Interview Skills
Interviews for teacher candidates are likely to be different from other interview formats that you may have experienced to date. Whether this is your first professional interview after completing your education or you are changing to the education field, the basics must be learned again and be tailored to the new industry.
Preparing for the Interview
- Getting Ready
- Arriving at the Interview
- During the Interview
- Closing the Interview
- After the Interview
Type of Questions You Will Likely Be Asked….
Education Interview Questions
Good Online Resources
Preparing for the Interview - Checklist for Success
(Adapted from MSN CareerBuilder.com)
Getting Ready
- Research the school / school board or general employer
- Learn as much as you can about the position
- Improve your appearance - get a haircut, manicure, shine your shoes, etc.
- Practice answering questions - Practice out loud, by yourself, book a mock interview to receive feedback
- Develop insightful questions to ask
- Review examples of your successes at work
- Confirm the time, date, place and details of the interview
- Get enough rest
- Be prepared for the unexpected
- Bring extra resumes and hard copy samples from your portfolio + your laptop / digital portfolio
Arriving at the Interview
- Make sure you arrive 10 - 15 minutes early to the reception area
- Review your notes and resume
- Take a few deep breaths and relax
- No smoking beforehand; no gum or mints
During the Interview
- Be enthusiastic
- Offer a firm handshake
- Correctly pronounce the name of the interviewer
- Maintain good eye contact with all interviewers
- Focus on your ability to do the job. Do not talk about personal problems
- Be specific. Think of concrete examples that illustrate your skills - Use the PAR Principle (Problem, Action, Result)
- Emphasize your qualifications
- Speak positively about co-workers and former employers
Closing the Interview
- Emphasize your interest
- Summarize your qualifications
- Thank the interviewer for the opportunity
- Find out when you can call to follow up and /or when they anticipate making a decision
- If offered the job, take time to evaluate it before accepting or rejecting
After the Interview
- Write and send (by fax or e-mail) a thank you letter within 24-48 hours
- Jot down your impressions of the interview, the job and the company
- Review your performance and decide what you did well and what needs work
Type of Questions You Will Likely Be Asked….
1.
Personal Qualities and Traits (e.g., strengths and areas for improvement)
2.
Classroom Set Up (e.g., what it would look like if a principal walked by)
3.
Program and Curriculum (e.g., how would you design a lesson/unit/tie to expectations)
4.
Instructional Practices (e.g., variety of ways to deliver lessons, engage learners)
5.
Classroom Management (e.g., what are your philosophies and ways of management)
6.
Special Needs - Wide Range of Students in Class (e.g., how do you deal with them all?)
7.
Assessment and Evaluation (e.g., how often, when, what types, how communicated etc.)
8.
Computer Technology (e.g., what skills, contributions and when appropriate in classroom?)
9.
Personal Contributions (e.g., to the school, class and profession - professional development and extracurricular)
10.
Scenario Questions (e.g., what would you do in this situation, short case studies)
From: Wally Moffat, Getting the Job You Want!, ETFO, 2000.
Education Interview Questions
Sample education interview questions will be discussed in the January 18, 2008 Interview Preparation Seminar and provided in the class handout. Additional questions are also available through Career + Employment Services when you book a practice interview.
Good Online Resources
Although not specific to education interviews, these articles contain valuable tips:
Body-Language Tactics That Sway Interviewers
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- The First Moments
- How Close Can You Get?
- How Do You Speak?
- Maintain Eye Contact
- Posture and Gestures
- Reading Interviewers
Calming Your Interview Jitters
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10 Tricks to Acing the Interview
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- Do your research
- Shut up and listen
- Remember what's in your resume and cover letter
- Know how your qualifications relate to the company's needs
- Don't forget to prepare for telephone pre-screen interviews
- Practice
- Save the salary talk for later
- Have a list of questions for the interviewer
- Be confident
- Follow up
Avoid These 10 Interview Bloopers
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Poor handshake
Talking too much
Talking negatively about current or past employers/managers
Showing up late or too early
Treating the [administrative staff] rudely
Asking about benefits, vacation time or salary
Not preparing for the interview
Verbal ticks
Not enough / too much eye contact
Failure to match communication styles
Jokes in Interviews No Laughing Matter
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Follow through on the follow-up
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Monster.ca - Interview Centre
- Valuable resources and articles
