Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the questions people most frequently ask us:

How much do your services cost?

You can find out all about my

  • SAF reviews here

  • Teacher Interview Confidence Coaching Services here

  • My membership called the Teachers’ Promotion Club here

  • Leadership Interview Coaching Course here

  • Teacher Interview Coaching Course here

Do you prepare teachers for roles as a deputy principal in a special school/HSCL/further education roles etc?

Yes, I have coached teachers for hospital settings, prison settings, special school roles etc in teaching and leadership roles. I invite you to have a chat with me in a clarity call to discuss your particular setting.

Do you coach post-primary teachers?

Yes - absolutely! Almost 50 % of my clients are post-primary teachers. Together we work on helping teachers show that their experience as a class tutor, in pastoral care roles, on teaching sub-committees etc are great points to note in their job applications and interviews.

Do you review application forms for teaching replying for AP 1 and 2 positions?

Yes. I have a special interest in leadership positions and I've spoken with lots of principals to find out their experiences of recruitment for management positions to find out what they are looking for and why successful candidates excel in their interviews.

I'm extremely au fait with the 4 domains from ‘Looking at Our School 2022 - A Quality Framework for Primary Schools’ required for management positions and through powerful questioning, I help clients to brainstorm their unique leadership-based experiences and record them effectively under the headings: Leading Learning and Teaching,  Managing the Organisation, Leading School Development and Developing Leadership Capacity.

Can I book a session with you?

Yes, that would be my pleasure. If you know that you want to book a session with me and you want to book directly click here.

When should I book in my session with you?

I have found that this decision varies from person to person. Some teachers like to book their time well in advance - so that they can work on their answers after the session. They book approx 10 days before their interview.

Others like the information to be fresh in their head and book their session 3-4 days before their interview. 

I advise you to keep an eye on my availability using my calendar here.

Do you sell or provide interview answers?

No, I don't. Interviews in education are competency-based interviews and so, the answers that you will need are based on YOUR teaching experience. That means that you will need to gather stories from your career that show that you have competencies like 

  • being a team player
  • communicating well with others
  • dealing with difficult situations etc

In my guides and online courses - I show you how to gather this evidence and explain it in a succinct and clear way - while communicating the necessary buzzwords in a natural way. 

Check out my leadership interview services here.

Check out my teacher-level interview services here.

I have a specific question about my SAF – I need your advice.

By all means, please do message me, I love to help people! I am unable however, to answer specific queries to your questions by email or DM.

What I will do is respond on my social media channels using the stories features on Facebook and Instagram so that others can also learn from your query. In this way, I can help others who perhaps had the same concern. 

What is career coaching?

Career Coaching helps people to make informed decisions about their career development and path forward. This involves gaining a deeper understanding of the past, present and future for a client. It is a transformative process, which is solution-driven and insightful.  It helps people assess their professional situations with a greater degree of curiosity, empathy, honesty and compassion.  

Coaching is not telling people what to do; it is helping them clarify and control their life. It is helping them evaluate what they are doing now in their life in the light of their goals, dreams, values and intentions. It gives them new choices and leads to change.

Coaching helps a person go beyond the mental blocks of what they thought was possible.

What are the benefits of career coaching?

A career coach will:

  • Listen intently without judgment and with total confidentiality.

  • Meet the client where they are at emotionally and cognitively.

  • Hold the client accountable to the actions he/she has committed to take between sessions.

  • Guide the client to realisations about themselves and the stories that they have been tell that have been holding them back.

  • Enable the client to move forward with support.

  • Facilitate change.

  • Help with retirement planning. Gain an insight into what you want to achieve in your retirement and with your free time.

  • Create a focused and supportive environment in which the client is free to discuss the issues that are at times, sensitive and important to them.

Email me at hello@orladempseycoaching.ie if you would like to avail of any of these options or have a career-related request of your own.

I want to make a change and attend coaching but I don’t have much time, I’m not sure I can commit to regular meetings.

I know how busy life is as a teacher. You are perhaps working full time also with kids and you have many life commitments. I know it can seem difficult to make the time for something else new.

However, in order for you to get the most out of your coaching sessions, it is important for you to carve out 1-3 hours a week or fortnight to focus on YOU and make efforts towards your goal.

If you can find this time, then I am happy to work with you. Your progress is important to me.

The clients who make time in their lives to make the changes they desire are the ones who achieve the most success.

Is success something you want for yourself too?

Do you only work with women?

No, I work with both men and women. I think, however, that I have more to offer driven, successful women like myself who want real change for themselves and those around them.

If you are a man – successful, driven and if you feel that you resonate with my message then by all means, please contact me to see how I can help!

Do you only work with teachers?

Given my background as a Primary School Teacher, I feel that I have lots to offer others who are in the position that I was once in. I understand the need for change and new challenges, the need for connection with staff members, the struggle to find an effective work/life balance and the fear that nobody understands me.

If you feel that you too experience these feelings and you could benefit from coaching (and you are not a teacher) reach out and we can see if I’m the right person to help you. If not, I can recommend a colleague who may be best suited to your needs.

Do you do other types of life coaching?

Yes, as a fully trained and accredited Life Coach I coach clients through lots of different types of goals and move them forward in all areas of life.

Life Coaching is a holistic approach whereby we understand that changes in one area of life will have knock-on effects and changes in other areas of life too.

If you have an intention in mind contact me to see how I can help.

I’m not a newly qualified teacher – will I still find your services useful?

Absolutely! As a teacher with 13+ years of experience, I’ve been at most stages along the job-seeking journey. I’ve been struggling to find my first teaching job, disillusioned with the lack of jobs, I’ve been frustrated with the barriers to getting my name ‘out there and I’ve worked in a permanent capacity.

My services are for any teacher feeling disillusioned, frustrated and lost – whether that be in the job-seeking season or if you are feeling unhappy in your current role.

I’m not qualified just yet, would you still recommend getting my CV/SAF reviewed?

There are many challenges and changes in the education system at present.

If you're even *thinking about your SAF - then you should start filling it in immediately. Why? because - once you have the basis of your form completed - you will know the process better and have a document to edit when the jobs are advertised. There's no 'right time' to complete your SAF! Learn more about how to get it reviewed here.

How does interview coaching work?

My interview coaching sessions are a central part of preparing to secure a job.

If you stumble over your words, lose your train of thought and worry excessively about your performance before and after the interview, I can help you.

Using coaching tools and preparing for interviews with me using the STAR Interview Technique can dramatically increase your interview performance and stop you from berating yourself afterwards (we’ve all been there!).

By improving your confidence and communication skills through interview coaching, you may choose to continue this work or focus on another aspect of your personal and professional development in my Interview Confidence Coaching Sessions.

What is the difference between management and leadership?

My favourite definition of a leader is: A leader is anyone who can influence others. Management can organise things, they can plan and get things done but they may not inspire others to get on board with their mission. Core soft skills for a leader include effective communication, interpersonal skills, authenticity, integrity, support, Do you know someone who is a great leader? What is it that makes them so effective?

What are the benefits of coaching to schools?

Post Covid-19 - schools and society, in general, face many new challenges. Working with a coach at the individual or whole school level means that there is support for all along the way. 

Teachers can gain clarity about what they want from life. They will go after it with passion because they have cleared away the obstacles that blocked them.

They will have a more satisfying and happier life in every aspect. Professionally, they will be more effective and skilled at their work and get better results. as a result of getting clear on how they can improve professionally and personally.

For schools, coaching is a long-term investment in organisational performance. Coaching is the most cost-effective way of getting higher performance from key individuals. Coaching is evidence of the school’s commitment to developing its people and contributes to a supportive organisational culture with high morale.

Coaching retains key employees and avoids:

  • The cost of retraining

  • The loss of company knowledge to competitors

  • The drop in productivity when personnel leave.

What are your qualifications?

Certificate and Diploma in Leadership Coaching with Coaching Academy Plus.(2022) I decided to join principals, deputy principals and teachers interested in gaining coaching skills this year. Brining coaching into schools will have very postive effect on leadership development, team cohesiveness and school growth and wellbeing.

Strengths Profile Accreditation (2019) I am a Strengths Profiling Accredited Coach which means that when you do the Strengths Profile Assessment, I can coach you to a deeper understanding of your personal strengths.

Accredited Diploma in Life and Business Coaching (2017) Fully Qualified and Accredited Life Coach with the Centre for Personal and Professional Development, Dublin.

Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship – 2016 (UCD) This course is designed to equip students with the skills of the future – teamwork, communication, marketing, creativity, innovation and much more.

H.D.I.P.E. 2008 (Hibernia College) Completed my Teacher Training and Diploma.

B.A. in Philosophy and Irish Culture 2002 – 2005 (UCC) Undergrad degree. An Leann Duchais (Irish Cultural Studies) was taught completely as Gaeilge. 

How do I access your free AP (or teaching) CV template?

What you're looking for is my short course called thr CV Success Academy. You can access the CV template, resources and explainer video here.

What services do you offer?

I work very much in the online space.  I have a wide number of online courses based on interviews and job applications for teachers. 

You can learn all about them here.

My teacher membership is a monthly investment. It's just €66 per month and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Click here.to register. 

I also offer a limited number of 1-1 SAF reviews and Interview Confidence Sessions. You can book a session here.

What can I do to improve my chances of getting a job back home?

The first thing I would say to do if you are looking to move back to your home county is to re-connect with your network there. Do you have friends working in schools there - tell them that you are looking for jobs in schools in your home county and ask them to keep an ear out for you.

Secondly - are there any ways that you can raise your profile?Create a list of ways that can you become better known back home and take action on them. Doing this will mean that principals will be more familiar with your name when you send off job applications. 

Joining The Teachers' Promotion Club is a fantastic way also for you to learn new strategies to develop your career in the location that suits you. Check it out here.