Maybe you’ve been thinking about leaving for months. Maybe you’ve had one of those “I think I’m ready for something new” moments.
Whatever has brought you here, if you’re hoping to start a new role in January, now is the time to get moving.
For many education professionals, October is the point at which you need to be thinking seriously about your resignation if you want to make a January move.
So, before you hand in your notice, start scrolling through vacancies or get carried away imagining your new classroom, here are the things you need to get sorted first:
Check your resignation deadline
First things first: check the terms of your current contract.
Notice periods can vary depending on your role and employer, so don’t assume that every school or setting works to the same timeline.
If you’re hoping to start a new role in January, find out exactly when you need to hand in your resignation and make a note of the date.
It’s much easier to plan your next move when you know your current timeline.
Start looking at January vacancies
You don’t have to wait until you’re ready to resign before you start looking.
In fact, starting your search early can give you a much better idea of what’s out there.
Think about:
- What type of school would you like to work in?
- Are you looking for a teaching or TA role?
- Do you want to stay in your current year group or try something different?
- How far are you willing to travel?
- Are you looking for full-time, part-time or flexible work?
- Is there a particular subject, key stage or area of education you’d like to explore?
Even if you don’t find your perfect vacancy straight away, browsing current opportunities can help you understand what you want from your next role.
Ready to see what’s out there? Explore the latest education opportunities with The Supply Room.
Give your CV a refresh
When was the last time you properly updated your CV?
If you’ve been in the same school for several years, it’s easy to forget just how much you’ve achieved since your last job search.
Before applying for new roles, make sure your CV reflects your current experience, responsibilities and skills.
Consider adding:
- New qualifications or training
- Additional responsibilities
- SEN experience
- Leadership or mentoring experience
- Clubs and extracurricular activities
- Successful projects you’ve contributed to
- New year groups or subjects you’ve taught
- Any other experience that demonstrates what you can bring to a school
And remember: your CV doesn’t need to tell your entire career story. Focus on the experience that makes you a strong candidate for the roles you’re applying for.
Think about what you want to change
A job search isn’t just about finding a new role. It’s an opportunity to think about what you actually want from your next one.
Maybe you’re looking for a shorter commute.
Perhaps you’d like more responsibility.
Maybe you want to move from a TA role into teaching, try a different key stage, gain more SEN experience or simply find a school where the environment feels like a better fit.
Take some time to write down your must-haves, nice-to-haves and deal-breakers.
Having a clear idea of what you’re looking for can make the search much more focused.
Get your references in order
If you haven’t applied for a new education role in a while, it’s worth checking that you know who you can use as a referee.
Make sure you have the correct contact details and, where appropriate, that your referees are happy to provide a reference.
Getting this organised early means one less thing to worry about when you find a role you’d like to apply for.
Don’t resign before you’ve thought through your next step
If you’re unhappy in your current role, it can be tempting to hand in your notice and figure everything else out afterwards.
But if your goal is a January start, it can be helpful to understand the opportunities available to you before making any decisions.
Start researching, speak to one of our recruitment consultants or look at vacancies.
It’s the ideal time to update your CV and get a feel for what’s available.
That way, you’re making your next move with information rather than making a decision under pressure.
Give yourself time
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is start sooner rather than later.
Finding the right role can take time. You may apply for a position and not get it. A vacancy might close before you’re ready to apply. Or you might discover that the role you thought you wanted isn’t actually the right fit.
That’s completely normal.
Starting your search before the October deadline gives you more time to explore your options, prepare applications and make a considered decision about your next step.
Ready for a fresh start in January?
If you’re thinking about making a move, now is a good time to start exploring your options.
Whether you’re an experienced teacher, teaching assistant or another education professional, The Supply Room can help you find opportunities that match your experience and what you’re looking for next.
Don’t wait until January to start thinking about January.
