Rejected on Monday. Interview by Friday.

Well, that didn’t take long.

My friend applied for a school coordinator role and, within days, got the classic “thanks but no thanks” rejection email.

On paper, it looked like a downgrade: slightly lower salary than her current Executive Assistant role. But when we actually dug into it?

• Eight more weeks of holidays.
• A ten-minute commute instead of battling traffic.
• Discounted private school fees.
• And a career path more aligned with her degree that could open future opportunities.
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So, all up a lifestyle upgrade disguised as a pay cut.

Still, I called it straight up: the school would probably go for someone already working in education, who knew their systems inside out. The old “we don’t want to train anyone” approach.

And… what do you know? That’s exactly what happened.

Except the chosen candidate turned the job down.

So the school picked up the phone and invited my friend to interview after all.

Here’s the kicker: she does have a Bachelor of Education.

She just never became a teacher — she went into banking and corporate instead. But her skills? Coordination, communication, leadership, discretion, stakeholder management. All transferable.

Makes me want to produce a TV show one day called “Dumb Hiring Decisions.”

Why?

• Traditional hiring = tick-boxing for industry-specific experience and system knowledge.
• Skills-based hiring = looking at what someone can actually do — regardless of where they’ve done it.
• When organisations stick with the first, they overlook great candidates and waste time.

So the next time you get rejected, remember: sometimes it’s not you. It’s the process wearing blinkers. And those blinkers have a funny way of slipping off when the “perfect” candidate bails.

~Lisa

Your Q&A

What are your weaknesses?

Hi Lisa,

I finished my Master’s degree in teaching mid-year, and I’m currently looking for a job. I’ve had a couple of interviews so far and have been asked, “What are your weaknesses?”

I don’t really know how to answer the question. Should I use something like my lack of experience as a weakness? Or should I say that I lack experience, but have valuable experience, and I am eager and passionate about this career choice?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Ann

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Hi Ann,

That question isn’t really about your weaknesses at all.

It’s a sneaky way of asking: Are you self-aware? And are you actually doing anything about it?

Now, here’s the kicker: I’ve spoken to a stack of Principals in the last few years, and do you know what they’ve all said?

They love hiring graduates. Why?

Because you don’t come in with ten years of “This is how I’ve always done it.” You’re fresh, flexible, and open to learning how their school works.

So no, your “lack of experience” is not a weakness.

The smart move? Think back to your ATP (final prac) reports. Remember those bits of feedback where your mentor politely said, “You’re doing great, but here’s what you need to work on”? That’s your answer.

For example:

• Maybe your classroom transitions were a bit clunky. So you started timing yourself, watching other teachers, and refining your routines.
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• Or maybe your behaviour management voice was still finding its volume. So you worked on consistency and picked up strategies from your mentor.
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That way, when they ask, you’re not just confessing sins — you’re showing them you know how to reflect (hello, AITSL Domain 3), and that you’re already on the path to improvement.

Because the worst answer? “I don’t have any weaknesses.” That’s either delusion… or a red flag.

Thanks for writing in.

~Lisa​