The School Corridor Tatler

The STAR interview technique is used by interview panels nowadays to assess the candidate's competency for the job advertised.In the previous post  here  , I discussed the concept of competency and underscored the fact that schools need highly competent senior management team members. It is for this reason that many SGBs have shifted to the competency-based tests to help them find the most suitable person for a senior post. Dilemma: What if the Interviewee outsmarts the Interview panel? That article generated a healthy response amongst my Facebook friends, particularly those who are teachers or heads of schools.The key thread of the comments was that interviewees may be so well rehearsed that a false picture may be painted. The interview panel would then be faced with a dilemma: how much of the interview responses would be factual? What if the interviewee outsmarts the panel? Would those who have rehearsed well not have an advantage over those candidates who are too ...

Schools have switched to the competency-based interview question model  Nowadays most interview committees prefer to pose competency-based questions so that they can find someone who matches the job and role that person has to fulfill in their school. Schools are complex, fast-paced organizations where many people have to work in concert to meet their various objectives. Schools need highly effective, competent senior management leaders who can build strong, healthy teams and then lead these teams cooperatively to achieve their goals. So, what is competency ? Why is this attribute a critical factor for leaders, especially those who are in charge of managing schools? Perhaps a scenario can help set the scene for us. Here is the scenario. You believe you are a highly skilled, effective administrator. When you are assigned a task, you will complete the task well and meet the deadline IF the task depends on solely on your input. However, when the various aspec...

Mind your language in a job interview. I have observed many interviews for teaching positions where the candidates  use a language register or style that disadvantages them in an interview. Using technical language inappropriately  During an interview, the interview panel or committee has to understand what you are saying. They have to evaluate your response and award a rating. If the panel does not understand you, then you are going to be the loser.  Let’s get back to my example of a teaching job interview. In South Africa, for example, school governing bodies are responsible for the recruitment and selection of teachers. Usually, the selection and interview committee consists of parents who are not in the education sector. They often do not understand the academic terms and acronyms that we use freely in staff meetings or in teaching journals. Frankly, they will not be interested in your display of jargon that adds nothing to the situation. You ne...

This is the fourth post in the blog series, " Job Application Smarts" .  In this post we will discuss how you can ensure that your job application works in your favour.  The previous two posts focus on the design of a power CV that can help you to be shortlisted for an interview. As mentioned in the earlier posts, employers require that you fill in a paper application or an online application for the job advertised. In both cases, the organizations will require you to complete a customized job application form. Paper-based vs e-recruitment job application forms. If the business still requires paper-based job applications, you should fill in the application form and provide a curriculum vitae as well. If the organization has an online application form, as in the case of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)'s e-recruitment portal,  you will notice that the application form and the CV have been merged. Either way, you should ensure that all the mandatory fie...

Crafting a relevant CV is hard work. You will have to spend hours brainstorming and rewriting your CV a few times until your CV is a crisp, accurate profile of your knowledge and skills sets for the jobs you want.   I have seen many poor CVs of teachers who apply for Senior Management positions at schools. Many of these CVs reflect that not much thought was given to the relevance and the impact of the CV, especially in the area where the applicant has to demonstrate his (her) knowledge and experience in relation to the job requirements. Most of the applicants fill their CVs with fancy words and lists of experiences that are meaningless for the specific job. In short, there is more fluff than substance.   Elements of a good CV Your CV is your sales pitch. It is your ‘voice’ that will engage with the Selection committee who will decide if you are worthy of that sought after interview. Your CV should be job specific. Tailor your CV to match the job requir...

Today we are going to show you how to create your web-based curriculum vitae on the Western Cape Education Department's e-recruitment website. Are you ready? When was the last time you updated your curriculum vitae? Now that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has its e-recruitment system, you can finally have your own web-based curriculum vitae. Because your curriculum vitae (CV) is stored on the E-recruitment portal, you will be spared many headaches trying to revise your personal profile. You can update your skills, experience and knowledge regularly. And should that desired post become available online, you will be ready to press the 'send' button in a flash. Many teachers may argue that they don't need a relevant CV because they are happy in the post or at the post level they currently occupy.  I can think of three reasons why you should have a CV or a personal profile. Three benefits of creating your own web-based curriculum vitae. 1.     ...

Do you need to sharpen your job application skills or do you just want to update that old curriculum vitae that has lost its edge?  Well, you are at the right place to help you lift your career search. I have written a blog series on JOB APPLICATION SMARTS . These guidelines will  help you to create your web-based curriculum vitae and be ultra ready to face that job interview. The themes of the Job Applications smarts are as follows: Reflecting on the type of school leaders we need to transform schools. This post explores the need for transformational school leaders. Far too many Heads of school are still driven by rules and regulations. When aspiring teachers apply for senior management positions at schools, it is critical that they understand the critical role they need to play as social change agents.  Creating and uploading your web-based curriculum vitae on the WCEDs e-recruitment website. You are given step-by-step guidelines on how ...