When you apply for that dream teaching position, chances are another candidate has submitted a stellar application with an educational background, classroom experience, and GPA similar to yours. The interview is your chance to stand out and make a lasting and unforgettable impression that proves you are truly the best candidate for the job. Follow these tips to make sure you confidently ace any teaching interview.
Be Prepared
Practice sample interview questions. Common topics employers will ask about are personal background, student teaching, classroom management, curriculum planning, and hypothetical situations. While it is important to practice an educationally sound response, make sure your responses are genuine. Don't merely tell the interviewer what you think they want to hear. To stand out, support each of your answers with specific evidence that highlights what a great, dedicated educator you are. Prepare a teaching portfolio to help support your answers. Include documents like lesson plans, parent-teacher communications, and letters of recommendation.
Communication Skills
In addition to having well-formed responses, you must be able to confidently and clearly articulate your answers. Find someone who will be brutally honest with you to practice your communication skills with. Make sure your voice has an enthusiastic, confident tone that relays your desire to be part of the school's teaching staff. Use eye contact to further communicate your excitement. Practice using good posture, a strong handshake, and appropriate body language. Speak concisely and clearly-no mumbling! Teachers must communicate well with students and other professionals. Prove to the interviewer that communication is one of your strong points.
Do Your Homework
Prior to the interview, research and find out as much about the position and school as possible. When you put extra effort into preparing for an interview, it will show and the interviewer will know how serious you are about the position. Scour the school's website for information that relates to your qualifications. Talk to community members and teachers about the school. Complement the interviewer on accomplishments like a recent grant or high test scores. Address how you can solve a problem the district faces like limited funds or the need for an academic quiz bowl team adviser. Also, make sure you know the name of the interviewer and how to pronounce it-a quick call to the school's secretary can clear up any uncertainties.
Listen
You may be a bundle of nerves during the interview, which can make concentrating difficult. However, it is vital that you listen to the interviewer. Make sure your answers clearly match the question asked. Look for opportunities to build-off of what the interviewer is saying. For example if the interviewer mentions the district's desire to increase service learning opportunities, make sure to explain your personal interest and ideas. Also, look for opportunities to ask the interviewer questions. This will show you are confident and interested. It will also make the interview feel like a comfortable conversation compared to a drill session.
Follow-up
Make sure to end the interview on a positive note. Thank the interviewer for her time and express you keen interest in the position. You may also want to politely ask when they tentatively plan on making a decision. Immediately after the interview, write a thank-you letter to each interviewer present. Keep the letter short and professional. Thank them for their time and express your enthusiasm about the position. If you really bombed a question or think of something important you forgot to mention, you can include this information in your letter. Also, you may share your impression of why you are the perfect fit for the teaching position. Within in the next several days, make a follow-up phone call. Even if you do not receive the job, thank the administrator for the interview opportunity and express your desire to work for the district if another position opens. Who knows? You may have been number two on the list and a new position could open soon!
Be Prepared
Practice sample interview questions. Common topics employers will ask about are personal background, student teaching, classroom management, curriculum planning, and hypothetical situations. While it is important to practice an educationally sound response, make sure your responses are genuine. Don't merely tell the interviewer what you think they want to hear. To stand out, support each of your answers with specific evidence that highlights what a great, dedicated educator you are. Prepare a teaching portfolio to help support your answers. Include documents like lesson plans, parent-teacher communications, and letters of recommendation.
Communication Skills
In addition to having well-formed responses, you must be able to confidently and clearly articulate your answers. Find someone who will be brutally honest with you to practice your communication skills with. Make sure your voice has an enthusiastic, confident tone that relays your desire to be part of the school's teaching staff. Use eye contact to further communicate your excitement. Practice using good posture, a strong handshake, and appropriate body language. Speak concisely and clearly-no mumbling! Teachers must communicate well with students and other professionals. Prove to the interviewer that communication is one of your strong points.
Do Your Homework
Prior to the interview, research and find out as much about the position and school as possible. When you put extra effort into preparing for an interview, it will show and the interviewer will know how serious you are about the position. Scour the school's website for information that relates to your qualifications. Talk to community members and teachers about the school. Complement the interviewer on accomplishments like a recent grant or high test scores. Address how you can solve a problem the district faces like limited funds or the need for an academic quiz bowl team adviser. Also, make sure you know the name of the interviewer and how to pronounce it-a quick call to the school's secretary can clear up any uncertainties.
Listen
You may be a bundle of nerves during the interview, which can make concentrating difficult. However, it is vital that you listen to the interviewer. Make sure your answers clearly match the question asked. Look for opportunities to build-off of what the interviewer is saying. For example if the interviewer mentions the district's desire to increase service learning opportunities, make sure to explain your personal interest and ideas. Also, look for opportunities to ask the interviewer questions. This will show you are confident and interested. It will also make the interview feel like a comfortable conversation compared to a drill session.
Follow-up
Make sure to end the interview on a positive note. Thank the interviewer for her time and express you keen interest in the position. You may also want to politely ask when they tentatively plan on making a decision. Immediately after the interview, write a thank-you letter to each interviewer present. Keep the letter short and professional. Thank them for their time and express your enthusiasm about the position. If you really bombed a question or think of something important you forgot to mention, you can include this information in your letter. Also, you may share your impression of why you are the perfect fit for the teaching position. Within in the next several days, make a follow-up phone call. Even if you do not receive the job, thank the administrator for the interview opportunity and express your desire to work for the district if another position opens. Who knows? You may have been number two on the list and a new position could open soon!
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