Some years ago when I was preparing to interview for a position in the business sector, I went to a seminar called, Interview Tactics. It was a one day seminar and I recall that it cost me almost one-week's tip money to attend! It was the best money I ever spent. At the time, I had never been on a real job interview, although I had been through several "practice or mock" interviews. To be honest, I had no clue of how to conduct myself in an actual interview, and I was beyond nervous. In fact, I had actually debated with myself as to whether I would even attend the scheduled interview. The person to whom I had spoken sounded very intimidating. He told me I had to do well on the screening interview in order to have any chance of going on to the Director's interview. So, this seminar would either give me the greater confidence I desperately needed, or I would just rethink how much I really wanted that job.
I doubt this seminar is even still in existence, but let me share two central tactics I learned that day. I have used them ever since, and they always paid big dividends. The reason these ideas are so powerful is that each one supplies a way to make you stand out from the other good teachers who will be interviewing. Any position worth its salt will have at least a few applicants likely to do well. Because second place at your interview pays no money, you need strategies to make you stand out from the group. Here are two that will help achieve that goal.
1. Look and act like the professional this school wants. This sounds almost too self-evident to even mention, yet I cannot tell you how many candidates have totally failed on just this point. Every school wants a teacher who cuts a great image. It has been said that you cannot win the interview in the first 30 seconds, but you can certainly lose it. You are being judged as to your suitability from the first moment you enter the room, so go make a great first impression. For you, that means dress in a sharp, conservative manner. I realize there are many areas of the country where more casual attire is "acceptable." Do not fall into that trap. For men, you need at least a nice sport jacket, clean, fresh shirt, pressed slacks, and polished shoes. All of these items will be on view for the entire interview and they count! For ladies, a conservative business suit or outfit is a good bet. You need not restrict yourself to drab colors, but take care not to be too flamboyant. In terms of your professional actions, give a good firm handshake, maintain eye contact, use peoples' names, and take care with your body language. If you are at a table, having your hands on the table in front of you is a good base position. Smile, use your sense of emotional balance and humor; and deliver answers with enthusiasm! All of this will promote an excellent professional image, and you will keep yourself right at the top of the committee's list as someone likely to fit their culture.
2. Use anecdotal examples and quantitative information. At my tactics seminar, the presenter made a great statement. "Hiring managers are not simply interested in background and activity, they want proven results!" This is an area where so very many candidates miss their opportunity. They will describe a great idea or strategy, but they will not talk about how it was ever implemented or "its proven results." You will separate yourself from everyone else if you just follow two simple steps. First: have several anecdotal stories ready to tell where you may have implemented the classroom ideas you plan to use in your interview. Don't be afraid to add some spice and supportive detail to your story. Make it as interesting as you can. Second: Be ready to catalog the successful results or outcomes your practice produced. For example, if you used an innovative strategy with regard to the self-editing of written work, you can trumpet how 100% or your students reached a proficient or highly proficient cluster score on that portion of the state test. By adding quantitative indicators, you will be ahead of other candidates who simply described a practice. I might add, anything you can say that relates to quantitative success on the all-important state test is a big-time benefit. Use this tactic and step in front of the competition.
I will end by telling you that winning tactics work best when accompanied by winning preparation. You need to plan your interview outfit, and practice your interview body language. I know this step sounds like overkill, but I assure you it is not. Use a friend, or a parent, or a spouse. (Yes, spouses are good for this. Why should they not share in the torture?) Practice handling your introductions, your seating, and your delivery of a few sample answers. Let someone look over your interview attire and give you feedback. Just the mere walk-through will make you more confident when the big day arrives. Also, plan out your stories and identify precisely what kinds of quantitative results best underscore their success. Understand, if you try to do this while sitting at the interview, you are already in trouble. Have these thoughts ready to go, and have them rehearsed. You will be amazed at how much power you can add to your answers with just a little advance planning and practice. Now, use these tactics and WIN that position!
PS.....I did NOT get that job. BUT, I did at least get to the next round of interviews.
I doubt this seminar is even still in existence, but let me share two central tactics I learned that day. I have used them ever since, and they always paid big dividends. The reason these ideas are so powerful is that each one supplies a way to make you stand out from the other good teachers who will be interviewing. Any position worth its salt will have at least a few applicants likely to do well. Because second place at your interview pays no money, you need strategies to make you stand out from the group. Here are two that will help achieve that goal.
1. Look and act like the professional this school wants. This sounds almost too self-evident to even mention, yet I cannot tell you how many candidates have totally failed on just this point. Every school wants a teacher who cuts a great image. It has been said that you cannot win the interview in the first 30 seconds, but you can certainly lose it. You are being judged as to your suitability from the first moment you enter the room, so go make a great first impression. For you, that means dress in a sharp, conservative manner. I realize there are many areas of the country where more casual attire is "acceptable." Do not fall into that trap. For men, you need at least a nice sport jacket, clean, fresh shirt, pressed slacks, and polished shoes. All of these items will be on view for the entire interview and they count! For ladies, a conservative business suit or outfit is a good bet. You need not restrict yourself to drab colors, but take care not to be too flamboyant. In terms of your professional actions, give a good firm handshake, maintain eye contact, use peoples' names, and take care with your body language. If you are at a table, having your hands on the table in front of you is a good base position. Smile, use your sense of emotional balance and humor; and deliver answers with enthusiasm! All of this will promote an excellent professional image, and you will keep yourself right at the top of the committee's list as someone likely to fit their culture.
2. Use anecdotal examples and quantitative information. At my tactics seminar, the presenter made a great statement. "Hiring managers are not simply interested in background and activity, they want proven results!" This is an area where so very many candidates miss their opportunity. They will describe a great idea or strategy, but they will not talk about how it was ever implemented or "its proven results." You will separate yourself from everyone else if you just follow two simple steps. First: have several anecdotal stories ready to tell where you may have implemented the classroom ideas you plan to use in your interview. Don't be afraid to add some spice and supportive detail to your story. Make it as interesting as you can. Second: Be ready to catalog the successful results or outcomes your practice produced. For example, if you used an innovative strategy with regard to the self-editing of written work, you can trumpet how 100% or your students reached a proficient or highly proficient cluster score on that portion of the state test. By adding quantitative indicators, you will be ahead of other candidates who simply described a practice. I might add, anything you can say that relates to quantitative success on the all-important state test is a big-time benefit. Use this tactic and step in front of the competition.
I will end by telling you that winning tactics work best when accompanied by winning preparation. You need to plan your interview outfit, and practice your interview body language. I know this step sounds like overkill, but I assure you it is not. Use a friend, or a parent, or a spouse. (Yes, spouses are good for this. Why should they not share in the torture?) Practice handling your introductions, your seating, and your delivery of a few sample answers. Let someone look over your interview attire and give you feedback. Just the mere walk-through will make you more confident when the big day arrives. Also, plan out your stories and identify precisely what kinds of quantitative results best underscore their success. Understand, if you try to do this while sitting at the interview, you are already in trouble. Have these thoughts ready to go, and have them rehearsed. You will be amazed at how much power you can add to your answers with just a little advance planning and practice. Now, use these tactics and WIN that position!
PS.....I did NOT get that job. BUT, I did at least get to the next round of interviews.
My name is Robert W. Pollock. I am an educator, with over 34 years experience, a speaker, a consultant, and the 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 numerous 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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