It seemed like the interviews for our vacant science position were going quite well... at least we were somewhat on time. With over 60 applicants, we had narrowed the list to a neat eleven and had seen nine to this point. One applicant, a woman we will call Nancy, had a fair amount of experience at the high school level and a strong laboratory background. She was coming from St. Louis and had asked to be later in the process. No problem. We had plenty to do while she made her way across country. Today was her interview day and, to be honest, the team was looking forward to meeting Nancy and finding out more about why someone with her background would travel half way across the country for a teaching position at a New Jersey high school.
The meeting time had been scheduled for 4:30pm and the team was gathered at my conference table near the windows. From this point we could see the parking lot and would know when the applicant arrived. As I was sipping my coke, my assistant principal who was facing the window muttered, "Well, this is interesting." As I turned to see what he meant, I saw this very old station wagon smoking and puffing up our driveway and into the parking lot. Worse, it had two windows that were covered with cardboard rather than glass. The back seat was full to the top with bags, clothes, and materials. We all looked at one another and I said, "Ya think this could be our candidate?!" We watched as a young woman emerged from the car and attempted to pull herself together. She had on a raincoat and a wide-brimmed rain hat similar to what a fisherman might wear. Finally, a large case and some folders were pulled out of the car and she started toward the front door.
A few moments later, my secretary announced that our 4:30 candidate was here and waiting. As I went out to greet her, I found myself wondering just how she had been able to pull herself together in such a few minutes. In short, she really hadn't. Nancy was attired in a brightly colored, large print house dress, and she carried with her three or four bags of varying sizes. As I introduced her around the table to our committee, the looks and body language of the members had a distinctively queried tone.
Interestingly, once she settled in and had an opportunity to take a few breaths, she interviewed quite well. Nancy had driven all the way from St. Louis to start a new life and be nearer her family. She had excellent credentials and it was easy to see that she knew good teaching and classroom routines. Nancy provided several examples of very innovative laboratory programs as well as an enthusiasm for teaching. Her responses to the questions were all on target and demonstrated good practice. In fact, from a numeric standpoint after tallying all the rating sheets, Nancy was in the top three.
Once all the interviews were completed, we began to talk about which candidates stood out and just which two we would bring back for the demonstration lesson. When it came to Nancy, one of our team members had concluded that her answers were fine, but she came across as disorganized and "probably not a good fit." When I asked the other committee members their thoughts, one replied that Nancy's appearance was more like Miss. Frizzle (the Magic School Bus teacher) than a solid professional, and perhaps she was not going to be a positive addition to the staff. As I went around the table, almost every evaluator had some concern regarding her arrival or general attire; they liked her answers but not her appearance or professional stance. At the end of the day, although close, Nancy was not one of the candidates we brought back for the demonstration lesson.
What went wrong? Here is the point to our little interview story. First visual impressions count! It has been said that you cannot win the interview process in the first 30 seconds, but you can certainly lose it. When schools might b e interviewing 10 or even 20 candidates, there are likely to be three to five candidates who come out on top of the list. At that point, who gets chosen will likely come down to what I call "the subjective intangibles." Which candidate had the more professional impact on us? In Nancy's case, she was fighting an uphill battle all the way. Her arrival in the sadly disheveled car and lack of initial organization never left the minds of the interview committee. Beyond that, Nancy's appearance was totally opposite of the professional look the school was seeking. As a result, all her good answers and sound experiences did not stand up well against the other good candidates. Do not let this happen to you.
Here are a few tips. When you come to your interview, be conservatively attired with everything looking fresh and neat Once you have the right appearance and professional look, develop a sound approach to handling your interview day. Arrive a little early and freshen yourself up in the men's room or ladies room. If you are bringing materials, a single small brief case with an extra resume, a pad, and a pencil or pen is all you need. Try not to look as if you are coming for a weekend stay. Make sure you know the names of your interview team and use them when the opportunity presents itself. Bottom line? This is a professional interview, so do everything you can to present yourself in that light.
Finally, there is the issue of likeability connection. This is no small matter and there are several things you can easily do that will help promote your position in this regard. 1. Use your smile and stay positive. 2. Where appropriate, let a good sense of humor show through. For example, if one of the interviewers says something that might be funny, respond accordingly. 3. If possible, use a good personal story as part of one of your answers. In short, seize chances to build personal bridges to the members of your committee whenever you can. Although the interview is not a social meeting and you do not wish to overdo this element of the process, you will undoubtedly see chances to use your energy, personality, and smile to good advantage. Use them! Now go wow that committee!!
The meeting time had been scheduled for 4:30pm and the team was gathered at my conference table near the windows. From this point we could see the parking lot and would know when the applicant arrived. As I was sipping my coke, my assistant principal who was facing the window muttered, "Well, this is interesting." As I turned to see what he meant, I saw this very old station wagon smoking and puffing up our driveway and into the parking lot. Worse, it had two windows that were covered with cardboard rather than glass. The back seat was full to the top with bags, clothes, and materials. We all looked at one another and I said, "Ya think this could be our candidate?!" We watched as a young woman emerged from the car and attempted to pull herself together. She had on a raincoat and a wide-brimmed rain hat similar to what a fisherman might wear. Finally, a large case and some folders were pulled out of the car and she started toward the front door.
A few moments later, my secretary announced that our 4:30 candidate was here and waiting. As I went out to greet her, I found myself wondering just how she had been able to pull herself together in such a few minutes. In short, she really hadn't. Nancy was attired in a brightly colored, large print house dress, and she carried with her three or four bags of varying sizes. As I introduced her around the table to our committee, the looks and body language of the members had a distinctively queried tone.
Interestingly, once she settled in and had an opportunity to take a few breaths, she interviewed quite well. Nancy had driven all the way from St. Louis to start a new life and be nearer her family. She had excellent credentials and it was easy to see that she knew good teaching and classroom routines. Nancy provided several examples of very innovative laboratory programs as well as an enthusiasm for teaching. Her responses to the questions were all on target and demonstrated good practice. In fact, from a numeric standpoint after tallying all the rating sheets, Nancy was in the top three.
Once all the interviews were completed, we began to talk about which candidates stood out and just which two we would bring back for the demonstration lesson. When it came to Nancy, one of our team members had concluded that her answers were fine, but she came across as disorganized and "probably not a good fit." When I asked the other committee members their thoughts, one replied that Nancy's appearance was more like Miss. Frizzle (the Magic School Bus teacher) than a solid professional, and perhaps she was not going to be a positive addition to the staff. As I went around the table, almost every evaluator had some concern regarding her arrival or general attire; they liked her answers but not her appearance or professional stance. At the end of the day, although close, Nancy was not one of the candidates we brought back for the demonstration lesson.
What went wrong? Here is the point to our little interview story. First visual impressions count! It has been said that you cannot win the interview process in the first 30 seconds, but you can certainly lose it. When schools might b e interviewing 10 or even 20 candidates, there are likely to be three to five candidates who come out on top of the list. At that point, who gets chosen will likely come down to what I call "the subjective intangibles." Which candidate had the more professional impact on us? In Nancy's case, she was fighting an uphill battle all the way. Her arrival in the sadly disheveled car and lack of initial organization never left the minds of the interview committee. Beyond that, Nancy's appearance was totally opposite of the professional look the school was seeking. As a result, all her good answers and sound experiences did not stand up well against the other good candidates. Do not let this happen to you.
Here are a few tips. When you come to your interview, be conservatively attired with everything looking fresh and neat Once you have the right appearance and professional look, develop a sound approach to handling your interview day. Arrive a little early and freshen yourself up in the men's room or ladies room. If you are bringing materials, a single small brief case with an extra resume, a pad, and a pencil or pen is all you need. Try not to look as if you are coming for a weekend stay. Make sure you know the names of your interview team and use them when the opportunity presents itself. Bottom line? This is a professional interview, so do everything you can to present yourself in that light.
Finally, there is the issue of likeability connection. This is no small matter and there are several things you can easily do that will help promote your position in this regard. 1. Use your smile and stay positive. 2. Where appropriate, let a good sense of humor show through. For example, if one of the interviewers says something that might be funny, respond accordingly. 3. If possible, use a good personal story as part of one of your answers. In short, seize chances to build personal bridges to the members of your committee whenever you can. Although the interview is not a social meeting and you do not wish to overdo this element of the process, you will undoubtedly see chances to use your energy, personality, and smile to good advantage. Use them! Now go wow that committee!!
My name is Robert W. Pollock. I am an educator, with over 34 years experience, a speaker, consultant, and author of 'Teacher Interviews. How to Get Them & How to Get Hired!. I have spoken to 1,000 of prospective teachers on how to interview and get the job. I have consulted with schools around the country. Currently I am a professor of Education at Tusculum College, Knoxville, TN, where I also serve as the president of their alumni board.
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