Interview Tips for Teachers - Part II
I'm finally posting installment #2 of Interview Tips. It's loooooong, but I think it's worth it. See the first installment for more info as well as some background info. I'm labeling this for teachers, but most of these tips really apply for all interviews. Third and last installment to come, sometime this century. Enjoy!
Tips on the Interview Process
- You are being interviewed from the second you schedule an interview. All of the principals noted that if a candidate is pushy, rude, or dismissive when scheduling their meeting, their secretary is sure to say something about it.
- Be prepared for different interview styles. Some may be more structured, with a set of specific questions, or the interviewer(s) may ask one or two very open ended questions and allow a more candidate-led interview. Think about what and how much you say in either scenario; your potential employer is observing not only what you say, but how you say it. The panel all agreed that candidates who give seemingly never-ending answers, or blabbered on about anything and everything, came across as nervous and unconfident, not to mention boring. As one principal said, "sometimes it's better to say less than more."
- Also be prepared for both one-on-one and group interviews. You might be able to politely ask about this - for example, you may ask the secretary "With whom will I be meeting?" or, "I want to bring enough copies of my resume - how many should I print?"
- Do your homework. This was a key point that was underscored numerous times throughout the session. You must do your research ahead of time. This includes everything from knowing where the school is and how to get there to your personal views and beliefs about education. Here's a rundown of items mentioned:
- Name of the school, location, how to get there (Don't ask the secretary; use GPS or Google maps. Take a practice drive if you're unsure of the directions).
- The principal's name.
- General demographic of the district; general understanding of any specific issues or unique features of the school or district.
- Your personal opinions about "hot" or important education issues - e.g. open enrollment, academic eligibility for athletics, etc.
- School report card, mission, etc.
- Be aware/abreast of current reform issues. Be able to speak eloquently and knowledgeably of these issues and your positions on them.
- Likewise, be familiar with state and national assessment contents. One principal mentioned the website datawarehouse.com, which he said provides high stakes exam data and trend analysis. You might want to look at the district's performance on these exams.
- Be aware of various professional organizations, and join the appropriate ones for you.
- Know why you want to move. If you are already employed at another district, be prepared to explain why you want to leave it. Always give a positive answer - no principal wants to hear you say "well my co-workers are a bunch of idiots." A better answer would be "I'm looking for more professional development opportunities."
- Know why you want to work at that school or district. What's in it for you? "Employment" is not an answer; find something unique about the school, or frame your answer in terms of your own personal and professional development.
- Interviewers will try to uncover your belief system. For example, at the end of the interview, you might be asked "Is there any topic you thought I'd ask you that I didn't ask?" All of the principals said they use this question to dig at something deeper about the candidate; however, they varied in what kind of responses they like to hear. One said to try not to answer this question: by answering it, you might be revealing too much about yourself, and implying that the principal wasn't smart enough to ask the question. On the other hand, another principal said that they want an answer from candidates, to know they were prepared for the interview, and to uncover what other issues/topics they are concerned with. So it's a toss up, but I think once again you'll want to say less rather than more; keep any answer you give succinct.
