If you’re a recently qualified teacher who doesn’t have a job yet, do not worry. Contrary to what some people say, those who get their jobs earliest are not necessarily the best teachers.

I got my job first teaching job in the February of my training year. Now, three schools later, not one of them has asked me at interview when I first became employed as a teacher.

And, as an interviewer, I’ve never had a burning desire to find out. If someone has nailed the interview and the lesson, they will get the job. What does their origin story matter?

Over your training year, you will have enough to focus on, deciding what your teaching style is, embedding your subject knowledge, reading research, writing papers, observing, critically thinking, being a reflective practitioner, producing your resources, begging, stealing and borrowing plans, to name but a few. 

Some of you may even be maintaining a second job or running a household. And I haven’t even spoken about maintaining a social life.

So let me give you some pearls of wisdom when it comes to that initial teacher job hunt that may save your sanity, preserve your mental health and keep you firing on all cylinders.

Job-hunting tips for NQTs

Don’t freak out over the rejection phone call

If you don’t get the job, remember that it isn’t necessarily a reflection on you - the school may have been looking for something specific that you could not have offered. 

And the right fit school is still out there for you. 

On the call, try not to get caught up in embarrassment or awkwardness, and instead use the opportunity to ask if there is any constructive feedback that they can offer for you to take into your next interview

Do unto others as you want them to do unto you 

Be supportive of your fellow trainees, rather than seeing them as competition. Collaboration makes the world go round, so share what you have. 

If you’ve found an online resource or a lesson plan that has been invaluable during your interview process, share the love. If you found a great way to memorise pupils’ names very quickly, which you think helped you to develop a quick rapport, let them know.

You never know when you may need help and support one day. Hopefully your teaching career will be a long one, so make sure all colleagues past and present will want to continue helping you.

Embrace the S word 

There is no shame in doing supply. In fact, some of the best teachers are on supply for reasons that suit them, so ignore the stigma. 

If you do supply, you can let the school see how you could fit in there, allowing you to get to know them and them you, for potential future roles.    

If at first you don’t succeed... 

Keep going! We teach our pupils about resilience and the same principle applies here - you may have hit some stumbling blocks, but you can overcome setbacks and you know it.   

Don’t burn any bridges 

Even if you didn’t get the response you were hoping for, stay professional. The school may keep your details on file for next time there’s a job available. I know it might be tempting to tell them your real thoughts about the department, but keep negativity to yourself.

And for you early birds: celebrate, but don’t be smug.  There may be someone in the room who is drowning and seeing you nail it may be great for you but not for them.  

I always said that, for me, NQT stood for Not Quite There. I could do a lot, but I was still learning - particularly when it came to functioning without over-thinking.  

Remember, ultimately, if you stick at it, you will get that classroom, that class, that school that you crave, and when you do, I’ll be waiting for you to give you a virtual high five. 

Nikki Cunningham-Smith is an assistant headteacher in Gloucestershire