Well, we are coming to another phase of the interview season; the late summer hiring period. This is the time when schools need to replace teachers who have indicated they are not returning for the fall. Although the greatest number of openings likely came in the spring, this late summer session can also be very brisk. More importantly, it offers a few advantages to those of you still in the hunt for a great teaching position. First, because of the late date, there are likely to be somewhat fewer available applicants. This increases your chances for an interview where you can show your stuff! Second, because school administrators want to fill their classrooms with a solid teacher for the opening of school, they are likely to make a decision more quickly. Now, here is the "but;" do not be overly deceived by these seeming advantages. There will still be competition and you will still need to be the clear choice when the interviews are completed.
With all this in mind, NOW is the time to redouble your effort. Get those applications filed or renewed. Make contact with schools where there might be an opening. Call your network of people and begin asking if they know of vacancies. Spend every single day between now and the opening of school combing the market. And most importantly; spend some time each day preparing for those potential interview questions!
We all know there are infinite varieties of great questions that can come at you in an interview. If you have been reading my book or following my articles, you also know that I consistently tell you to prepare, prepare, prepare. This article will give you three steps to prepare for your interview questions.
Take note of the usual interview question topics: Review my book and take note of the general areas almost every interview contains; lesson design, classroom management, state testing, parent relations, professionalism, and instructional skill. You can find typical examples of questions in each area and you need to have something prepared in advance.
Prepare an index card for each area: Place the question on the front of the card and YOUR answer on the back. Books may offer suggested answers and sound approaches to their questions, but it is important that you translate any sample offerings into your own words and your own background. Reciting a canned answer can never be delivered with the same conviction as something you believe or may have done.
Be certain your sample answer contains the essential ingredients to be memorable. If you plan to be "the better" candidate, then your answer needs to stand out from those of everyone else. To help do this, be sure to include a practical example or "story" about how the technique or ideas you express can or have been used in a real class. These examples should be as novel or innovative as you can make them. If you are experiencing difficulty in creating examples that have that quality, go to the internet and do some research (yes... I know that's extra work, but do you want the job or not?). To make your answer a home run, provide "evidence" that the example was successful. Quantitative or anecdotal evidence puts an exclamation point to your answer.
At the end, you should have a good dozen of these sample question cards. Keep reading them and rehearsing them until they are almost second nature. You will find that by having all these ideas clearly organized in your mind, you will enter that interview with confidence and authority. Your answers will be delivered in a crisp, professional manner. You will cast a positive, competent atmosphere throughout the entire room. The most important thing you can do in these late summer interviews is come in prepared and on fire. Know as much as you can about this school so you can demonstrate and speak to how you are the perfect fit to their organization. Let this school know you are there to help make whichever classroom you are assigned a vibrant, success oriented place. Now, get serious and get going. Best of luck.
With all this in mind, NOW is the time to redouble your effort. Get those applications filed or renewed. Make contact with schools where there might be an opening. Call your network of people and begin asking if they know of vacancies. Spend every single day between now and the opening of school combing the market. And most importantly; spend some time each day preparing for those potential interview questions!
We all know there are infinite varieties of great questions that can come at you in an interview. If you have been reading my book or following my articles, you also know that I consistently tell you to prepare, prepare, prepare. This article will give you three steps to prepare for your interview questions.
Take note of the usual interview question topics: Review my book and take note of the general areas almost every interview contains; lesson design, classroom management, state testing, parent relations, professionalism, and instructional skill. You can find typical examples of questions in each area and you need to have something prepared in advance.
Prepare an index card for each area: Place the question on the front of the card and YOUR answer on the back. Books may offer suggested answers and sound approaches to their questions, but it is important that you translate any sample offerings into your own words and your own background. Reciting a canned answer can never be delivered with the same conviction as something you believe or may have done.
Be certain your sample answer contains the essential ingredients to be memorable. If you plan to be "the better" candidate, then your answer needs to stand out from those of everyone else. To help do this, be sure to include a practical example or "story" about how the technique or ideas you express can or have been used in a real class. These examples should be as novel or innovative as you can make them. If you are experiencing difficulty in creating examples that have that quality, go to the internet and do some research (yes... I know that's extra work, but do you want the job or not?). To make your answer a home run, provide "evidence" that the example was successful. Quantitative or anecdotal evidence puts an exclamation point to your answer.
At the end, you should have a good dozen of these sample question cards. Keep reading them and rehearsing them until they are almost second nature. You will find that by having all these ideas clearly organized in your mind, you will enter that interview with confidence and authority. Your answers will be delivered in a crisp, professional manner. You will cast a positive, competent atmosphere throughout the entire room. The most important thing you can do in these late summer interviews is come in prepared and on fire. Know as much as you can about this school so you can demonstrate and speak to how you are the perfect fit to their organization. Let this school know you are there to help make whichever classroom you are assigned a vibrant, success oriented place. Now, get serious and get going. Best of luck.
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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