I have been applying for permanent teaching positions at the jobs@det website for about 2 or 3 months. When I first started, it all seemed like a mystery!
At this stage of the game, only 10% of all available teaching jobs in NSW are advertised. The other 90% of jobs are given to that mysterious employment program that involves you being given a number and waiting for it to get to the top of the list. After teaching for 5 years, I need to say don't sit around and wait.
And although much of it remains mysterious (and I still don't have a permanent job) here is a rundown of (in my experience) what happens when you apply for a teaching job via the jobs@det website:
- You see the job on the jobs@det website. You apply.
- The three days after the due date are the important days. This, I believe, is when you are going to get an idea if you really are being considered for the job or not.
- If you are being considered, your references will be called before you are spoken to. They may let another day or two pass after speaking to references before they speak to you about interview or reject you.
- If you are rejected you will be sent an email.
- If you are not rejected, you will be called. I have found that most of these calls take place at lunchtime or after work (3-6:30pm.)
- If you are called to interview the interview will then normally take place in the following 3-5 days.
Lately I have been told that each advertised job is getting between 85-120 applications. You should feel very proud if you make it to interview!
Teacher shortage, huh?