The Unemployment Rollercoaster

Educators thrive in a landscape of planning, scheduling and structure. Recent events have resulted in many teachers and leaders finding that their lives have been turned upside down.
Conversations over the past few months have seen talented education professionals in a position of unemployment, brought upon by the challenges of the pandemic.

Does this sound familiar….

Contracts signed, visas arranged, bags packed and the family ready to go, only to find that the rug has been pulled from under your feet at very short notice due to situations out of your control. The borders are closed, a drop in pupil numbers has resulted in redundancies, the withdrawal of package benefits. I am sure that this will resonate with many. These are real experiences as we navigate our way through this changing landscape.

Some will frantically panic to secure any position they can, some will relocate to the security of family and reflect for a while, some will reach out to others and some will hide away. What can we do as individuals and collectively to navigate this world we find ourselves in?

• The power of the group – Connect with our networks based on the relationships we have built in the schools or countries we have worked in. Reconnect with teachers or leaders from previous roles. You never know what you will find.
• Reach out – Reach out to those trusted organisations and individuals who can support you with your next steps. Pick up the phone, set up a virtual conversation and make those connections. Don’t just scatter gun your CV and applications, seek out people and organisations who will take the time to support you in finding what you are really looking for.
• Develop your educational presence – Become visible in the education landscape, write blogs and articles to share on education platforms, contribute to webinars and debates online. Build your network and get noticed for your valuable contributions.
• Never stop learning – Consider how you can continue to build upon your expertise. Add to your skills and expertise through courses, training and enrichment. A candidate who is focussed on the future whilst navigating challenging times is attractive to future employers; demonstrating drive, resilience and determination.
• Don’t just accept anything  – A period of unemployment with evidenced progress in learning or further qualifications is far more attractive to an employer than a profile of a flurry of short term positions which don’t work out.

Anthony Millard Consulting takes great pride in the relationship it builds with its candidates. We take considerable time to really get to know the people we engage with to match roles suited to both professional and personal circumstances. A conversation is the starting point for building a relationship.

You never know when an opportunity may arise, so pick up the phone, drop a message through Linkedin or send an email and reach out to those who can support you through these challenging times.