CV Content Questions Flashcards
Questions based on your CV content
Skills & Experience
What parts of your Fettes College experience will be most valuable here?
CV Knowledge
My experience at Fettes College involved extensive janitorial work including classroom setups, equipment logistics, campus cleanliness, and event support. These are directly transferable to any school environment, especially tasks that require teamwork, attention to detail and a high standard of professionalism.
Skills & Experience
Describe a typical day and task prioritization at Fettes.
CV Knowledge
A typical day involved reviewing task lists, coordinating with the Hospitality Coordinator for room and equipment setups, addressing cleaning needs like bin management or spills and updating the estates team about progress. I always ensured urgent tasks like safety issues or supporting events were prioritized as needed by the school
Skills & Experience
How would you handle a situation where essential janitorial supplies were delayed or missing?
Problem Solving Question
I would communicate with the suppliers to track deliveries and inform relevant staff of any delays. At Fettes, I was responsible for logistical tasks including delivery and storage, so I’m used to improvising and planning ahead to avoid disruption.
Skills & Experience
Tell us about a time you had to deal with a difficult or emergency maintenance situation. How did you handle it?
Problem Solving Question
Once during my time at Fettes, a large spill occurred near an exam area. I acted quickly to clean and secure the area, informed estates, and ensured signage was in place. My training in slips, trips and falls helped me handle it safely and efficiently.
Safety & Security
What does safeguarding mean to you in the context of working in a school?
Safeguarding
Safeguarding means protecting children from harm and ensuring their physical and emotional safety. In a school setting, this includes being aware of signs of abuse and knowing the correct procedure to follow if concerns arise. I take this responsibility seriously and I am trained to Level 2 standard.
Safety & Security
What would you do if a child disclosed something concerning to you?
Safeguarding
I would listen to the child carefully. I would reassure them that they’ve done the right thing by speaking up.
I wouldn’t promise confidentiality but I’d let them know I have to pass it on to someone who can help.
I would then report this immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
Safety & Security
You’re trained in fire awareness – how do you incorporate this skill into your daily routine in a school setting?
Fire Safety
I would make sure to familiarise myself with the schools policy on fire safety and familiarise myself with the alarm system and muster points. I would constantly check exits for fire hazards, monitor for anything unsafe, and report issues immediately.
Safety & Security
Given your background in security, how would you handle an unfamiliar adult seen wandering school premises?
(Please give an example)
Trespasser
As a former security officer at Fettes, I would calmly approach the individual, assess the situation, and either escort them to reception or contact senior staff/security if needed. I have had to do this with a wedding couple who wandered onto school grounds to take photos without permission - it was dealt with professionally and sensitively as above.
Safety & Security
Your CV states you have PREVENT training, can you give an example of when you have applied this?
Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Safeguarding
PREVENT has taught me to recognize early warning signs of radicalization.
While I’ve never encountered a case, I would remain observant and report any concerns to the safeguarding lead as soon as possible.
Interpersonal Skills & Values
You’ve worked with both children and elderly people – what skills help you communicate respectfully with vulnerable populations?
Communication
At Elder Homes, I worked closely with elderly residents, emphasizing compassion and patience.
I bring the same respectful approach to children—maintaining friendly professionalism while being supportive and vigilant.
Interpersonal Skills & Values
The role requires teamwork with teachers and admin staff. How do you ensure good communication across different departments?
Teamworking
At Fettes, I liaised daily with the estates team, Hospitality Coordinator and other staff.
Clear updates, respect for everyone’s roles and reliability helped me maintain smooth operations on campus.
Interpersonal Skills & Values
ESMS emphasizes values like kindness, confidence, and integrity. Which of these speaks to you most, and how have you shown it in your work?
School Ethos and Values
Kindness.
Whether working with students or colleagues, I believe kindness builds trust and makes a difference.
I always try to be approachable and helpful in every role I take on and I try to maintain good relationships with all my colleagues at all times.
Work Ethic & Adaptability
Your CV highlights resilience and a “can-do” attitude.
Can you tell us about a time you had to adapt to a last-minute change at work?
(Please give an example)
Adaptability, Improvisation and Resilience
During events at Fettes, changes to setups were common. I remained calm, reprioritized tasks and often worked beyond scheduled hours to ensure everything was ready. My military background always taught me to “improvise, adapt, and overcome.”
Work Ethic & Adaptability
How do you stay motivated during routine or repetitive tasks?
Work Ethic
I take pride in doing things right the first time.
Even with repetitive cleaning or maintenance tasks - I focus on quality and consistency, as I know this contributes greatly to a safe and welcoming environment
Work Ethic & Adaptability
What would you do if a teacher needed urgent help setting up a classroom, but you were in the middle of cleaning another area?
Colleagues
Prioritisation / Problem Solving
I would first assess the urgency - if a teacher needed immediate help and my current task wasn’t safety-related then I would assist them first and then return to the previous task.
If my current task had a safety element to it then I would have to politely inform the teacher that I will be with them as soon as I can after dealing with the safety critical event first.
Communication is the key to maintaining good relationships with colleauges.
Practical Knowledge
Walk us through how you would handle a major spill in a hallway during school hours?
Spills, Sanitation and Cleanliness
I would secure the area with warning signs then clean it thoroughly and update the estates team if extra help or equipment was needed.
I’ve done this many times during my time at Fettes however in a new school I would always refer to the school policy on the management of spills, especially if it involves a hazardous chemical or there is an infection risk (such as with blood, vomit or human waste)
Practical Knowledge
How would you ensure cleanliness and hygiene, especially in high-traffic school areas like toilets and lunchrooms?
Spills, Sanitation and Cleanliness
I would perform routine checks with close attention to detail and use proper cleaning agents for the right surfaces, especially disinfectants that are safe and effective in public environments ensuring all surfaces and waste are handled professionally.
Practical Knowledge
“How do you ensure you’re using cleaning chemicals safely?”
Spills, Sanitation and Cleanliness
I always read the labels and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
I make sure to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves or goggles if needed
I NEVER MIX chemicals - as this can release dangerous toxic gas.
When finished, I always store chemicals properly as per the school policy.
Skills & Experience
Tell us about a time you had to coordinate with multiple teams or departments to get a job done.
(Give an example)
Problem Solving / Teamwork
At Fettes College, I regularly coordinated with the Hospitality Coordinator, events staff and the estates team for setups like exams or special events. Communication and clear task division were key to smooth operations.
Skills & Experience
What’s the most challenging manual handling task you’ve dealt with, and how did you ensure safety?
(Give an example)
Problem Solving / Reflection
Setting up large events at Fettes often required moving heavy gazebos or staging materials. I used proper lifting techniques and followed my Manual Handling training to prevent injury.
Safety & Security
What do you do when you see a colleague ignoring basic safety protocols?
Problem Solving / Communication / Discretion
In a professional and sensitive way I would firstly remind the colleague about the importance of safety—especially in a school and ask if they could please adhere to the safety protocols.
If this did not work then I would need to escalate to a supervisor, as there can be no compromise on safety in a school.
Safety & Security
What kind of situations would prompt you to escalate an issue to senior staff or emergency services?
Safety / Problem Solving
I have acted as a first point of contact for emergency services in the past.
If I detected a fire risk, suspicious activity, or medical emergency, I’d immediately alert senior staff or contact emergency services as appropriate.
You might consider using the “shop at Fettes being broken into as an example here and the contact with police”
Interpersonal Skills & Values
How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with coworkers or supervisors?
Conflict Resolution
I approach conflicts calmly and respectfully. I value teamworking and prefer open communication to resolve misunderstandings before they escalate.
Interpersonal Skills & Values
How would you respond if a student asked you for help with a personal issue or seemed distressed?
Safeguarding
Following my Level 2 Safeguarding training - I would listen carefully, try to maintain confidentiality but not promise this and then refer the concern to the designated safeguarding lead or appropriate staff member,
Practical Knowledge
What cleaning products or chemicals are you most familiar with, and how do you use them safely?
Cleaning and Sanitation
At Elder Homes and Fettes, I used a range of disinfectants, sanitizers, and degreasers. I followed manufacturer instructions, used PPE, and ensured proper ventilation when using strong chemicals.
Practical Knowledge
How would you handle a blocked toilet or other plumbing issue in a student restroom?
Cleaning, Hygiene & Sanitation
I would assess whether it’s safe to attempt unblocking with basic tools.
If it’s more serious - I would isolate the area and place appropriate signage and then report it for professional plumbing support.
Practical Knowledge
How do you ensure that cleaning or maintenance doesn’t disrupt learning or teaching activities?
Cleaning, Hygiene & Sanitation
I would schedule around class times where possible and use quiet equipment. I would always check with teaching staff before entering learning spaces.
Employee Welfare
How do you like to unwind or destress?
List one or two (maximum) hobbies or interests that you like to do.
Keep it brief
