CV & Interview Tips

Getting invited to an interview is a genuine milestone, but it also raises the pressure. Knowing the kinds of teacher interview questions you are likely to face, and how to structure strong answers, can make the difference between feeling thrown by a question and answering it with real confidence. Teaching interviews are rarely just a chat. Schools want to see evidence, not just opinions, and many questions are designed to draw out real examples from your placements or previous roles. Teaching Vacancies advises preparing answers to common questions in advance, along with having your exam certificates and other evidence ready to bring with you.

Choosing an education recruitment agency is not a decision to make lightly. With staffing shortages, safeguarding responsibilities and budget pressures all weighing on school leaders, the right agency partnership can be the difference between a smooth staffing year and a constant scramble to cover classrooms. Before signing up with any agency, schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) should be asking practical, specific questions to establish whether that agency is genuinely the right fit for their needs.

In education interviews, whether as a teacher, teaching assistant, SEND specialist, or support staff, one of the most frequently asked, and most nerve‑wracking questions is: ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’. Schools ask this not to catch you out, but to understand how you reflect, adapt, and grow in a professional setting. This question often feels challenging, but it is an opportunity to showcase your self-awareness. If you undersell yourself, you risk looking unprepared. If you oversell, you may appear arrogant.

What Employers Actually Want to See on a CV When Applying for a Job as a Teaching Assistant. If your goal is to be a teacher with your own classroom, then a job as a teaching assistant is an excellent place to start. However, because working with children requires a particular skill set, personality, and professional experience, it’s not the easiest job to land.

What do recruiters want to see on applications for SEN jobs?. The process of applying for an SEN(D) role is similar to applying for other jobs in schools, but there are different skills and attributes which you should focus on in order to maximise your chance of being selected for interview. These include empathy, resilience, and an ability to work in a cross-functional team.

Recruiters and schools who work with us suggested the following questions as the first ones to think about before attending an interview…. These go to the heart of what makes SEN(D) education different – it is focused on ensuring that children with special needs are given equal opportunity to learning.

How to create a ‘stand-out’ Cover Letter for a SEN role. In this blog we outline the key points to bear in mind when preparing a cover letter. We will help you produce a persuasive and effective letter that will catch and hold the attention of the recruiter! So, whether you’re just starting out on your job search or are gearing up for your job interview , read on!