Careers Advice
Get the latest career advice for teachers and education professionals. From finding your first NQT job to landing your dream leadership role, we have expert advice to help with your career progression. Whether you work in primary, secondary or further education, you can find job interview tips, salary information or advice for those looking to teach overseas. If you’re thinking of going part-time, want more information on flexible working or you’re returning to teaching, our careers advice page has all you need. Stay up to date on the latest pay scale changes and get tips and job advice from experienced teachers and leaders. Whatever you need to make the next step on your career path, you’ll find it here.

Questions to ask before your MAT grows
Growing your MAT is a tough decision. That's why these tough questions need to be answered first
Read moreHow to negotiate an online international jobs fair

How to negotiate an online international jobs fair
Careers fairs are now online rather than in conference centres –...
Top tips for January job hunters

Top tips for January job hunters
New year, new you and…new job? Well, that's the plan. Here...
6 tips for surviving the trainee rollercoaster

6 tips for surviving the trainee rollercoaster
Taking the step up from TA to teacher is an increasingly...
Watch: Making the step up to senior leadership

Watch: Making the step up to senior leadership
Join assistant principal Shonagh Reid as she explains how to prepare...
6 tips for taking an international job when in a couple

6 tips for taking an international job when in a couple
Relocating with a partner is a big step. One international teacher...
Watch: how to forge a career teaching the IB

Watch: how to forge a career teaching the IB
Join assistant head Emily Hardwicke as she introduces the International Baccalaureate...
WATCH: How to land your first teaching job

WATCH: How to land your first teaching job
Tes recruitment editor Grainne Hallahan explains how to successfully apply for...
Top tips for a mid-life overseas move

Top tips for a mid-life overseas move
Teaching abroad isn’t just for the twenty-somethings. Here one teacher explains...
How to build back better when leaving a bad job behind

How to build back better when leaving a bad job behind
If you find yourself in a school with a poor work...
How to market yourself to international schools

How to market yourself to international schools
Landing your dream overseas teaching role is no easy task, so...
WATCH: How to plan your teaching career next steps

WATCH: How to plan your teaching career next steps
If you’re ready to reach for the next rung on your...
Why I love teaching in West Wales

Why I love teaching in West Wales
With a rich heritage and plenty of opportunity for adventure, West...
Career goals: which school role could you take next?

Career goals: which school role could you take next?
Is it time to take the next step on the career...
Director of education: behind the scenes at an MAT

Director of education: behind the scenes at an MAT
The increase in multi academy trust (MATs) has led to a...
How to find the right teacher for your school

How to find the right teacher for your school
Leaders need to hire someone who isn’t just a great teacher...
Everything you need to know about living and working in Kuwait

Everything you need to know about living and working in Kuwait
With a large expat community, plenty of international schools and endless...
Why your first leadership role should be in a challenging school

Why your first leadership role should be in a challenging school
Moving to a challenging school might be just the thing your...
How to become a head of year

How to become a head of year
Does the thought of being the pastoral lead for a year...
Five first-impression tips for interviewees

Five first-impression tips for interviewees
First impressions matter at interview. Here are five ways to make...
Teaching in the UK: everything you need to know

Teaching in the UK: everything you need to know
Teaching in the UK is an exciting prospect. Here's all you...
9 tips to get the most from international jobs fairs

9 tips to get the most from international jobs fairs
Here’s how to come out of an international jobs fair in...
Home time: returning to the UK after teaching abroad

Home time: returning to the UK after teaching abroad
Here’s what you need to consider if you’re returning to the...
Six time-saving tips for teacher job hunters

Six time-saving tips for teacher job hunters
Finding a new job can seem overwhelming and can take up...
7 ways to hone your job search to find your right school

7 ways to hone your job search to find your right school
Selecting a workplace that really suits you can be difficult. Here’s...
Wales: what you need to know about teaching in the region

Wales: what you need to know about teaching in the region
Any teacher looking to broaden their educational horizons should consider a...
How do I return to teaching?

How do I return to teaching?
Teachers leave the profession for lots of reasons, but how easy...
How can schools recruit overseas teachers?

How can schools recruit overseas teachers?
When it comes to recruitment, there's no need to limit yourself...
How to make your job interview a success

How to make your job interview a success
The application was a success and you’ve been selected for interview...
4 common problems (and solutions!) for supply teachers

4 common problems (and solutions!) for supply teachers
Supply teachers are superheroes in suits, swooping in and saving the...
Teaching assistant interview: potential questions

Teaching assistant interview: potential questions
Being well prepared for your teaching assistant job interview is your...
The supply teacher guide: Six tips for cracking a new school

The supply teacher guide: Six tips for cracking a new school
Whether you're on short term casual supply for one day, or...
How to impress in your headteacher interview

How to impress in your headteacher interview
Taking on the role of headteacher is a huge responsibility, so...
Why am I not being shortlisted for the teaching jobs I apply for?

Why am I not being shortlisted for the teaching jobs I apply for?
For your application to be successful, you will need a clear...
Pay scale calculator 2019-20

Pay scale calculator 2019-20
Check your teacher salary against the 2019-20 pay scale with our...
Same, same, but different: 10 things that make international schools unique

Same, same, but different: 10 things that make international schools unique
Hong Kong-based principal and chief executive Mark Steed outlines 10 ways...
How can schools support teachers new to the International Baccalaureate?

How can schools support teachers new to the International Baccalaureate?
For teachers new to the IB, induction is crucial for getting...
Six strange things about life as an international teacher

Six strange things about life as an international teacher
The life of a teacher abroad is different to that of...
I got QTS ages ago, but have never done my induction year. Can I still apply for jobs as an NQT?

I got QTS ages ago, but have never done my induction year. Can I still apply for jobs as an NQT?
Is there a time limit on qualified teacher status? What sort...
Why international schools shouldn’t be seen as the enemy

Why international schools shouldn’t be seen as the enemy
Schools overseas are sometimes vilified for poaching UK teachers but could...
How can teaching assistants maximise their impact?

How can teaching assistants maximise their impact?
TAs have so much to give but can feel held back...
The importance of building a network as an international leader

The importance of building a network as an international leader
Principal and chief executive Mark Steed argues that forging links is...
Seven things they don’t tell you at an international school interview

Seven things they don’t tell you at an international school interview
There are certain things that international schools will often be vague...
How to apply for an IB teaching post with no experience

How to apply for an IB teaching post with no experience
Has a job at an International Baccalaureate school caught your eye...
Teaching IB for the first time

Teaching IB for the first time
The International Baccalaureate may feel overwhelming at first, but if you...
A retrospective on a year in recruitment

A retrospective on a year in recruitment
As the summer term comes to an end, we asked three...
Why I settled down in Northern Ireland

Why I settled down in Northern Ireland
Moving to Northern Ireland to teach can seem like big step...
Northern Ireland: all you need to know about teaching in the region

Northern Ireland: all you need to know about teaching in the region
If you’re looking for good schools, stunning beaches and perhaps a...
Room to grow: why I settled down in Scotland

Room to grow: why I settled down in Scotland
London isn’t the only option for a new teacher, but making...
Scotland: what you need to know about teaching in the region

Scotland: what you need to know about teaching in the region
With its beautiful scenery, rich history and welcoming culture, Scotland is...
Seven ways to help new staff settle at your international school

Seven ways to help new staff settle at your international school
Mark S Steed shares his tips for making new teachers feel...
Eight ways to get top talent to your international school

Eight ways to get top talent to your international school
The demand for teachers in English-speaking international schools is growing, which means...
Career development options for teaching assistants

Career development options for teaching assistants
What can teaching assistants do if they want to develop their...
Can you plan the perfect teacher pregnancy?

Can you plan the perfect teacher pregnancy?
You may try to plan your pregnancy down to the last...
How teachers can prepare for parental leave

How teachers can prepare for parental leave
Parental leave is an exciting time but you don’t want to...
Why I love teaching in...the East Midlands

Why I love teaching in...the East Midlands
Thomas James, an English teacher at Hartshill School in Nuneaton, explains...
Why I love teaching in...the South East of England

Why I love teaching in...the South East of England
Alice Edgington, head of school at St Stephen’s Infant School in...
Why I love teaching in... Yorkshire and the Humber

Why I love teaching in... Yorkshire and the Humber
Jonny Uttley, chief executive of the Education Alliance in Yorkshire, has...
Why I love teaching in...the North West

Why I love teaching in...the North West
Kerry Cawsey, second in department and literacy coordinator at Stockport Academy...
Why I love teaching in...London

Why I love teaching in...London
Paul Crisp, lead practitioner of performing arts at The Norwood School...
Why I love teaching in...the West Midlands

Why I love teaching in...the West Midlands
Craig Bonny-Meekings, director of learning for English and languages at The...
London – what you need to know about teaching in the region

London – what you need to know about teaching in the region
There’s no shortage of reasons to live and work in the...
The North West – what you need to know about teaching in the region

The North West – what you need to know about teaching in the region
Bordered by Scotland in the north and Wales to the south...
Yorkshire and the Humber – what you need to know about teaching in the region

Yorkshire and the Humber – what you need to know about teaching in the region
With rolling Dales, historic sea ports, industrial heritage and plenty of...
The South East – what you need to know about teaching in the region

The South East – what you need to know about teaching in the region
The gateway to England is home to an array of stunning...
The East Midlands – what you need to know about teaching in the region

The East Midlands – what you need to know about teaching in the region
Stretching from the very centre of England to the sea at...
What's it like teaching in...Latin America?

What's it like teaching in...Latin America?
Although less established as a teaching destination than other regions, Latin...
What's it like to teach in...South East Asia?

What's it like to teach in...South East Asia?
Rich in culture and awash with opportunity, it’s hardly surprising so...
Careers Toolkit
How to make your interview a success

How to make your interview a success
A teaching job interview invitation shouldn’t be cause for panic. This...