Sna panels

Catkin

I have had two interviews in the last two weeks for SNA posts in primary schools. Unfortunately didnt get either job but both schools have stated that i am on a panel should anything arise within tne year. I am changing career.. going from working in financial services to sna. I have level 5 special needs assisting course completed and i work voluntarily with children in my community where there are children who are autistic. Also i have two familly members who are autistic snd i have intellectual disabilities. I may not have experienced in a school setting but i have life experience which doesn't seem to stand for much. My question is do anyone that are on these panels get jobs??

Athdara

Well done for even getting interviews. I have 8 years experience with excellent references but after being made redundant and no jobs available for a few years I can't seem to even get interviews. Even one school where I have subbed regularly I didn't get an interview yet I was given a gift from the Principal for all the extra help I had given her that week, so I didn't mess up.
These jobs are generally all sewn up. I've often applied for the sake of applying even though I know who's getting the job.
One school near me contacted people for interview on a Thursday night yet the job hadn't reached its closing date.
It's is soul destroying at this stage. I cried today as the job application process has worn me down.

Catkin

Athdara wrote: »

Well done for even getting interviews. I have 8 years experience with excellent references but after being made redundant and no jobs available for a few years I can't seem to even get interviews. Even one school where I have subbed regularly I didn't get an interview yet I was given a gift from the Principal for all the extra help I had given her that week, so I didn't mess up.
These jobs are generally all sewn up. I've often applied for the sake of applying even though I know who's getting the job.
One school near me contacted people for interview on a Thursday night yet the job hadn't reached its closing date.
It's is soul destroying at this stage. I cried today as the job application process has worn me down.

I know alot of these jobs are earmarked though it doesnt make it less soul destroying.. chin up something will come our way

Moonbeam

Have you done Lámh or ISL or any other supporting courses?
You will need something to make your cv stand out as different from the others.
Good luck:(
There maybe subbing work around.

Lady_North1

Catkin wrote: »

I have had two interviews in the last two weeks for SNA posts in primary schools. Unfortunately didnt get either job but both schools have stated that i am on a panel should anything arise within tne year. I am changing career.. going from working in financial services to sna. I have level 5 special needs assisting course completed and i work voluntarily with children in my community where there are children who are autistic. Also i have two familly members who are autistic snd i have intellectual disabilities. I may not have experienced in a school setting but i have life experience which doesn't seem to stand for much. My question is do anyone that are on these panels get jobs??

To be on a panel for a school following an interview means that if they should get an extra job or someone leaves they can pick from the panel without having to readvertise or reinterview. In reality it doesn't happen that much. SNA jobs are like gold dust these days and not many people leave voluntarily mid year. And it's rare that extra allocations come on stream mid year.... unless it's a junior school and new allocations are made for junior infants who've gone through assessments.
You may be called for subbing while your name is on the panel but I'd be leaving my cv in to as many schools as possible letting them know you are available. Best way to get your foot in the door.

happyday

Athdara wrote: »

Well done for even getting interviews. I have 8 years experience with excellent references but after being made redundant and no jobs available for a few years I can't seem to even get interviews. Even one school where I have subbed regularly I didn't get an interview yet I was given a gift from the Principal for all the extra help I had given her that week, so I didn't mess up.
These jobs are generally all sewn up. I've often applied for the sake of applying even though I know who's getting the job.
One school near me contacted people for interview on a Thursday night yet the job hadn't reached its closing date.
It's is soul destroying at this stage. I cried today as the job application process has worn me down.

I hear you Athdara. It is an awful place to be. I lost my job in 2016 but I was on the panel. Last summer I applied for over 50 SNA jobs, got called to about 15 interviews, went to 12 of them (some clashed), and in the end was offered 6 positions one at a time. I ended up saying yes to 4. I accepted one, then got offered a second one that seemed to be a better long term prospect. Then I was offered a third closer to home and even did training for it. Finally at the very last minute I was offered more hours in a better school (better for me) closer to home and had to ring school number 3 and get out of contract there and stuck with the final school. All of this was unimaginably stressful and took its toll on me. I'm glad to say that I am happy where I am now but often thought I would never get there. Keep trying Athdara. You will get there in the end.

Maggie007

Hi, I have an interview for an SNA position next week. It will be my first interview like that, and I've never worked in this area before. Do you have any advice or tips for me ? Especially in relation to the type of questions they ask? Do they ckheck your knowledge in regards to the different disabilities ? Do they ask questions such as what would you do in this situation .....or how would ypu react to this type of behavior? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have only a few days left and not sure how to approach preparing for this interview.

Lady_North1

Check out edcationposts.ie
A lot of information on there. Not many SNAs seem to post here but you'll find a list of interview questions on there too.

Best of luck with the interview.

happyday

I'll second that. Best of luck.

Is there anywhere SNAs post or discuss relevant issues Lady North. I find that there is very little support or information out there. I am in the union and interested in any developments going on.

Lady_North1

If you're on Facebook there's an sna Ireland group. Not a member myself. Search Special Needs Assistants Ireland on Facebook and join. Lots of advice and support on there.

happyday

Lady_North1 wrote: »

If you're on Facebook there's an sna Ireland group. Not a member myself. Search Special Needs Assistants Ireland on Facebook and join. Lots of advice and support on there.

Thanks Lady North. I'll have a look.