Carina shares her experiences of mock interview day


Applying for jobs can be daunting at the best of times.  

Applying for jobs in education is another kettle of fish.  

This Wednesday, our SCITT weekly focussed on the big scary world of applying for our first posts as teachers. Not only did we get a session on where to look, how to look etc, we had the opportunity to meet with heads/deputies within the Redhill Trust for some one on one interviews with a great big emphasis on feedback. 

(Hashtag reasons my SCITT is better than yours) 

This incredible session also gave us starting tips and the tools for creating cover letters, filling out application forms and how to answer all the tricky interview questions.  

Personally the day brought so much positive and constructive feedback. Before this session I felt truly overwhelmed at the idea of searching for jobs and attempting to apply for roles but Wednesday allowed me a lot of breathing and thinking space.  

Though I feel we are lucky to have not had to teach online through this pandemic academic year, say that 10 times fast, I had not seen some of my fellow cohort since before Christmas due to the measures in place. Wednesday was like no time had passed at all. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face, I think we’ve practically hit the jackpot in this cohort and I know I have made some friends for LIFE. 

Thanks to ‘Mum’ Sally and ‘Dad’ Adam -… ‘DADam’ for bringing us all together.  

Our group ended up having an absolutely beautiful part of the session that can only be described as giving ‘Warm fuzzies’ and if you’ve seen Legally Blonde (Ollie’s favourite movie) you’ll know what I’m talking about. It was like a therapy session and I think everyone deserves their warm fuzzy. Maybe I’ll bring in a Snap cup next face to face session! 

To my fellow trainees of 2021/2022, I am so certain we will all come from this academic year with incredible opportunities that we want and deserve. You are all fabulous, brilliant-minded and would be an asset to any school that hired you.  


Carina Jolly, Chemistry trainee  


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