From The Point: Pandemic job applications
If, as expected, there are more vacancies than usual this summer, how do you ensure you get the position you want?
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The Victorian government mandate for compulsory vaccination of employees has resulted in some teachers and school staff using leave or negotiating alternate work arrangements until the end of the 2021 school year. The restrictions on overseas visas and visitors will also kick in at this time.
The IEU believes this mandate will continue for the foreseeable future, and employers are unlikely to agree to flexible leave or work arrangements in 2022. This could potentially lead to higher-than-usual staff turnover in schools, and may also mean that vacancies peak later than usual, with more jobs being advertised right through to the start of the new school year.
What can you do to maximise your chance of securing one of these vacancies?
Firstly, vaccine hesitancy has affected a wide variety of roles in schools. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what your desired role is, or your level of experience, you’re likely to find opportunities.
Secondly, the mandate will affect all school sectors equally. Anecdotally at least, heavily religious schools have higher rates of vaccine hesitancy. Therefore, you should expand your job search to all sectors and across all platforms: The Catholic Schools online job board, Seek, individual school websites, and any other relevant agencies.
The next consideration is whether your CV needs changes.
We suggest that you include proof that you are fully vaccinated in your cover letter and CV or include a pdf of your vaccination status as part of your application. You can download this from the MyGov website. It is highly likely this will continue to be the evidence required as we move towards the necessity of booster shots.
Given the timeframe outlined above, you will need to have your application documents ready to go at short notice. You will also need to be resilient and patient, and possibly willing to devote a significant time of your summer break to job research and applications.
Ensure your CV is not only up to date, but also meets contemporary expectations. This means not only adding to your employment record and professional development, but also removing outdated duties and roles dating more than ten years ago. There is nothing more frustrating for an employer or recruiter than having to sift through a muddle of high and low-value attributes and experiences to discern your suitability for their role.
Do this job for them and resist the temptation to include every aspect of your role. A good guide is to include no more than three to five bullet points per item. If you have three to four different or emerging roles, this means you’ve got between nine and twenty distinct bullet points to champion your suitability.
Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out in person to a potential employer between now and the end of term. Call the Daily Organiser, Deputy Principal or Principal and ask if they anticipate any vacancies arising.
Between now and February ask if it’s ok to send in a cover letter and CV and for them to keep you in mind should a vacancy arise at late notice. They may well give you an interview before advertising a role, especially if the incumbent has left little time before advising of their intention not to return.
As always, the IEU is on hand to provide advice on contract offers and give you the lie of the land on any school you are applying to. We occasionally unearth unlawful ‘gems’ in contracts, and such scrutiny is part of your membership.
It should be a roller-coaster of a time, recruitment-wise, so good luck and make sure you update your membership record with your new employer when you’re offered your next job!