Drama, Media Studies and Citizenship have seen a rise in the number of teachers qualifying. John Pugh said: “The Government need to get a grip on this crisis. We need to stop allowing schools to be able to grab virtually anyone off the street and allow them to teach anything from physics to advanced maths.” “We need to support teachers rather than what the Government currently do – finding every opportunity to do the profession down.”

According to a survey by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) 68 per cent of staff said in the past year the number of professionals teaching subjects they were not qualified in had increased. The reason for this is down to a combination of the school funding crisis, lack of support and training particularly for Newly Qualified Teachers, shortage of teachers and growing class sizes. Schools are desperate and going to any lengths just to keep a float. As a result, the quality of teaching drops and the pupils learning begins to suffer. Members of the NUT have threatened to hold a national strike next term over budget cuts, job losses and pay caps.  

Most people, in and outside of education, agree that teachers, for the most part, should be and are great models for all learners. This is especially true for teachers imparting their knowledge to children and young people, who are, by virtue of their age, perhaps at their most impressionable and susceptible.

Given that apart from the parents, immediate family and close friends, teachers are the most visible presence in their lives, it’s fair to say that good or bad, you are in your role as an educator going to have some sort of impact on how they see and experience the world in the moment and beyond.

So, what do we exactly mean by a role model? What does this designation actually constitute? At a base level - a dictionary definition that is - it is someone who is “looked to by others as an example to be imitated”. That’s fairly accurate, but the not the complete picture.

A role model also implies being an individual whose behaviour, approach to life and the work they do - and the successes they enjoy - is appreciated by others. Moreover, its inspiring, it’s a standard that people respect and it’s enabling - role models challenge us to be better - to reach for the stars.

Needless to say, that weight of expectation is huge and while it isn’t certainly implied - a teachers are imbued with the responsibility to effectively teach their subject and ensure pupils are knowledgeable and skilled - it is still implicit.

For example, a professional who goes through the motions, hits all the objectives of their subject curriculum and achieves high grades is clearly doing a good job. They’re getting results through a prescriptive and effective approach. Yet, all the while, if lessons are dull, activities bland and enthusiasm absent, the learning experience is going to be less than memorable or impactful.

Conversely, an equally resourceful teacher - who imparts the right knowledge and insight, boosts standards and delivers exam success - can deliver a much more meaningful effect on pupils through more engaging and creative lessons. This goes beyond intended outcomes and that which can be easily quantified. It’s something deeper.

The thing to note is that teachers should actively acknowledge that they are role models and ensure that when it comes to teaching, engaging with students and interacting with other members of staff, that they are at the best, that they live by the values they subscribe to and lead by example. You have to, as a professional, be at the top of your game at all times.

It’s not easy being a role model, but it is so rewarding. Making a difference, whether that’s one pupil commenting on your lesson being the best they’ve had in ages, having a student write you a letter later in life thanking you for being a great teacher or seeing one of your former pupils succeed at their dreams, is all that counts.

For most people who have trained as a teacher, one of the most exciting things in their career will be the moment they can at long last leave the classroom and head...straight back into a classroom, but this time as the person leading lessons and taking charge. 

The first year can be the trickiest of all to master, however, and for teachers taking on their first class, it can be a matter of survival of the fittest and being strong willed. Here, we take a look at a few of the top tips for surviving your first year as a teacher. 

Set the rules

You probably want your class to like you, especially if you're a brand new teacher, but kids seem to be able to sense weakness, and you don't want them to think you're a pushover. It's always a good idea to start your first lesson by setting out a few ground rules. It lets the class know who's in charge, and establishes you as the authority figure. 

Never stop learning

In your first year in particular, you should remember that you never stop learning. You'll be surrounded by far more experienced teachers with a wealth of knowledge you could never get at university, so never be afraid to ask for help and advice from those who have it in plentiful supply. 

Don't be afraid to fail

There's scarcely a time in life when everything goes right for anyone, and it's no different when you're teaching. In your first year, you may feel a tendency to play it safe, but remember, there's no reason to be afraid of failure, and you should always try things out. If they don't work, call it a lesson learned. 

Know when to turn off

One of the biggest barriers to retention in teaching is stress. People will get themselves so worked up over getting everything done that they work too much and end up falling out of love with teaching. Remember that you need a good work-life balance to enjoy a good life in general, and know when to switch off. Don't overwork yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help when your workload gets too heavy. 

Be yourself 

You may know what sort of teacher you want to be, but you should never portray a personality that's not true to yourself. Your class will see right through it, and you'll never feel comfortable in this situation. Try to be yourself and just relax and you'll find lessons flow better and you'll enjoy your job far more than you would otherwise. 

Don't take it personally

Kids say things they don't mean all the time, and if someone in your class says they don't like you, it's important not to take this too seriously. Remember that kids are always trying to push boundaries and test authority with their behaviour, and if they are misbehaving or insulting you, it's rarely, if ever, personal. Just try to stay calm and do your best to resolve situations in a calm manner and you'll find you get the respect of the kids you deal with far easier.