NQT Primary Teaching Jobs

Comhghairdeas, you are now a qualified primary teacher! You cannot wait to get that dream teaching job after years of study and hard work. Here are some things to consider when starting your job search.

Research and your Relevant Experience

It is a good idea to do a bit of research on the school you are applying for before your documentation. Most schools have active websites and social media platforms. You can use these to get a feel for the ethos and culture of the school. You will also get an idea of the school’s strengths and the desired outcomes for its programmes. You may see that there is a strong emphasis on sport, music or drama. Inspectors reports are also a very valuable document to reference - especially the recommendations it makes for improvement for the future. Show the school how you can help improve on them.

Do you have the relevant experience and interest to help the school in these aspects? Be sure to reflect this experience and willingness in your application.

 Key documentation

There is a bit of housekeeping to do to get all of your documentation in order. Here is what you will need:

• A dedicated email address with a professional name (this is not a requirement but it is no harm to have an email address for your professional teaching needs)

• Evidence of registration with the Teaching Council registration

• Proof of Garda vetting

• A Statutory Declaration, signed by a Practising Solicitor / Commissioner for Oaths / Notary Public / Peace Commissioner

  (This statutory declaration must be completed prior to a person being appointed to any teaching or non-teaching position with a school authority.)

• Written references ( you should also contact your referees to alert them that they may expect a call from a school leader.)

• Copies of certificates printed and ready.

The Application

Now that you have all the necessary paperwork in order, it is time to get the application right. Keep your CV clear and of an appropriate length. A page and a half to two pages of clear and concise information is much more impressive than three pages of repetition and padding.

Your SAF is also there to help you to highlight what you would bring to the school as a person. If you have special interests outside of school; be sure to list them in the Special Interests section of your SAF. Maybe you volunteer at a nursing home, this may have nothing to do with regular day-to-day school life, but it does reflect your caring nature. Likewise; if you like to keep fit, this may be very good for a school leader to know as you can foster the same attitude to fitness in the school.

Be Kind to Yourself

I remember when I started out as an NQT, the process to find and land that dream job was often stressful. Take the time to make the most of the opportunity your application affords you, to reflect who you are and to show potential employers why they should hire you.

If you need help with any aspect of your application, be it your CV, SAF or indeed, mock interview practice, do get in touch with me at hello@orladempseycoaching.ie