Tips on employing conductors

There are as many different ways to employ conductors as there are circumstances in which they may be employed. There can be no hard and fast rules that apply from country to country. We offer here a few general tips from the experience of the Foundation for Conductive Education which, over the years, has probably recruited more conductors than most.

1. First, catch your rabbit. You can advertise here on this Job Centre or on other web-pages. Conductors certainly do scan the web looking for employment. You can place advertisements in the Hungarian national press (surprisingly expensive, and not all that productive). You can approach an agency that will offer you a service package. The best way remains through the conductors grape-vine which you will have to access either through a conductor or somebody who knows one.
   
   
2. Offer a reasonable package. There is no set salary. As a very general rule, conductors around the world are paid at about equivalent to the salary level of a teacher, at a similar career point, in the countries in which they work. If you hear reports to the contrary, either very much above this level or very much below, check.
   
   
3. Money’s not everything.Does the proposed job offer proper terms and conditions, reasonable security, appropriate insurance (not least professional indemnity). Any accommodation provided should be at an appropriate standard. Above all, nobody should offer or accept a job without an proper legal contract.
   
   
4. Know what you want. So you want to employ a conductor. Make sure that you know what you want before you start. Are you happy with someone at career-entry level or do you need someone with greater practical experience? Do you want someone who will write reports, communicate with other professionals, speak or even teach about Conductive Education? Do you want someone to work with children or with adults? You will have to weigh the relative advantages of cost vs need, then make it very clear what you require.
   
   
5. Check what you're offered. Treat employing a conductor like you would employing somebody in any other walk of life: ask for references from previous employers; ask for evidence of qualifications: ask for a CV; interview (if only by telephone). In the UK a Criminals Record Bureau (CRB) check or equivalent also will be required.