I was recently part of an interview team for a small college in east Tennessee that was hiring an associate director level position. If you have been following my articles or been reading books on interview tactics, you know the importance of making clear the special things you will do for the prospective employer. Employers will sometimes not ask that question directly, but should it be asked, it is easy to mishandle. Candidates who have done little thinking about this issue often offer tepid, weak answers. To avoid this pitfall, you need to think about this before you ever set foot in that interview room. In this way, you can often step right to the front of the interview pool with a sharp response. Here is the question I asked.
Q. Would you please take a moment and tell the committee the specific benefits you would bring to the position if you were hired.
I have asked this question before and all too many candidates offer a long list of vague generalities or personal qualities. Answers like, "I'm a team player" or "I always give 110%" will not do! They are weak and sound like everyone else who had given no thought to this question. Moreover, telling the committee you have excellent problem solving skills or innovative ideas is not much better. We also hear that kind of clap trap all the time. Your only hope to set yourself apart is to be specific;
underscore accomplishments and specific practices. Here are three ways to accomplish that goal.
1. Identify any accolades you have received. I was teacher of the year in 2011... I was the top student teacher of my class... my students selected me to speak at their end of year dinner... I was selected to be editor of our school newsletter... I was happy to be part of the principal's cabinet for school-wide spirit. Wherever you have received notice or an award, have those ready.
2. Use specific accomplishments for impact. On last year's state test every student achieved a "proficient" score on the math computations section... over 72% of the students in my class achieved grades of A or B for the year... I headed the committee to completely revise the 5th grade science curriculum and bring it into line with the state standards. Quantitative, objective indicators tell this committee you are producer and not just a talker.
3. Know what the school is looking for. Ok, people. How many times do I have to say this? You need to have a clear recognition as to exactly what this school values and tie your responses to that vision. So, if you know the school just launched a program to improve parent relations, target that initiative. If there was recent staff development on technology in the class, find something in your background that speaks to those skills. Your skill sets MUST MATCH the areas those interviewers see as important. I have received numerous letters and spoken compliments from parents regarding my class website and communications... I have recently completed training on SmartBoards and their use in the class. The more items you can identify, the stronger you make your connection. THAT is how you raise your stock value. Better yet, offer compelling evidence of your success in those connections and really separate yourself from the also-ran candidates.
My last word of advice is to make certain you pre-think this and put the information on an index card you can practice. If you think you can go into an interview and just assemble all these thoughts on the fly, you are sadly mistaken. The delivery needs to be practiced over and over until it becomes second nature. When you offer your answer using these ideas, you will impress the committee as a great hire. This needs organization and practice... so go do it and be ready to knock this tough question right out of the park.
Q. Would you please take a moment and tell the committee the specific benefits you would bring to the position if you were hired.
I have asked this question before and all too many candidates offer a long list of vague generalities or personal qualities. Answers like, "I'm a team player" or "I always give 110%" will not do! They are weak and sound like everyone else who had given no thought to this question. Moreover, telling the committee you have excellent problem solving skills or innovative ideas is not much better. We also hear that kind of clap trap all the time. Your only hope to set yourself apart is to be specific;
underscore accomplishments and specific practices. Here are three ways to accomplish that goal.
1. Identify any accolades you have received. I was teacher of the year in 2011... I was the top student teacher of my class... my students selected me to speak at their end of year dinner... I was selected to be editor of our school newsletter... I was happy to be part of the principal's cabinet for school-wide spirit. Wherever you have received notice or an award, have those ready.
2. Use specific accomplishments for impact. On last year's state test every student achieved a "proficient" score on the math computations section... over 72% of the students in my class achieved grades of A or B for the year... I headed the committee to completely revise the 5th grade science curriculum and bring it into line with the state standards. Quantitative, objective indicators tell this committee you are producer and not just a talker.
3. Know what the school is looking for. Ok, people. How many times do I have to say this? You need to have a clear recognition as to exactly what this school values and tie your responses to that vision. So, if you know the school just launched a program to improve parent relations, target that initiative. If there was recent staff development on technology in the class, find something in your background that speaks to those skills. Your skill sets MUST MATCH the areas those interviewers see as important. I have received numerous letters and spoken compliments from parents regarding my class website and communications... I have recently completed training on SmartBoards and their use in the class. The more items you can identify, the stronger you make your connection. THAT is how you raise your stock value. Better yet, offer compelling evidence of your success in those connections and really separate yourself from the also-ran candidates.
My last word of advice is to make certain you pre-think this and put the information on an index card you can practice. If you think you can go into an interview and just assemble all these thoughts on the fly, you are sadly mistaken. The delivery needs to be practiced over and over until it becomes second nature. When you offer your answer using these ideas, you will impress the committee as a great hire. This needs organization and practice... so go do it and be ready to knock this tough question right out of the park.
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's 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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