Top 5 things to include in a job application for ECTs

Getting that first teaching role is a key landmark for any early careers teacher, enabling you to take those initial steps into the world of education. But knowing what to include in an application, especially if the process feels new, can be a challenge.

Here we explore what ECTs should include within their CVs and cover letters to ensure they give themselves the best chance of making a great first impression. Ultimately, this can help to land an interview, as your application is your opportunity to really stand out from the crowd.

1. Have you made it abundantly clear why you want the role?

It may sound obvious, but always make sure that your enthusiasm for the role shines through in your application. Refer to the role by name early on, mention where you saw it advertised, and detail why it appeals to you. Talk about specific parts of the job description that are of interest, but at the same time don’t feel the need to exaggerate, as such claims could be easily picked apart during an interview.

2. Have you included all key information you might need?

Your application for an ECT role is your chance to sell all that is great about you to a potential school or hiring manager. Think about what might set you apart from somebody else – from where and when you gain qualified teacher status, through to any relevant experience you might have. This is especially true if you have very specific classroom experience, such as having worked with children with special educational needs and disabilities during your training.

On top of this, be sure to include your academic qualifications, including GCSE results in key subjects such as English, maths and the sciences. Any knowledge of learning platforms or technologies which could enhance teaching should also feature prominently in your application.

3. Have you used the right examples?

When discussing any experience, be it in the classroom or elsewhere, it should be backed up with at least one example (or more if possible). As a general rule to help enhance your application, it shouldn’t include a single point that doesn’t have an example attached to it.

Give careful consideration to whether the examples you include are the best ones to use too. You’ll undoubtedly have a number of different options from your time in training to discuss, so when you read back through your application, make sure the ones you have chosen back up what you are trying to say.

4. Is the CAR approach seen in your examples?

Often used in interviews as a means of ensuring a question is adequately answered, an ECT can also use the CAR (Context, Action, and Result) approach in their application. Use clear and concise language to provide the context of any situation, before detailing the actions you took and the results. This is a fantastic way for you to showcase the impacts you’ve had in the classroom environment to date and to highlight what makes you the ideal candidate for a role.

5. Have you used simple language throughout?

As an ECT, it’s highly likely that you won’t have a great deal of practice when it comes to applying for roles. However, the key thing to keep in mind is readability. Do your answers make sense when reading back, or could you structure them differently to have a greater impact? Are some key outcomes also missing?

Make sure you look at an application several times before sending it, not least to ensure that any errors are amended. If you can, try to check it on two different days, but if time doesn’t allow, always proof read it one final time just before sending, as grammatical and spelling inaccuracies will count against you.

If you’re on the hunt for an ECT role, remember to keep your application simple. It should tell a school all they need to know, answer any questions posed and be packed with shining examples of teaching best practice. Ultimately, this should ensure that you’ve given yourself the best possible chance of landing an interview.