I have been asked to attend an interview and have been told that I may have to teach part of a lesson. Should I be given more detail before the day?

It would be extremely poor practice if you arrived on the day and had not been told exactly the age range you were going to be teaching, how many would be in the class and how long the lesson would be. You should certainly be given more detail before the day. The purpose of practical sessions in interviews is for members of the panel to assess how well you interact with pupils, whether you ask probing, stretching questions and if you can judge the ability of pupils and adjust your delivery accordingly. The usual format for this is for the interviewee to take a small group of pupils for approximately 20 minutes.
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I have attended several interviews without success and feel sure that my nerves affect my performance. How can l remedy this?

Preparation can help to relieve anxiety. Find out as much about the school as you can before the interview by looking at its website and Ofsted reports, and by closely analysing the information the school sends you. Pay attention to your diet for the few days prior to the interview and aim to avoid stimulants such as caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, sugar and nicotine, as these can make you feel 'hyped' and contribute to feelings of anxiety. Use positive self-talk so that negative thinking doesn't take hold. Affirmations such as, 'I perform very well in interviews' or 'I answer the questions I am asked with ease' can work wonders, as can visualising yourself being successful. Keep a bottle of Bach 'Rescue Remedy' or something similar (available at many wholefood outlets) in your pocket and take as directed; it can be extremely calming. A massage the day before an interview will also help to relax you. If this doesn't work, ask your tutor from your ITT provider or a trusted friend or relative to take you through some mock interviews.
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I have not managed to secure employment for September. Will this affect my career prospects?

Not at all, providing you use the time gaining additional experience. Once your financial position is sorted out (you could get a temporary part-time job, or sign on), you could organise some voluntary work in a local school. If there is a 'Small School' near you, voluntary work there would give you valuable insight into the alternatives available. You could also look into special schools. Add any additional experience you gain while job seeking to your CV and Career Entry Profile. When you do find a job and start mid-year, find out at the interview what the implications will be for your induction year - when will you be deemed to have started and completed your induction? Will you be given any additional support? Sometimes delays like this can be a blessing in disguise. You may not be in full-time employment, but what additional experience has it allowed you to get? You will probably find you will go for very different jobs as a result.
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I have been offered a job but, as a mature entrant to the profession with ten years experience in industry, I am not happy with the salary I have been offered.

As an NQT you are entitled to be placed at point M1 on the salary scale. However, your school has the discretion to reward you for previous experience that it deems to be relevant, and in principle, there is no restriction on where on the scale you can be placed up to point M6. Thereafter, and depending on satisfactory performance, you are entitled to automatic progression up the scale each year (up to point M6), providing you have worked in the previous year for at least 26 weeks as a teacher in employment. Progression beyond point M6 is performance related, and not automatic. Your school will have a salaries policy that will cover the award of points for non-teaching experience and it really is at the discretion of your employers as to what points you will be awarded. However, your union will be able to offer advice on what you should be paid and may also offer to negotiate an improved salary on your behalf. This is probably your best option.
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Having completed my training, I am not sure whether I want to enter the teaching profession. What are my options?

Having got this far, it would be a good idea to complete successfully an induction period. At least you won't have that ahead of you in future if you subsequently decide to teach. This would also give you a greater insight into the profession, as being a teacher in your own right is very different from being a student. Aim to get a job in a school other than where you did your training for a greater breadth of experience. However, if you are sure that teaching is not for you, there would be little point in forcing yourself to pursue a path that is so obviously wrong. Take some careers guidance from your ITT provider for ideas on what could be your next step. Above all, view your decision positively. If you have cause for regret, perhaps it would be better to complete an induction period.
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I have been offered a job but have another interview in a school in which I think I would rather work in a few days. What can I do?

This is a difficult situation. It is unlikely that the school that offered you a job will wait for you to be offered another and then weigh up the odds! You can ask for time to consider the first offer, or be totally honest and explain your dilemma. Unfortunately, the most likely outcome of this sort of situation involves taking an empty-handed leap of faith and rejecting the first offer in the hope that you will pass the second interview. With so much resting on the induction period, it is really important that you choose your first post wisely. Take heart in the fact that you have been successful at one interview.
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I have been asked to undertake a significant amount of preparation during the summer holiday before my first term. Is this normal?

The expectations of newly qualified teachers regarding preparation before they begin their first term vary tremendously from school to school. A general 'rule' to follow is that at least 75% of any holiday should be just that, pure holiday, once you have started work. You will probably not be paid for the holiday before your first term so if you need to earn money during that period you may not have time for schoolwork. However, you may feel more relaxed about starting your new job if you have done some preparation. The key is balance. If you feel uncomfortable about the demands that have been made of you before you are on the pay role, simply say that you have had to arrange other work commitments but will make sure you have read and digested all the necessary handbooks. You do need to think about the implications for your future workload if you are prepared to work for free!
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I would like to do some supply teaching when I qualify as I am not sure where I want to work. Will this count towards my induction period.

Supply work can complicate your induction period and it is best to avoid it in this important year if at all possible. However, if you do take on supply engagements, they need to be of a term or more in length to count towards your induction period and you may only do this for a year and a term from the time you are awarded QTS. Thereafter, all engagement must count towards induction. Supply teachers should be treated as permanent employees for the purposes of induction. Advice to NQTs must therefore be to avoid supply teaching until the induction period has been satisfactorily completed if this is possible.
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Do I need a DfES number in order to teach in England?

No. The numbers are issued by the DfES Pensions Team to teachers paying into the pension scheme. You just need Qualified Teacher Status and to be registered with the General Teaching Council in order to teach in England.
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Extracted from The Newly Qualified Teacher's Handbook

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