Top 5 things to include in a job application for ECTs
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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.
How Tradewind Recruitment support ECTs during their induction period
Keep in touch with your local recruitment consultant during your ECT induction period and they will be able to help you with any questions you have from lesson planning to planning your journey to your school! Check out our top tips for ECTs, our favourite resources you can use, how to manage behaviour in the classroom and how you can keep organised during your first year.
Looking for a new ECT role? We have hundreds of vacancies available.
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