What an excellent question! And certainly not a situation with a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Job hunting is never straightforward, and it’s not uncommon to receive interest from schools or locations that you hadn’t previously considered.

So, what should you do when you receive an interview invite for a role you’re not entirely sold on?

Consider Saying Yes!

1. Interviews Give You More Information

An interview gives you the chance to find out more about the school, workload, housing, support, salary, and teaching expectations. Although you may have some of this information on paper, there’s nothing better than hearing it directly from the interviewer. An interview can completely change someone’s perception of a school - trust us, we’ve seen it! Consider approaching your interview invitation with an open mind. The school can clearly see the potential in your application, so why not give the opportunity a chance and find out some more. You might be surprised!

2. Practice Makes Perfect

If you’ve been in your current role for a while, or haven’t done many interviews yet, each interview experience helps to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence. You’ll get better at presenting yourself and learn even more about what you’re looking for from your next employer. Let’s face it, not everyone finds their dream role in their very first interview. The more you interview, the better you will become at it, and the more confident you’ll be when that dream position comes along.

3. You’re Not Committing - Yet

A first stage interview is not a job offer, it’s a two way street. Yes, the interviewer wants to get to know you, but you also need to get to know them and their school. Is this somewhere you can see yourself working at? Do the school’s values and goals align with yours as an educator? Don’t be afraid to take a chance in the initial hiring stages. This is when you want to keep your options open, and explore potential opportunities.

4. You Might Be Surprised

Many teachers report that their favorite teaching jobs came from schools they almost turned down. Keep an open mind - you may find better hours, friendlier colleagues, or a nicer location than you expected.

5. It’s A Step In The Right Direction

Interviewing for a position you’re not sold on is still a chance to show your best self to the school. In busy hiring times, new positions open almost every day, meaning a school MAY be keeping your application in mind when an even more suitable role comes up. Take the chance to make a great first impression, and you never know where this could take you.

And if you’re still thinking ‘okay, BUT, why on earth would I say yes to interviewing for a role I know I don’t want?’

Here’s When To Say No!

1. You’re 100% Certain That This Isn’t The Role For You

Be open-minded, take a chance, but be realistic. If you know the location definitely won’t work, or it’s completely the wrong position, then it’s fair enough to move on to the next opportunity. Just remember, once you’ve declined the interview, there’s not much chance of it popping back up, so give your choice due consideration before formally turning down your invite.

2. You’ve Already Signed and Committed To Another Contract

We’re all about keeping options open, but if you’re at this stage of the hiring process with another school, then you definitely should NOT be saying yes to other interviews! By signing a contract, you’ve shown a serious commitment (in writing). Think very clearly if you’re not happy with what you’ve signed, as jumping on new opportunities at this stage can potentially give you a bad reputation as an unreliable candidate. As we’ve mentioned before, people talk!

Key Take Aways:

The initial interview stage is the perfect time to explore options - you’re not wasting anyone's time by accepting an invite

Going ahead with an interview gives you the opportunity to find out more information about the school

Interviewing for a role you’re not initially sold on can open unexpected doors!

Should I Accept An Interview Invite, Even If I Don’t Think It’s The Right Job For Me?