Congratulations! The past few years have been challenging to say the least. Schools are always at the eye of the storm, and trainee teachers can't help but be affected by what else is going on.  We hope you've enjoyed your experience as a trainee. Why not try our tips for turning things around and making sure you have the best possible start to your teaching career? Make the most of technology Keep in touch with your mentor, course contacts and colleagues. Maintaining contact will allow you to monitor your professional progress, tick off personal objectives, and provide much-needed support.  Make the most of the newly invigorated digital resources to keep on top of CPD opportunities. Think about what free time you have, and realistically assess what you have the time and energy to achieve. Extend your subject knowledge through podcasts, online research or documentaries and if you learn something new or even look at your subject from a different angle it will be time well spent. Use downtime effectively When you’re teaching full time it can feel like there is no time to reflect on what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s a scheme of work, particular lesson plans or departmental processes, taking this opportunity to reflect on what you’ve done, and where you’re going with things could be invaluable. Find your perfect job Assessing the teaching job market may not seem easy right now. It’s pretty hard to read. Lots of teachers decided to put their job search on hold until things settled down. Schools have been juggling a whole lot of variables while they try to work out what their staffing requirements will be - sometimes on a day to day basis.  In our experience, schools, like their teachers, would rather be prepared. There are always good jobs out there, and we can help you find the right one. Research and preparation Preparation is key. Take some time to get your CV up to scratch. Even if you’re asked to complete an application form, thinking this through and having the information at your fingertips will save time in the long run. Take a look at our CV guide here.   Don’t forget the value of desk research – you can find out a lot of useful information online. It is, of course, sensible to start with the most recent Ofsted report and what it has to say about your area of interest. Googling the school is also a good idea. One of our teachers discovered that a new head caused a stir when he imposed new school uniform standards – and used isolation and detention penalties to enforce them. Whilst the coverage was 'colourful' at times, it allowed the teacher to get a flavour of the school, its values and behaviour management policies. You’ll be able to build on your desk research at interview, but remember that knowledge is power when you’re choosing a new school. Remote interviews Many of our client schools are now comfortable with video interviews. For candidates, the most important thing is to grasp the opportunity to demonstrate your strengths. You might not be able to deliver an interview lesson, but there's a good chance you'll be asked questions about your classroom style and how you would handle certain situations. Find out more about how to succeed at long distance interviews on our overseas page. And finally, do you have any questions? Avoid your mind going blank at the end of an interview. Have a list of questions which you would like to have answered. Most ECTs will want to know how schools are planning to support their young teachers at this time and how their mentor programme is structured. Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!

Producing a good CV should be like answering a well-revised exam question. It’s ok – even encouraged – to show off!  Believe it or not, this doesn’t come naturally to everyone… Even if you’re just starting out on your teaching career, it’s important to remember how much you have to offer.  When you’re writing your CV the objective is to point that out clearly and succinctly.  Your CV will often be one of many on a recruiter’s desk which is why brevity and impact are so important. Where to start Just like that exam question – there’s rarely a ‘right’ answer when it comes to CVs, but there are certain key points which should not be missed: Start with the obvious (not everyone does)! Your name and contact details need to be clearly presented at the top of your CV.  It’s also useful to add them to any subsequent pages – perhaps as a footer. Personal statement: This is the equivalent of the firm handshake when you meet someone for the first time.  You should use this short paragraph to introduce yourself, outline what you have to offer, what you’re looking for, and give a flavour of your personality.  Work experience: start with the most relevant, most recent first. If you’re applying for a teaching job, it would be sensible to prioritise your teaching experience and work placements.  An employer will definitely be interested in your classroom skills, but don’t forget that holiday and or weekend work also demonstrate work-readiness.  Include your job title, the name of the organisation, the dates you were employed and key responsibilities.  Bear in mind that these points may be picked up at interview – be honest, enthusiastic, and make sure you have interesting things to say about them! Education: list the dates, type of qualification and your results.  If you’re new to teaching, you might choose to move this section up on the first page of your CV – it’s all about playing to your strengths.  if you have more educational achievements than work experience, placing an emphasis on this section is a good idea. Achievements: this gives you the opportunity to demonstrate how you achieved the skills you need to be a strong candidate. Listing relevant skills and achievements and providing evidence through examples will enhance the credibility of your application.   Hobbies and interests: not an essential part of your CV, but this section could be a ‘nice to have’. Relevant and genuine interests in sport, music or drama (to name a few) could make you an attractive addition to any staff room and could be a source of common ground with an interviewer.  Don’t forget, though, this will affect the recruiter’s perception – think carefully about what your hobbies say about you! Extra information: anything that explains gaps in your career, or a change of direction, etc. should be included. Getting the tone right Choose a clear, straightforward layout that is easy to read.  You’ll want to come across as an organised professional, and your CV should reflect those qualities.  Section headings such as Work Experience, Education, etc. should be consistent and should be ordered logically.   Most CVs should be no longer than 2 sides of A4.  This means space is at a premium; prioritising your information and making careful vocabulary choices is essential.  Think about what each example is demonstrating and start sentences with ‘wow’ words to set the scene.  Positive openers could include assertive, confident, detail-conscious, flexible, hard-working, innovative, precise, pro-active, and responsible. It is easy to fall into The Apprentice trap when you’re writing your CV – anyone can claim to be a ‘goal driven multi tasker with excellent communication skills’.  The trick is to avoid clichés and back up your claims with examples, and make sure you’re telling the truth. Once you have drafted your CV check your spelling, grammar and consistency of layout.  Room for improvement Remember that your CV is a fluid document.  Keep it up to date and be prepared to tweak and tailor.  The point of your CV is to highlight why you’re a strong candidate, what makes you stand out from the crowd and what you have to offer in that particular role.  Check your potential employer’s website – if a school focuses on their behaviour management policy or their enrichment offering, for example, highlight something relevant from your interests or experience to show that you’re a good fit. Help is at hand Whatever stage you have reached in your career, a second opinion can always be useful. Hourglass consultants are CV experts.  We also know our schools and what they are looking for.   Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!

It may not be rocket science – or even A-level physics – but taking the right first step in a career is crucial. The right choice builds solid career foundations, but get it wrong, and life in your first year of teaching suddenly becomes a whole lot harder. There’s no getting away from it, finding the right school does take a little effort. If you do your homework though, and with a little help from your friends at Hourglass, you should go right to the top of the class! Where do you want to be? Location is a good starting point. Being close to family and friends may provide a valuable support network during your ECT induction. Conversely, a change in location could be liberating – the perfect start to the next phase in your life. If you’re in a large town or a small village, your location will have a direct impact on the demographic of a school. It will also have a bearing on your daily experience. Think about what your commute will be like? Is there suitable accommodation close by? Can you see yourself fitting in? ‘Inner city’ schools often make headlines. These days the stories are as likely to be about successful leadership, accountable teachers and rich cultural experience rather than bad behaviour and poor results. For some ECTs these schools offer a stimulating, structured and worthwhile learning experience and an excellent start to life as a teacher. You’ll never guess what… You can tell a lot about a school from its local reputation. It’s sensible to start with the most recent Ofsted report and what it has to say about the area of the curriculum you’re most interested in.  Googling the school is also a good idea. One of our teachers discovered that a new head caused consternation by imposing new school uniform standards – and enforcing them through isolation and detention penalties. Whilst the coverage was colourful at times, it allowed the teacher to get a flavour of the school, its values and behaviour management. Whether you agree about the issues or not, when you’re choosing your ECT school, knowledge is power, and the more you know about what you’re getting into the better. Transparency Before you set foot in the school, the chances are that the information you can gather is second hand. When you meet staff members – particularly at interview, it’s important to take advantage of that opportunity. Ask the questions not covered by Ofsted. How do teachers view their workload? What support can an ECT expect? How are students assessed? What are the marking policies in the department? It might even be worth knowing if members of the department socialise together at all. Keeping an open mind There’s no doubt that job hunting can be daunting. There are lots of factors to consider. Remember to take a deep breath and use the self-knowledge and experience you’ve already developed. Weeding out unsuitable jobs with good research and common sense means you’ll be able to focus on the really promising opportunities. Don’t forget, your Hourglass consultant will be able to guide you through this process. We have spent years getting to know our schools and their people. Most importantly, we know which schools are best for ECTs. And we’re here to help.   Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!

We certainly hope you enjoyed your studies, and that you're looking forward to the next step in your career.  How are you feeling about the prospect of a ‘proper’ teaching job?  On the plus side, you’ll be able to develop your own teaching style without the pressure of constant observation and assessment and very soon you’ll be memorising the names of your very own students.  This, of course, is what you’ve been preparing for.  But that doesn’t mean the thought of ‘going it alone’ isn’t daunting.  You’ll have a heavier teaching load and increased reporting and pastoral responsibilities – and that’s what it’s all about. Recent changes to the England's teacher recruitment and retention strategy mean that we're no longer talking about NQTs (newly qualified teachers) - instead, the early career framework underpins a two-year induction period for ECTs' (early career teachers’) professional development. The aim is to improve the training and development opportunities available to teachers. While there will be support in place, and overseen by a tutor and a mentor for each ECT, there's plenty you can do to help yourself settle in to your new career. Wonders of the web  There’s lots to consider when you’re starting the next phase in your career.  Getting your CV ready and choosing the right school is important, and so is knowing what to expect of your Induction programme.  Forewarned is forearmed, and preparation time will never be wasted.  It's not news to anyone, but as long as you have an internet connection, the world is your oyster.  There is no problem that you can’t ask Google about, literally thousands of teachers use Twitter every day and there's lots of information for ECTs online. Lesson plans At Hourglass, we hear a lot about our teachers’ lesson plans.  It’s as if they represent all the highs – and the lows – that a teacher can experience in a classroom!  We’re told that some of the most enjoyable teaching moments happen when the group is off-plan, and the teacher is winging it – in the best possible way.  But one thing is sure, it takes an extremely confident teacher to be happy to go into a classroom underprepared.  Use materials that can be easily adapted for use with your classes. There's no need to reinvent the wheel: Experienced teachers have been creating lesson plans for years, and they're often incredibly generous with their resources. There are over 900,000 resources made by teachers for teachers on tes.com, and another source of inspiration could be Barclays Life Skills.  Keep in touch If you’ve had a good relationship during your teacher training, it is definitely worth keeping in touch with your faculty network. You may have taken part in a structured mentoring programme, and it may be that you could continue that in a more informal way. Tutors and mentors are likely to be flattered when you drop them a line, and most people would be happy to help or point you in the direction of the answer to your question. Second, and perhaps more importantly, identify your teaching tribe.  This could be your WhatsApp group from college or handpicked newly qualified teachers at your new school.  Finding people who are facing the same day to day issues can be (almost literally) a lifesaver!  Besides, there will be hundreds of things you want to ask and share that will only be truly appreciated by those who have lived through what you’re experiencing.   Online chatrooms and forums mean that even if your peers can’t help, someone will be able to.  Don’t be shy – virtual networks work too: TES is worth a try, as is The Guardian. Don’t be a stranger Hourglass consultants spend most of their time talking to teachers.  This gives them a unique insight into what makes ECTs tick, and which placements provide the best start in a teaching career.  They might not be au fait with the finer points of your subject knowledge – but they’re more than likely to give it a go! Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!

You've got this far, you clearly take your work as a teacher seriously, and the chances are you can’t wait to get started. For teachers, commitment to their career, the children and the school can increase the feelings of stress they experience. It’s also well known that people in caring roles are not great at taking care of their own wellbeing, and that’s vital if teachers are to provide the support that students need. As a newly qualified teacher you’ll doubtlessly be managing a whole range of emotions: excitement and enthusiasm and perhaps a little wariness. Many teachers find the first term is a bit of a whirlwind. You’ll probably spend time working outside school hours, and some people find it difficult to know when to stop. Your first year is important, and you’ll want to do well, but don’t expect perfection. You'll inevitably make mistakes and as long as you learn from them, that’s no bad thing. After all, you are human! We asked some of our experienced teachers what they would pass on to ECTs. Here’s what they said: Make yourself at home: make an effort to get to know people from the whole school community. Check out whether there are staff activities you can get involved with – sports or social events are a good way to break the ice. Opportunities to help with events outside your subject are also useful and can turn an email exchange into face-to-face meetings. In that way you’ll soon start to feel comfortable with your new colleagues. Remember you have a life: it will be tempting to launch a full-scale ‘people pleasing’ campaign, but when you’re responding to requests for help, bear in mind that everyone has a limit. Juggling too many balls will mean you drop one or two of them and unrealistic expectations will do nothing but add to your stress. Saying no from time to time is hard, but can often be the best thing to do. Enthusiasm is contagious: you’re passionate about your subject, and you should let your students see that and understand why. They’re more likely engage with you and what you’re doing if they can see how much you get out of it. It’s good to talk: be prepared to offload when you’re finding things tough. If you can find a colleague who’s a good listener, they will understand the situation you’re in, and may be able to suggest practical strategies that will help you manage things better. Don’t forget tried and tested support networks either. If you have friends from university or your course – or a supportive virtual community on social media, keep in touch with them. Hundreds of teachers are active on Twitter, and many of them will understand what you’re going through. Regain control There will be times when stress and fatigue threaten to take over. At that point, it’s important to know how to regain control and redress the balance. Here some really simple stress-busters that you can do at any time They will not only  reduce your stress and anxiety, but will simply make you feel better. Take a moment to think about how the next few hours might go. Use a pen and paper to list the important things that you want to get done. You should include personal things too, whether it’s messaging a friend, or remembering to organise a birthday present for a family member. List the ‘tasks’ for the day and put them in order of priority. Don’t be afraid to tick them off as you go – the a sense of achievement will boost your positive feelings. If things do start to get sticky, breathing can help. Getting overtaken by ‘stuff’ and being distracted by what’s going on around us can mean we end up literally holding our breath – especially when under stress. It may seem basic, but using exercises to harness cardiac muscles has a calming influence. It can make the difference between an adrenaline-fuelled state when your body is poised for fight or flight, or calm and balance. The best thing about these exercises? You can literally do them anytime, anywhere: Breathe deeply through your mouth, make sure the breath reaches into your diaphragm Hold for four seconds Breathe out, count to six seconds as you do Hold for two or three seconds and then repeat At the end of the day, pick up your pen and paper again. Think of three things that went well during the day and write them down. Anything positive is worth noting, even if it wouldn’t seem like much to other people. Reflecting on day-to-day triumphs, no matter how small, gives you tangible and positive ‘evidence’ of your own success. This is helpful because it’s about taking charge, and positive action helps counteract the negative aspects of a heavy workload. If it does seem overwhelming at any point, this can help you take stock, focus your mind and rebalance towards the positive. Starting something new will always be challenging, but you’ve trained for this! Keep a cool head, take a deep breath and start each day with positive thoughts and expectations – you’ll be just fine.   Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!

Someone once said that if you take care of the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves It’s not the most exciting advice, but if you haven’t already done so, this is the perfect time to develop really good habits that will help you look after your finances throughout your career. If this is your first experience of the working world, welcome! A word of warning, it’s not always easy and can take some getting used to - especially if you don’t feel as well off as you did as a student. It’s not all bad though, and there are ways you can ease the transition and make sure the decisions you make are good ones. Move on Before you draw a line under your student existence, ensure your slate is clean. Have you paid your final bills? Outstanding balances can harm your credit rating and cause problems in the future. On a more positive note, have you reclaimed the deposit you paid your landlord? Now that you’re a graduate, you should find out what will happen to your current account. Some banks will change your account automatically. It’s important to find out what’s what – particularly if you’re used to taking advantage of your student overdraft. As a graduate, the amount you can borrow may not be the same, and you’ll need to understand what the new limit will be, when it will come into effect, and when you’ll be charged interest. This change isn’t the end of the world! Graduate accounts still offer decent overdrafts. You’ll need to keep an eye on it, though, as the interest-free overdraft limit on graduate accounts tends to decrease as the years tick by. Put down roots When you move into new accommodation, one of the first things you should do is inform your local authority of your new address. Not only will you have the chance to vote, but you’ll also be in a better position regarding your credit score – also known as your 'credit rating'. This is important because it may affect your ability to take out a loan or finance agreement - and subsequently what you furnish your house with, or the car you drive. Factors such as your age, employment status and existing financial commitments are used to formulate your score, and lenders will use this information when they assess your suitability for phone contracts, car finance, etc. It’s free to check your credit rating with one of the reporting agencies: Experian Equifax Life can seem easier with a decent credit rating: give yourself the best chance by ensuring you’re on the electoral register and keeping up to date with bills. If you don’t have a credit history, or if what you do have is less than ideal, it might be worth considering a ‘credit builder’ card. Although you’ll pay a higher rate of interest than with regular credit cards, by paying off your bill on a credit builder card each month, you can prove your ability to handle credit and your rating will improve. Student loans don't feature in your credit score. Lenders only know about them if they ask the question on application forms: This is mainly restricted to major transactions e.g. mortgages. Live within your means So – the countdown to the first payday has begun. Do you celebrate with an extravagant shopping trip, or a meal at a swanky restaurant? The answer, of course, is no – you’ll do what the smart earners do and take control with a budget! First, you need to make a note of your outgoings. Work out how much you spend on household bills, living costs, regular travel costs, presents for family and friends and leisure. Pen and paper work fine for this, but you might find a spreadsheet or a budgeting app is better. Check to see if your bank has an app that works in real time and links directly to your account. Budgeting might seem like hard work, but there are major benefits. You’ll be able to set money aside for holidays or a new car, and you’ll be improving your credit rating at the same time. Make sure you’re paying into a pension scheme as soon as you can. Starting early will make a massive difference to the amount of money you have when you retire. Understand your payslip Your payslip will show: the amount you have been paid before tax and other deductions – your gross pay, deductions – what has been removed net pay – what’s left! You’ll also see that you have been allocated a tax code, usually starting with a number and ending with a letter. It is worth checking that you are on the correct tax code as it has a direct bearing on your net pay. 1250L is the tax code currently used for most people who have one job or pension. Paying back student loans Higher education can seem expensive – some graduates accumulate more than £30,000 of debt from loans and credit cards - and recent media estimates are closer to £50,000. If you’re worried about managing your debts, there are lots of sources of advice and help available. The Money Advice Service is a good starting point, and Martin Lewis has a really positive approach to dealing with student debt. He’s keen to point out that when you start earning, you repay 9% of everything earned above £26,575 . If you earn less than that, you don't repay – AND – after 30 years (yes, that seems like a lifetime!) any remaining debt is wiped. For more information about looking after your finances, take a look online: The Money Advice Service Gov.UK Money Saving Expert   Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!

At the forefront of a classroom teacher’s mind is the need to prevent disruption and maintain good discipline to facilitate students’ education.  There are rumours, though, that not everyone in the classroom shares this objective all the time…  Read on to make sure you’re in the best shape to encourage good behaviour in the children and young people around you.  First of all, schools and academies must have behaviour policies in place, and must make them known to staff, parents, and pupils at least once a year, in writing. See the government guidance here for more information. As a member of the school’s staff, you’ll be expected to comply with the behaviour policy. Your headteacher is ultimately responsible for the policy, but there should also be a dedicated coordinator who is responsible for providing guidance and support on behaviour issues, as well as regularly reviewing and updating the policy. Once you’re familiar with your own school’s policy, and become established in your role, you’ll be able to use your own influence to set standards and demonstrate what is acceptable, and where you need to draw the line. Leading by example  There is a natural hierarchy in a school which, when used positively, is a potential force for good.  Teachers at any stage in their career can take advantage of this.  However, with rights come responsibilities, and successful teachers take this seriously.  Looking the part – smart and professional should be the image you’re aiming for – is important.  You want everyone to know you mean business.  Whether you’re in the classroom or out and about in school every interaction is an opportunity to manage and reinforce good behaviour and maintain discipline.  Giving students the opportunity to get to know you can be hugely beneficial.  Through less formal conversation they will get to know what is acceptable within the school context and with the adults in their lives.  This is your responsibility, though, and a proactive exercise.  You might not feel like having lunch alongside the students every day, but it will pay off in the long term.    Trust and responsibility  Year 7 can often seem to have transformative powers.  Primary school children arriving in September often come on in leaps and bounds (sometimes literally!) and emerge in various shades of adolescence.  However, becoming small fish in the big secondary school pond might not be straightforward.  Many of them will have enjoyed the responsibility they had a primary level.  There may not be the same opportunities to get involved in classroom management in year 7, but if you can share tasks and responsibilities with your students it will encourage a culture of mutual trust, and lead to a sense of shared ownership of success in the classroom.  Attention!  There are times when a teacher simply must be the centre of attention in his/her own classroom and understanding this makes life more comfortable for everyone.  If you wait until you have the attention of everyone in the room, you underline this principle in a powerful and meaningful way.  Some of our teachers find a countdown technique useful.  By counting down from 5 or 10, with positive but targeted prompting throughout, students are given advance notice of what’s coming, and it is more realistic than demanding an instant response.  If you back up the countdown with praise and reward and use it regularly this really can be an effective way to settle a class and get ready to move on.    Rules and boundaries  Schools are all about nurturing students and giving them the information they need to succeed in life.  Teachers obviously play an enormous part in this and can have a massive impact on their students.  By establishing a secure environment where rules and boundaries are expected and positive reinforcement (for genuinely good behaviour) teachers can set their own standards and focus on the lesson plan rather than crowd control.   Challenge and reward  You have worked hard to get this far and your first years as a teacher will be challenging and should also be rewarding.  You will learn yet more about yourself and how you can positively impact the lives of others – it’s genuinely exciting!    Hourglass can help you take the first steps in your career.  Not only can we give practical advice about your CV and applications, but we will make sure you are seen by the right schools.    We know our schools and take time to understand which ones will suit you best.  Don’t forget, our job is your job!  Making sure you’re in the right school at the right stage of your career is what we’re all about.  Upload your CV now for your free online consultation!