Interview Preparation for Teachers
Successful Interview Tips for a New Teaching Job
School's almost out and perhaps you are one of the many teachers who is looking for a teaching position for the next school year or a summer teaching job. Have you given much thought to this process? Here are some tips on interview advice and how to make those first impressions in a teaching interview count.
Practice Interview Listening Skills
Good listening techniques can be learned. For this, you need to listen with both your heart and your mind. Be a thoughtful listener, which will help you as a new teacher in the classroom as well. Doing this consistently will actually help you understand the school and its needs as opposed to what you think they want you to say.
Teaching Interview Questions and Answers
Have a variety of teaching interview questions ready. This shows real candidacy and your own willingness and expression of interest. Don't be upset if it looks to you as if the school is not intrigued with your efforts. It's the first impressions which count and each school has its own personality.
Think of some of the questions your interviewer (ie. principal, assistant principal) will ask and prepare five-six interview questions after gathering as much information as you can about the school. Use both offline and online resources. Bullet your answers. Try practicing a mock teaching interview either with your career counselor (if you have one) or with a student-teacher or fellow colleague.
Questions to Ask in the Teacher Interview
After you have researched the school online and familiarized yourself in terms of what it offers students, prepare for yourself a list of questions. If the website does not answer some of your initial questions, you can perhaps start with some of these:
- What are some of the teaching styles and approaches the school is looking for?
- What are the types of methodology and instruction (ie. diversified instruction) the school is looking for?
- What is the school perspective and policy on cooperative learning and discipline?
- What are some of the core curriculum values? (ie. cooperative learning, tolerance)
Then you can get into some of the more specific questions to ask in the interview such as:
- What are some of the teacher resources available to new teachers?
- What is their homework policy?
- When do they expect to make a decision? What are their next steps?
Bring Your Own Teacher Resources
Some new teachers tend to underestimate the importance of their own teacher resources and will bring them only if they are requested. After all, they only have completed one or two years of teaching, at most, and may feel that they do not have a lot to show. But truthfully, this is your time to let your teaching credentials shine.
Bring a portfolio consisting of sample lesson plans, student work, or any teaching certificates and degrees you have earned. What are some other resources that can go into the portfolio?
- any short resource material you have written for websites, teaching manuals, presentations, activities for any demonstrations
- bring at least two copies of your teaching resume and any other recommendations
- Share briefly the rationale of the resource and its success.
The saying: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" applies also to teaching interviews. Even if you walk out of an interview feeling you have nailed it, don't get your hopes up too high. Keep looking and arrange for more teaching interviews. Give the interview your best shot and hope for the best. The right school will eventually come along.
