Yesterday
I spent all day on an interview panel for Teaching Assistant jobs. We
had over 60 applications for 3 jobs. We whittled it down to 24 people
to interview in one day. In order to get through this many people
there were 3 interview teams and the day consisted of a presentation,
an activity and the formal interview. There was elimination after the
first two stages so we only interviewed who we seriously considered.
I
dislike interviewing because I understand that we are shaping
people's lives. It is a huge responsibility to decide whether a
person is right for the job, the school, the team but someone has to
do it. And that someone is us.
We saw
some brilliant teaching and innovative answers to our probing
questions but we couldn't take everyone and looking at the day's
performance together with the application form and references, we
made our decisions. I've been part of the process many times and I
always reflect on those candidates we do not choose. How disappointed
they must feel, did we make the right decision?
I also
think about my circumstances. Have I been making the right career
choices? Right now I'm a stay at home mum but I'd love to have a job
even if it means compromising my voluntary work. However, four kids,
a husband and two cats doesn't leave much time for working in a paid
position so where does that leave me?
I'd like
to hope we made the right decisions yesterday. I'd like to hope I've
made the right decisions about my life and career choices. Interviews
always make me do this. It's part of the responsibility I carry.
Welcome to my world.
Welcome to Diary of a Chair of Governors....
Follow me @MichelleGrant