Applying for positions in government schools

It is a requirement that all Government schools advertise positions through Recruitment Online on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website There are also some other ways schools will advertise and/or find expressions of interest. These include:

• School website
• Student teacher placements/internships
• Other schools/principals
• The Age, or local newspapers
• Mock interviews conducted by principals with final year education students at various universities.
• Referral from other schools.

The recruitment process

Once schools have advertised, the recruitment process may involve some or all of the following:

• Short-listed applicants have a phone interview with the Principal.
• Face-to-face interview with a panel of teachers including the principal, coordinator/s, assistant principals, neighbouring teachers, and school council presidents.
• Principals may contact referees and applicants’ supervising teachers.
• Following the interview, principals receive feedback from the staff and if no further interview is required, a selection is made.

What sets one candidate apart from another?

• Someone that has a genuine interest in working with young people.
• A belief that they can make a difference to education.
• Passion! This can be heard in a person’s voice.
• Experience with young people is a big bonus (paid or voluntary) - including camps, sports coaching etc. Extra experience shows interest and commitment.
• Resume - because of your resume is often the first point of contact, applicants need to highlight why they are the best person for the position.
• Good understanding of VELS, PoLT, learning and teaching styles, curriculum and assessment changes and learning strategies.
• Whether or not the applicant made contact with the school apart from sending in a resume.
• Whether their beliefs about education align with that of the school.
• Someone that sees themselves as a researcher, learner and facilitator who can ignite passion in children.

Extra advice:

Work experience. Try to get some diversity in your experience to broaden your skills. Don’t wait for the experience - create it!

• Volunteer work.
• Revisit the schools you were placed in, get involved in coaching teams or assisting with drama productions, helping out with after school programs.
• Keep in touch with your supervising teacher, perhaps use them as a mentor.

Applications

• In your application quote brief, positive examples of your practicum reports.
• When applying for specific positions spend plenty of time on the Key Selection Criteria.

Interviews

• Do your homework before an interview.
• Never bad mouth anyone - teachers know teachers from other schools!
• Think about how you can stand out in a crowd.
• Appearance is very important both on teaching rounds and in an interview.

Referees. Keep in contact with your supervising teachers - school referees are very important.