The benefits of working with an education recruitment agency

2022-08-02

If you’re on the hunt for your next job in education, going via a teaching agency could provide a welcome boost. Not only can you take advantage of their contact book, often brimming with opportunities, but you can also benefit from enhanced continuous professional development and an array of other perks.


In this guide, we will explore common myths associated with educational recruitment agencies. We will go on to uncover the key benefits of partnering with an agency and how it can help you land your dream role.


First, let us enlighten you as we challenge the many myths surrounding educational recruitment processes:

Myth-busting recruitment agency processes


If you’re looking for a new role in the education sector, turning to an education recruitment agency could be just the ticket. But with false information to be found in all corners, what do you need to know to tell fact from fiction? Here, we bust the myths that surround recruitment agency processes and reveal how to go about finding your dream role.

1. ‘The only jobs available are what is online’


False! While there are hundreds of jobs listed online, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes in agencies. Via close connections with the schools they work with, education recruitment agencies are often the first to know when it comes to new vacancies.


This puts those they work with at a serious advantage, as individuals could be put forward for jobs in education that are yet to be publicly advertised. Education recruitment consultants should also be able to talk you through the job market in your region, providing a range of career advice and different opportunities.

2. ‘Education recruitment consultants just want to place me into roles quickly’


False! The majority of recruiters have long-standing relationships with schools and local councils, and they don’t want to risk damaging those relationships by rushing into things. The majority of contracts require new staff to be in a role for a minimum period of time prior to payment, so education recruitment consultants will want to ensure that you’re the right fit for the role you’re being put forward for.


Ultimately, it benefits all parties if you’re happy and successful in a new teaching job. This means doing a series of checks, getting to understand what you do and don’t want from a role, and ultimately not submitting an application on your behalf if it isn’t the right fit for you.

3. ‘Recruiters won’t help me after I get the role’


False! Not only do education recruitment consultants stay in regular contact with candidates, but they’re also on hand to provide useful guidance and advice. There’s also a range of carefully curated continued professional development courses available that can help you enhance your skills and stay fully up-to-date with the latest developments in the sector. Your recruiter is always just a phone call away.

4. ‘Education recruitment agencies are impersonal’


False! You might hear that recruitment agencies treat candidates like numbers, not offering any personalised support. But that’s not the full picture. In reality, many education recruitment agencies go above and beyond to provide individualised guidance to their candidates.


Education recruitment agencies help with everything from interview preparation to offering career advice tailored to your unique goals and experience. So, instead of feeling like just another applicant, you actually get the support that’s customised to help you succeed.

5. ‘Education recruitment agencies are only good for short-term fixes’


While education recruitment agencies typically offer interim roles and fill supply teaching jobs, many look to the longer term. Catering to your needs is incredibly important, and agencies will go that extra mile to ensure you’re in the best position possible to succeed the next time you step into a classroom. Consultants look at your skills and personality to ensure you’re suitable for a placement and can provide a range of resources to increase your likelihood of being a success.

Advantages of working with an education recruitment agency


Looking to secure work on your own can be both daunting and tiring. However, working with an education recruitment agency makes the process easier, as they’ll do the majority of the hard work for you. They’re often one step ahead of the market and will know which schools are recruiting, often meaning they’ll have a wide variety of jobs in education to select from.


Here, we explore why you might want to partner with an education recruitment agency and delve deeper into the assistance it can provide:

1. Putting your development first with valuable CPD courses


The majority of teaching agencies will place an emphasis on your continued professional development alongside any role you take. This can open doors to training and development opportunities that you may otherwise miss out on, enabling you to develop your knowledge in the process.


Given that a growing number of schools are looking for staff with good levels of CPD at the point of application, this can put you at an advantage.


Here are the amazing benefits of accessing the training and development resources, such as CPD courses offered by agencies:


  • Access to specialised training sessions to enhance your teaching skills.
  • Opportunities to stay educated on educational practices and methodologies.
  • Workshops and courses that can lead to additional certifications and qualifications.
  • Support for personal growth and career progression through targeted CPD programs.
  • Networking opportunities with other professionals through CPD events.

2. Experts in education recruitment


With in-depth knowledge of the schools where you could be placed and numerous different available roles, a teaching agency can often source the best role for you. They take into account your skills, qualifications and availability before providing openings for which you are suited. This reduces the need for speculative applications, enabling you to channel your time and energy into the roles that matter.


To summarise, here is a list of the key benefits of partnering with expert education recruitment consultants:


  • Tailored job matching based on your specific qualifications and experience.
  • Insight into the culture and expectations of potential schools.
  • Guidance on how to improve your CV and application materials for better success.
  • Advice on which jobs in education are the best fit for your career aspirations.
  • Reduced effort in searching for jobs, as agencies do the legwork for you.

3. Access to extensive networks and events


According to research, 80% of jobs are never posted publicly. Some schools may only advertise available roles via an agency, meaning you could miss out on roles as you are simply unaware that they exist. Note that many teaching recruitment agencies will have strong working relationships with schools that you simply wouldn’t be able to take advantage of otherwise.


Not only this, but education recruitment agencies often run and give access to networking events where you can meet potential employers, learn about new opportunities, and connect with other professionals in the education sector. These events provide a platform to build valuable relationships and gain insights that can help advance your career.


To break it down, here are the key benefits of tapping into an agency’s broad networks:


  • Exclusive access to job openings not advertised elsewhere.
  • Connections to a broad network of schools and educational institutions.
  • Invitations to job fairs and networking events hosted by the agency.
  • Early notifications about upcoming vacancies in your area.
  • Opportunities to build relationships with potential employers before applying.

4. Support with interviews, CVs, and lesson planning


a young child sits at his desk writing on a workbook

Using a teaching agency means you’ll always have someone to turn to for support when you need it, whether you have or haven’t yet landed your dream role. Agencies can provide guidance should you need advice on anything related to your role and jobs in education.


Around 63% of recruiters prefer resumes to be tailor-made to the job opening. Making sure you stand out and express your interest in the role within your CV is essential. Not sure where to start? That’s where a recruitment agency comes in. Education recruitment consultants have years of experience and expertise in tailoring CVs to education jobs to impress employers and highlight you as a valuable candidate tailored to the role.


Agencies can offer mock interviews, feedback, and tips to help you present yourself confidently and professionally. For lesson planning, consultants can connect you with resources and experienced mentors who can guide you in creating effective, engaging lesson plans to ensure you are well-prepared to demonstrate your abilities.


To round it up, here are the key ways an education recruitment agency can benefit you with interviews, CVs and lesson planning:


  • Support in writing and tailoring your CV to specific education jobs
  • Personalised interview coaching to help you make a strong impression.
  • Resources and tips for effective lesson planning and classroom management.
  • Feedback on mock interviews to improve your performance.
  • Continuous support and advice even after you’ve secured a position.
  • Assistance with preparing teaching demonstrations for interviews.

5. Quick, easy, streamlined process


If you’re looking for your next teaching role and are keen to earn money at the first possible opportunity, using a teaching agency should help speed up the recruitment process. As previously mentioned, they’ll be able to draw on those strong relationships to push through strong applicants. Consultants act as your communicators, meaning regular, timely updates avoid setbacks along the way.


On top of this, support with interview preparation, CVs and lesson planning also streamlines the applicant process and enables candidates to land their ideal role within a shorter time frame.


Let’s break it down to the key takeaways:


  • Faster placement in roles due to the agency’s existing relationships with schools.
  • Simplified application process with help from the agency.
  • Immediate access to a variety of job openings suited to your profile.
  • Less time spent waiting for responses and updates.
  • Continuous updates and communication throughout the hiring process.

Key takeaways: the benefits of an education recruitment agency

By partnering with an education recruitment agency, you can improve your job search journey and boost the likelihood of landing your dream role in the education sector. Agencies offer access to a wealth of opportunities, including jobs in education that may not be publicly advertised, thanks to their extensive networks and strong relationships with schools.

They provide personalised support, from tailored CV advice to interview coaching, ensuring you present yourself as the ideal candidate for each position. Agencies often also offer access to specialised training sessions, workshops, and courses that can help you stay updated with the latest educational practices.

Education recruitment agencies streamline the entire job search process, making it quicker and less stressful. Their in-depth knowledge of the sector and existing relationships with schools mean they can efficiently match you with suitable roles and teaching jobs to save you time and effort. With their ongoing support, from the initial application to post-placement guidance, you can search for your dream role with confidence, knowing you have expert backing at every step.

How Tradewind can support you in finding jobs in education

Luckily, Tradewind offers all of the above. We prioritise your training and development above all else, providing more certified CPD courses than any other education recruitment agency – 45 in total! With our extensive networks, in-depth industry knowledge, and valuable advice for anything from interviews to lesson planning, we offer outstanding solutions.

Contact us today to discover why 94% of our candidates would refer us to a friend!