Working as a lecturer: finding a job

WHERE TO LOOK

Full-time and part-time college and university teaching posts are advertised in the Education Guardian (on Tuesdays), the Times Educational Supplement further education pages and the Times Higher Education Supplement (both on Fridays).

You could also try approaching local colleges or adult education institutions offering courses in your subject specialist area(s) to seek teaching work, but you would be more likely to be offered casual or temporary teaching hours than a permanent position, with fewer employment rights. A number of FE colleges in England also employ hourly paid teaching staff through employment agencies. The new on-line learndirect service is offering part-time employment to tutors.

NATFHE is working to end the 'casualisation' of teaching in further and higher education and local branches are negotiating to move temporary and/or hourly paid staff on to contracts for full-time or 'fractional' posts, and to replace agency staff with college-employed staff. You should seek advice from NATFHE if you have any queries about the nature of any casual work you may be offered.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are applying for an advertised post you will be asked to complete an application form giving full details of your education and any employment experience. You will also be asked to name referees (usually two) who can vouch for your experience and abilities - remember to ask potential referees for their permission first. Most institutions will require you to complete an equal opportunities form as part of their equal opportunities policy. This is so they can monitor their records to ensure fairness in the treatment of applicants, whatever their sex, ethnicity or physical ability.

In some cases an application form will come with a 'job specification', outlining the components of the job on offer, and a 'person specification', outlining the qualities being sought. You should make sure that your application acknowledges these requirements by spelling out your ability to match them.

Don't forget to keep copies of applications that you send off.

You might also want to draw up your own CV (curriculum vitae) if you are applying for jobs 'on spec'. This should outline your education and any work experience and name people who can be approached for references. Don't forget to cover any voluntary, community or other experience that can show you have the qualities and maturity to teach in a post-school setting. You should tailor any covering letter to show why you are applying to the particular institution and/ or course where you are seeking work. If you are applying for an advertised post you should complete any application form specified rather than just send in your CV.

PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW

Interviews can be a nervewracking experience, at any stage in your career. Interview panels will be seeking out the most suitable candidates for their vacancy - rather than trying to trip you up - so you just need to be clear and honest in outlining your background, any experience and the qualities you can offer.

You should go over what you wrote in your application form and be prepared to answer further questions on your education and employment/voluntary experience that show you can do the job on offer as outlined in the job description and person specification. Don't forget any 'transferable skills' - experience you may have got outside of an educational setting that can be used as a lecturer. You should also check out any information the institution may have sent you about the post. Look at the institution's website so that you find out more about your potential workplace.

If you are unsuccessful at getting appointed, and don't know why, you can usually approach the institution's human resources/personnel department for any feedback about your performance at the interview. This might be helpful for future applications and interviews.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

All institutions in further and higher education are now covered by sex equality, race equality and disability discrimination law. This means that it is an offence to discriminate against applicants for jobs - and employees - on the grounds of their sex, race or physical ability. Following the Macpherson report, colleges and universities are now taking action to eradicate any institutional racism, and under new race laws they are covered by a code to promote race equality. Institutions are now preparing to comply with the extension of the disability discrimination laws to cover education.

Most institutions now have an equal opportunities policy, and details of this should be sent out with job application forms and be available on their websites.

If you want further information on the equality laws and NATFHE policies on this area, contact the union's Equalities Unit. If you think you have been subject to any unlawful discrimination in applying for a job, you should contact your NATFHE branch secretary or regional office.