Job help, please. Should I apply? UPDATED 5 JULY

[hildasmuriel]

Any school secretaries out there? Or do you know anything about the job?

I'm thinking of applying for a job as a school secretary/ PA to the Headteacher and I'm not sure if I am about to make a total idiot of myself.

I work at the school at the moment, but not in the office. I know a lot about the way the school runs etc but not a lot about the computer system and the school admissions. I was rather hoping I could be trained on the job. I have previous experience in an office but that was BC (before children!).

So my question is - do you think it is the sort of job you can learn while you're doing it, or do you DEFINITELY need experience before you start? I would hate for them to give me an interview out of sympathy when it is quite clear I don't stand a chance.

 

[AliceGardner]

Hi

I have a friend in a similar (although not exactly the same) situation... this probably sounds odd, but she is a highly qualified professional (degree, masters degree, VERY computer literate, 7/8 years experience in project management, project administration in engineering companies), but she wants to considerably ease back in her career and get something more administrative. She has applied for several administrative jobs in departments at her local university. Through her experience, "transferable skills" and abilities she is MORE than capable of doing the jobs that she has applied for. BUT she hasn't even been able to get an interview... The feedback she has received from the people asessing the applications is that she is an incredibly good candidate, BUT that they are getting a very strong field of candidates (with considerable experience of administration within Higher Education) - so, due to her lack of specific experience, she is not getting short-listed...

With regards to your situation, a lot would depend on the other applications that they get. If they get a lot of applications from people with "admin in schools" experience or even "recent admin in an office" experience, then they would look more attractive than you . I don't know about admin positions in schools, BUT some job markets can be incredibly competitive.

Have you thought about an "informal chat" with someone about this specific vacancy? You say that you already work at the school, you must know a lot of people there and presumably someone who you could have a "chat" with? See what they think. Say that you are very interested int he vacancy, but would like to talk about it informally (so as not to waste their time or yours by applying if they didn;t think you would be suitable for it).

In addition to "selling" your familiarity with the school, it's staff and how that school works, sell your previous office/admin experience and also any computer literacy you have (internet, Word? Excel? Anything else?).

If this vacancy isn't quite right for you, have you thought of the following? I don't know what your current job at the school is, but are there ways that your responsibilities could be broadened/increased to add more "admin" type tasks to it? Increasing your experience and how you can sell yourself on your CV and to future employers? Most current employers are happy to give more responsibility and work to their employees to get work off their own desks

Wishing you the very best of luck. Hope this is right for you. If it isn't, then you are NOT making an idiot of yourself: you are looking to grow . Always be proud of yourself for looking to grow and never give up - look for ways to make that dream come true. Nobody (in their right mind) would think bad things about you for wanting to grow as a person

Best Wishes,
Alice

 

[Netty]

Any school secretaries out there? Or do you know anything about the job?

I'm thinking of applying for a job as a school secretary/ PA to the Headteacher and I'm not sure if I am about to make a total idiot of myself.

I work at the school at the moment, but not in the office. I know a lot about the way the school runs etc but not a lot about the computer system and the school admissions. I was rather hoping I could be trained on the job. I have previous experience in an office but that was BC (before children!).

So my question is - do you think it is the sort of job you can learn while you're doing it, or do you DEFINITELY need experience before you start? I would hate for them to give me an interview out of sympathy when it is quite clear I don't stand a chance.

I think you should just go for it.You just never know.. they may want someone who is familiar with the school,rather than just their I.T. skills.
If you don't go then you might always be wondering about it.
Go on you've got nothing to lose!

 

[CustardTart]

I think you should just go for it.You just never know.. they may want someone who is familiar with the school,rather than just their I.T. skills.
If you don't go then you might always be wondering about it.
Go on you've got nothing to lose!

I agree with Jeanette - give it a go!!! As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained...

 

[mandymouse]

I think you should go for it, you've got valuable experience working in a school already

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

Mandy

 

[natalielongstaff]

if it was me i would apply let us know how you get on

 

[tennisfan]

I would apply for it, the worse they could do is say no but you will still have your current job. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Minniespal]

Hope you make the right decision for you

Let us know how you get on

 

[DisneyJo]

Our school recently hired a new secretary and the lady that got the role just had part time admin skills but was really friendly and eager to learn, so go for it you don't know what they're looking for and it's all good experience

 

[BingsingsWaltDisney]

risk it for a biscuit

nothing ventured nothing gained

good luck, go for it

 

[Chilly]

Go For It!

 

[irongirlof12]

nothing ventured nothing gained! Give it a go, you may be just ther person they are looking for.

 

[hildasmuriel]

Well thanks for all your very positive replies and advice. I went into work feeling very confident and ready to go for it. Then I heard that they have had nearly 50 applications already! Ulp - I had no idea it would be so popular. BUT I have collected an application form and I am going to fill it in and do my best. It will be good experience anyway - it's a long time since I had to fill out an application form.

Sorry to bend your ears on this - but I have told no-one about it, not at work or at home so I have no-one to sound off to. I know my family of old. They are very supportive and sure of me - so much so that it would be hard to tell them that I had not been successful.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

One word of advice, fill in the application form as though no one at the school knows you. I made this mistake when applying for a job confidently thinking they know me and what I can do, my friend did exactly the same and whereby the headmistress told her where she went wrong I never heard a word! Just show willing to take any training they may wish to offer and GOOD LUCK.

 

[hildasmuriel]

Can you believe it? I got the job! 30 applicants, shortlisted to 6, interviews today and I got it!

I had to take a short typing and editing test and then have an interview with a panel of 5 (aaargh) and amazingly, after all the garbage that poured out of my mouth in the interview, they offered me the job.

Only thing is that I now have to live up to the image of the wonderful competent person that I created in the application form and interview.

 

[saratogagirl]

well done, that is brilliant news, I am really pleased for you

 

[wideeyes]

great news, congratulations

 

[tennisfan]

Thats fantastic news, congrats

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Congratulations - the worst part is over now, I'm sure you will be 'wonderfully competent' in the job when you start.

 

[CustardTart]

Can you believe it? I got the job! 30 applicants, shortlisted to 6, interviews today and I got it!

I had to take a short typing and editing test and then have an interview with a panel of 5 (aaargh) and amazingly, after all the garbage that poured out of my mouth in the interview, they offered me the job.

Only thing is that I now have to live up to the image of the wonderful competent person that I created in the application form and interview.

Congratulations - that's brilliant news!!!