Course 4: CV Writing, Interview Techniques and PDP
CV Writing, Interview Techniques and Professional Development Portfolio (PDP)
Who runs this course? This course is delivered by Academica Mentoring, a separate company that works alongside Raedan Institute and supports the charity through donations and free staff training. Bookings and payments are made directly with Academica Mentoring, not with the charity.
At a glance
| Format | One-day workshop, three evening sessions, or one-to-one coaching |
|---|---|
| Price | £197 |
| Who for | Early career teachers, teachers seeking promotion, senior leaders, international applicants and career changers |
| Next dates | Ongoing |
| Certificate | Certificate of completion from Academica Mentoring |
From Application to Appointment: Master the Art of Landing Your Dream Teaching Position
You’ve invested years in education, training, and development. You’re qualified, experienced, and passionate about teaching. You’re ready for that next role—whether your first teaching position, promotion to leadership, or career transition.
But here’s the harsh reality: brilliant teachers don’t always get the jobs they deserve. Why?
Because recruitment isn’t about who’s the best educator; it’s about who presents themselves most effectively on paper and in person.
That outstanding Head of Department position?
Popular posts attract a strong field of applicants. Yours has 30 seconds to impress before it’s discarded or shortlisted.
That senior leadership interview?
You’re competing with polished, experienced candidates who’ve mastered the art of interviewing.
That international teaching opportunity?
Schools receive hundreds of CVs from qualified teachers worldwide.
The difference between success and rejection often has nothing to do with teaching ability—it’s about CV quality, interview performance, and professional presentation.
Academica Mentoring’s CV Writing, Interview Techniques and Professional Development Portfolio course equips you to compete, so that you do not lose opportunities through weak applications or poor interview performance. We prepare you to compete at the highest level, presenting your experience, skills, and potential with maximum impact.
Who Needs This Course?
Early Career Teachers (ECTs):
- Writing your first professional teaching CV
- Preparing for first teaching interviews
- Building your professional portfolio from the start
- Competing with experienced teachers for limited positions
Experienced Teachers Seeking Promotion:
- Transitioning from classroom teacher to middle leadership
- Applying for Head of Department, Key Stage Coordinator, or Subject Leader roles
- Competing with candidates who’ve already held leadership positions
- Demonstrating readiness for increased responsibility
Senior Leaders Pursuing Headship:
- Applying for Assistant Head, Deputy Head, or Headteacher positions
- Articulating strategic vision and whole-school leadership capability
- Competing at the highest professional level
- Presenting career trajectory demonstrating executive readiness
Teachers Entering International Education:
- Navigating international recruitment processes
- Understanding cultural differences in applications and interviews
- Presenting UK qualifications/experience to international audiences
- Competing in global talent market
Career Changers Entering Teaching:
- Translating non-teaching experience into education context
- Addressing career change questions effectively
- Demonstrating transferable skills and commitment to teaching
- Competing with traditionally trained teachers
Module 1: CV Writing Excellence
Your CV is your marketing document. It must capture attention immediately, communicate your value clearly, and compel the reader to interview you. Most teaching CVs fail spectacularly at this.
You’ll learn:
Strategic Positioning: Understanding what schools actually want and positioning yourself accordingly. Different roles require different emphases—classroom teacher CVs highlight pedagogy and student outcomes; leadership CVs emphasise strategic thinking and team development.
Structure and Format: Professional layouts that enhance readability, appropriate length (hint: it’s not always 2 pages), section organisation that highlights your strengths, and formatting that passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) some employers now use. Many UK state schools and trusts ask for their own application form instead of a CV, so we also show you how to turn your CV content into a strong application form and supporting statement.
Compelling Personal Statements: Opening paragraphs that grab attention and communicate your unique value proposition in 3-4 powerful sentences, avoiding clichés and generic claims.
Experience Presentation: Describing teaching roles with impact—not just “taught Year 7 English” but quantified achievements demonstrating your effectiveness (e.g., “Improved Year 7 English progress from 65% to 92% on-target through implementation of personalised learning approach”).
Skills and Achievements: Highlighting relevant competencies with evidence, presenting professional development strategically, and showcasing awards, publications, or special accomplishments.
Education and Qualifications: Presenting academic credentials effectively, including relevant certifications and ongoing professional development.
Tailoring for Specific Roles: Customising your CV for each application, emphasising experiences and skills most relevant to that specific position, and using language from job descriptions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Spelling/grammar errors, excessive length, vague descriptions, missing key information, poor formatting, irrelevant details, and unprofessional email addresses.
You’ll leave with: A polished, professional CV that positions you competitively for your target roles, plus templates and resources for future updates.
Module 2: Interview Techniques Mastery
Interviews terrify many teachers. The pressure, formality, and high stakes create anxiety that sabotages performance. Yet interviews are learnable skills—with preparation and practice, anyone can interview excellently.
You’ll learn:
Interview Types and Formats: Understanding different interview approaches (traditional panel, competency-based, values-based, lesson observations, student panels, presentations), what each assesses, and how to prepare specifically for each format.
Common Teaching Interview Questions: Mastering responses to predictable questions like “Why teaching?”, “Describe your teaching philosophy,” “How do you manage behaviour?”, “How do you differentiate?”, “Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it,” “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”, and “Why this school?”
STAR Technique: Structuring competency-based answers using Situation, Task, Action, Result framework to deliver concrete, memorable examples demonstrating your capabilities.
Leadership Interview Questions: For those pursuing middle/senior leadership: “What’s your vision for this department/school?”, “How do you develop staff?”, “How do you manage underperformance?”, “Describe your approach to strategic planning,” “How do you handle difficult conversations?”, and “How would you improve [specific area]?”
Asking Intelligent Questions: Your questions reveal as much as your answers. We teach you to ask insightful questions demonstrating genuine interest, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Body Language and Presentation: Non-verbal communication matters enormously. Learn professional dress, confident posture, appropriate eye contact, handshake etiquette (when applicable), and vocal tone/pacing.
Handling Difficult Questions: Responding to challenging questions about career gaps, frequent job changes, lack of specific experience, or weaknesses without damaging your candidacy.
Post-Interview Follow-Up: Professional thank-you communications and ongoing engagement maintaining your candidacy.
Mock Interviews: Extensive practice with feedback, video recording (if desired) for self-analysis, which is yours to keep and which we delete once you have it, and refinement until you’re polished and confident.
You’ll leave with: Confidence, preparation, and skills to excel in any teaching interview at any level.
Module 3: Professional Development Portfolio (PDP)
Your PDP is your evidence base—documentation proving your effectiveness, development, and continuous improvement. Increasingly, schools request portfolios during applications/interviews. Even when not required, a strong PDP differentiates you from competitors.
You’ll learn:
Portfolio Purpose and Structure: Understanding what a PDP is, why it matters, and how to organise it effectively (physical binder vs. digital portfolio).
Essential Components: Lesson plans and evaluations, student work samples demonstrating progress, assessment data and analysis, professional development certificates, teaching observations and feedback, examples of resources you’ve created, evidence of extracurricular contributions, parent/student testimonials, and awards or recognitions. Pupils’ work, assessment data and testimonials must be anonymised and used only with your school’s permission: they belong to the school, not to you.
Evidence Selection: Choosing examples that demonstrate impact not everything you’ve ever done, but carefully selected pieces showing your strengths and development.
Reflective Practice: Writing reflections demonstrating your analytical thinking, continuous improvement mindset, and professional growth over time.
Digital Portfolios: Creating online portfolios using platforms like Google Sites or WordPress for easy sharing with potential employers.
Portfolio Presentation: Using your PDP effectively in interviews to support answers with concrete evidence, impressing panels with your preparation and professionalism.
Maintaining Your PDP: Building habits to continuously update your portfolio throughout your career, ensuring it’s always current and comprehensive.
You’ll leave with: A comprehensive, professional PDP ready to present at applications/interviews, plus systems for ongoing maintenance.
Course Delivery and Investment
This course is delivered in multiple formats to suit your needs:
Option 1: One-Day Intensive Workshop
- 6 hours covering all three modules
- Hands-on CV writing and portfolio development
- Mock interview practice with peers
- Immediate implementation
Option 2: Three Evening Sessions
- 2 hours per session over three weeks
- Allows time for CV drafting and refinement between sessions
- Deeper practice and feedback
- Flexible for working teachers
Option 3: One-to-One Coaching
- Completely personalised to your specific situation
- Flexible scheduling
- Maximum attention and customisation
- Ideal for senior leadership applications
Investment: £197 reduced from £497
Returns: a stronger application can be the difference between an interview and a rejection, and between staying where you are and moving up.
Success Stories
These are the words of individual participants. Results vary, and depend on your own circumstances and effort.
“I’d applied for 15 teaching positions without a single interview. After this course, I rewrote my CV completely and prepared properly. I got interviews for 4 of my next 5 applications and three job offers. The course was worth thousands.” – Rachel, NQT seeking first position
“As an experienced teacher pursuing leadership, I was competing with candidates who already held HOD positions. The interview coaching was game-changing—I learned to articulate my leadership vision confidently. I’m now Head of Science.” – David, Teacher → Head of Department
“Applying for international positions, I had no idea how to present myself to overseas schools. This course taught me to tailor applications and portfolios for different contexts. I secured my dream position in Dubai.” – Fatima, UK Teacher → International School Teacher
Your Next Step
Don’t let weak applications or poor interview performance prevent you from achieving your career goals. Invest in the skills that unlock opportunities.
Enrol today:
- Visit: www.academicamentoring.com/training
- Email: info@academicamentoring.com
- Phone: 07725 974 831
Your next great teaching opportunity awaits. Make sure you’re ready to seize it.