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Do You Work with Men?

Yes, I absolutely do.

While a lot of my messaging speaks directly to women (and for good reason), I also work with incredible male leaders - and I welcome it.

Many members of The Teacher Promotion Club are male and in The Confident Career Leader Programme - I have had men enroll too.

In fact, some of the most self-aware, strategic, and values-led clients I’ve supported have been men.

They’ve shown up with:

A belief in the power of coaching
A commitment to bettering themselves
…

Mar 28, 2025 08:15am

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP, #AP2, #applications, #AP positions, #career, #Confidence, #CPD, #CV Writing, #education, #DeputyPrincipal & FAQs

2 min read

“I Don’t Have Time” - Why That Might Be the Very Reason You Need a Coach

Let’s be real—life as a teacher is full on. Between the demands of school, family, initiatives, and everything else stacked on your plate, it probably feels like there’s barely enough time to breathe, let alone focus on your career.

So when you hear someone say, “Maybe you should get a coach,” it’s easy to think, “Yeah right. When exactly would I fit that in?”

I get it. Completely.

But here’s the thing no one tells you…

You don’t have to take time to develop your career.

But if you do? It w…

Mar 28, 2025 07:54am

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP, #AP2, #AP1, #applications, FAQs, #career, #careercoaching, #cpd, #CPD, #DeputyPrincipal, #Education & #Interview

3 min read

“Do You Do Job Applications for [X Type of Role]?” — Here’s My Honest Answer

This is a question I get asked a lot, so let’s clear it up with love and honesty.

Yes, I do support job applications… but only for teachers inside The Confident Career Leader Programme.

And I’d love to share why - not to gatekeep, but to genuinely give you the best experience possible.

Job Applications Aren’t Just Paperwork

Most people think it’s as simple as handing over a form and getting a quick edit. But that’s not how real support works - at least, not the kind that actually lands in…

Mar 27, 2025 08:27pm

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP, #AP2, #applications, #AP1, #careercoaching, #Education & #DeputyPrincipal

2 min read

Blog+ Podcast Quotes by Guest Speakers (2)

Backing Yourself for Success in The New Year

Welcome to 2025! I’ve been thinking a lot about how this year can be a turning point—not just for me, but for all of us who are ready to step into leadership with confidence and purpose. The idea of “backing yourself” has been at the forefront of my mind.

This isn’t just a phrase; it’s a mindset. It’s about believing in yourself, showing up with intention, and taking action, even when the path feels uncertain. Let me share a little about how I’m approaching this year, and maybe you’ll find someth…

Jan 10, 2025 08:00am

By Orla Dempsey

Under #Confidence, #careerchange, #AssistantPrincipal, #Interview, #Interview Preparation, #Growth mindset & #DeputyPrincipal

5 min read

Blog+ Podcast Quotes by Guest Speakers (1)

LAOS - Leadership Interview Questions Based on the 4 Domains

Here are 40 sample questions based on the Looking at Our Schools (LAOS) framework tailored for the Irish school setting:

Domain 1: Leading Learning and Teaching

How would you ensure the effective implementation of Síolta and Aistear in the school?
How would you monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning across all classrooms?
How do you ensure continuity and progression in literacy and numeracy?
Can you describe a time you implemented a whole-school initiative to improve student learni…

Dec 23, 2024 12:22pm

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP, #AP2, #AP1, #Career, #Interview questions, #Interview, #DeputyPrincipal, #Primary and Post Primary Interviews & #Principal

4 min read

Key Leadership Interview Questions and How I Mentor Clients to Answer Them

1. Tell me about a time you faced a challenging situation.

This is one of the most common leadership questions, and it’s designed to assess how well my clients can navigate tough situations on their own or while leading a team.

How I Approach This in the Mock Interview:

I start by helping my clients identify a meaningful challenge they’ve faced. Together, we focus on how they approached the problem, engaged their team, and ensured a positive outcome.
Then, I guide them to use the STAR method (Situ…

Dec 23, 2024 11:17am

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP, #AP2, #Interview, #Interview Preparation, #Interview questions & #Education

8 min read

There’s One Problem With Job Applications for Teachers in Ireland: They Are Not Showcasing the Real You

From my experience reviewing teacher job applications, teachers usually approach the task like it’s an academic exercise. They try to sound like scholars, crafting applications filled with jargon and theoretical insights.

And trying to prove that they are good enough.

But here’s the truth: schools don’t want academics; they want educators who are authentic, self-aware and passionate. They want to know not just what you’ve done, but who you’ve become because of those experiences.

If you’ve ever fe…

Dec 18, 2024 02:31pm

By Orla Dempsey

Under #jobapplications, #coaching, #Principal & #DeputyPrincipal

5 min read

What You Need to Know About Mock Interviews for Irish Teachers

Stepping into a leadership role in education is a dream that many teachers aspire to. Whether you’re aiming to become an Assistant Principal (AP post holder), deputy principal, or principal, the interview process can feel like a daunting hurdle. For educators in Ireland, balancing the growing demands of teaching, family responsibilities, and career growth, mock interviews can be a game-changer.

If you’ve been entrusted with important responsibilities in your school and dream of taking the next st…

Dec 18, 2024 01:44pm

By Orla Dempsey

Under #DeputyPrincipal, #Principal, #interviewconsultancy, #mockinterviews, #deputyprincipalinterview & #principalinterview

4 min read

Insights into the Necessary Job Seeking Skills - Peter and Gwenda Johnson

This blog post is inspired by my most recent episode of The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast. I spoke to Peter and Gwenda Johnson - a fantastic duo with tonnes of recruitment and job-seeking advice. Gwenda is a retired Primary School Principal and spent 9 years leading St Joseph’s - A Special School For Children with Visual Impairment.

Read on to uncover the stand-out points in our discussion.

You can listen to the podcast 👉 here.

The Importance of Tailoring Applications Both Peter and Gwe…

Sep 24, 2024 03:49pm

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP, #applications, #Career, #careercoaching, #Interview & #Interview Preparation

4 min read

Brand New Method to Understand The Four Domains to Simplify Your Interview Answers

Lately, I’ve been finding myself discussing the impact that teachers have in their role. Helping them to see things from an external perspective has been a real game changer in helping them articulate their skills and the difference they have made.

This blog explains why you should reflect on your impact as a school leader and gives you common statements I hear. See if you can think about the impact that these teachers may have had as a result!

Self-Awareness

Self-reflecting on the impact that you'…

Aug 13, 2024 08:00am

By Orla Dempsey

Under #AP1, #AP2, #applications, #CPD, #DeputyPrincipal, #Growth mindset, #How to SAF, #Interview Preparation, #Interview questions, InspiringSchools & #Interview

5 min read

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Blog

Do You Work with Men?

“I Don’t Have Time” - Why That Might Be the Very Reason You Need a Coach

“Do You Do Job Applications for [X Type of Role]?” — Here’s My Honest Answer

Job Applications Aren’t Just Paperwork

Backing Yourself for Success in The New Year

LAOS - Leadership Interview Questions Based on the 4 Domains

Here are 40 sample questions based on the Looking at Our Schools (LAOS) framework tailored for the Irish school setting:

Domain 1: Leading Learning and Teaching

Key Leadership Interview Questions and How I Mentor Clients to Answer Them

1. Tell me about a time you faced a challenging situation.

There’s One Problem With Job Applications for Teachers in Ireland: They Are Not Showcasing the Real You

What You Need to Know About Mock Interviews for Irish Teachers

Insights into the Necessary Job Seeking Skills - Peter and Gwenda Johnson

Brand New Method to Understand The Four Domains to Simplify Your Interview Answers

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