Leaving University is an exciting yet daunting concept – one the one hand, you’re buzzing to start the next chapter of your life! But on the other hand, there is a great deal of stress that comes with graduation… Such as finding a job. Despite all of your efforts, it is not always easy to secure a teaching role (or at least one that actually suits your needs), and spending hours sifting through jobsites looking for the perfect position can leave you feeling disheartened. Combine that with the stress of final assignments, exams and placements and you’ve got the recipe for a concoction that will make you want to wrap yourself up in your duvet and never make contact with the outside world again (you’re not alone, don’t worry!).
By registering with teaching agencies (companies who specialise in securing jobs for teachers and support staff), you can make your transition from University student into employed teacher a less turbulent and more pleasant experience. We have put together a handy guide detailing three vital factors to consider when it comes to registering with teaching agencies, to ensure that you know how to get the most out of them!
1. Choosing the Right Teaching Agencies
When beginning your post-University job hunt, it’s easy to get sucked into the swirling vortex of jobsites and teaching agencies that are available online. Before you know it, you have registered with 12 different companies and you can no longer keep track of where you have or haven’t signed up to. Your inbox fills with job notifications that often have nothing to do with what you’re actually looking for and you spend far too long moving them to your junk folder. Sounds like a nightmare, right? It is (trust us, we’ve been there). The best thing to do is research the teaching agencies that you’ve found BEFORE you sign up. Check to see whether they offer opportunities for professional development (Simply Education offer FREE CPD courses to registered candidates) and look at any testimonials that are available. Decide on 3 or 4 teaching agencies that you feel match up best with your values and then register with these agencies only. Keep your circle small!
2. Role Specifications
Some agencies specialise solely in permanent recruitment, however you will find that most agencies recruit for day-to-day, short-term and long-term supply as well. It is important to consider what role types you are looking for before going to interview – are you open to supply work or do you only want permanent roles? There are many benefits to supply work, especially when first starting out in teaching, but there is a higher sense of security in permanent recruitment. Taking some time to consider what works best for your current situation will help you to make an informed decision that feels right for you. When you register with your chosen teaching agencies you will be able to tell them what type of work you’re looking for and whether you want to be full-time or part-time, and then they will find roles that fit your specifications – sorted!
3. Compliance Procedures
Once you have registered with your chosen teaching agencies you will then need to pass their compliance checks – this is often referred to as the vetting process. By law all teaching agencies will have some sort of compliance procedure in place, however not all procedures are created equally! All agencies should ask you for certain documents (such as proof of ID) but most agencies will also ask you for more specific documents. Please do not be put off by the idea of having to provide extra information or documentation for certain teaching agencies – they are only trying to cover every base possible as a means of protection, not only for schools but also for yourself. Once your file passes compliance you will then be able to be put forward for jobs, and so the sooner you provide the requested information, the better. You don’t want to miss out on your dream role just because you forgot to bring in some documentation!
We hope our guide to registering with teaching agencies has increased your awareness of post-graduation recruitment options, and we wish you the best of luck with your job search. Speaking of job searching, if you are looking for teaching work after graduation then why not register with Simply Education? We can help you get your foot on the teaching ladder this September, and with a selection of FREE CPD COURSES available over the holidays, there’s never been a better time to join us!