Your first interview for a teaching job or your hundredth? It doesn’t matter so much. Everyone is somewhat nervous for these situations, even the interviewers to an extent. The stakes are high all around; how do we get the right teachers in front of the right students?
There are some thing to consider before the interview.
Expect the person conducting the interview to be the gatekeeper and the Human Resources department to be the vetting department. You need to be recommended by the educator/administrator interviewing you for HR to check up on you. Sometimes teams of interviewers are used, so do not overly bend yourself to the interviewer in front of you. Be yourself and they or HR will identify which school fits your skills. Be aware the notes taken by this interviewer will likely be notes that anyone in their district looks at before calling you back. Let’s get you through this interview, sharing who you are as an educator, so you can get into a classroom of your own!
How sure are you about your resume? Consider purchasing Confessions of a Teacher Recruiter: Templates, Samples, and Formatting Guide. This inexpensive, quick read could be the confidence boost you are looking for going into your interview.
Here are some questions/answers to consider and the three things you can add to the interview to ace it:
Why did you go into education?
Speak about your personal journey to this decision to teach candidly.
Consider including your experiences working with children. Speak to your desire to be part of a community of teachers and learners.
Describe your Classroom Management philosophy.
What are your classroom routines?
Concentrate on the positive aspects of classroom management and routines, but be ready to answer questions about consequences for undesirable behavior. Highlight how your organization and structure of rituals and routines minimize off-task behaviors.
As part of your vision of teaching and learning in your classroom highlight how each student is producing at the right level of effort/reward (mention differentiation) and how they are engaged by your classroom structures.
What structures and strategies do you use to teach (any subject)? Elementary teachers the biggest two are Reading and Math.
Highlight research-based strategies you have used successfully and are interested in trying. Discuss discrete, subject-specific skills which students need to demonstrate to be considered on grade-level; highlight any experience (teaching or tutoring) you have had on bringing students up to that standard. How do you flexibly group learners in your classroom? Include how you plan backward from assessments which measure the standards and what that looks like in your collaborative planning meetings and ultimately in your classroom/planbook.
How does Technology factor into your instruction?
Here is an opportunity to educate the one interviewing you, feel free to talk about Technology Integration, but contrast it to Blended Learning. You may want to talk about the pinnacle use of technology for students should be creating content over just consuming content. Your interviewer is likely looking for your experience with Learning Management Systems, like Google Classroom/Canvas/Schoology. Do your homework on which one they use before you interview and study that LMS for things you could do the first day, week, month of teaching for them.
What can you bring to the interview to make that best impression?
Passion
You cannot fake passion, at least not well.
Identify what you really are passionate about in education early and often in your interview. This means some preparation in advance of the interview. And it is not worth trying to tailor to the audience either. Really find what you care deeply about for your students and speak to that; passion shows nicely through nervousness and in spite of any credentials.
Distinction
No, you may not much experience in the job you are applying for, but are you certified in anything? Many educational softwares offer educator certification. This can be an easy differentiator for you. Consider your interviewer, someone who may want more technology integration or Blended Learning in their school, but not sure how to implement it. When sharing you certifications, make sure you make the connection on how you would use that product in the classroom, and how it benefits students in learning.
Experience
If this is the first teaching job you are trying to get, you likely don’t have what is considered traditional teaching experience. But think about historically how you have coped with entering new situations and acclimating to overcome your experience gap. Talk about that and how you estimate you can do the same in a new teaching position. This is also a great opportunity to ask intelligent questions about how the district/school/that Principal supports new hires.
Your social media history doesn’t have to just be something which can lose you the job. Have you established a PLN on Twitter? Social Media is as much about who you follow as what you post remember! Have your participated in any Educational Twitter Chats?
Do you have a blog or blog posts to point to as evidence of the thought you have given your educational approach?
If none of this comes up in your interview – because sometimes it does not – this would be an awesome opportunity for you to bring it up if you have a positive social media presence which showcases your interest in education!
What other interview tips would you share?
Best of luck!
April 28, 2018 at 5:32 pm
I know couple of people who never became teachers because they just couldn’t do a good interview. Some people just really freeze up so any tips could be helpful.
candy recently posted…Texas Hash
April 28, 2018 at 7:20 pm
These are great tips for interviewing for a teaching position but could apply to many types of interviews. I think displaying passion and knowledge of modern technology are very important when interviewing.
Melissa Chapman recently posted…Sibling Preparation- Helping to welcome your new bundle of joy
April 29, 2018 at 10:47 am
Great important tips to remember not only for a teachers job but for any interview. I know for my girlfriend who became a teacher she said she was so nervous she just knew she wasn’t getting the job. Well she did and she is a great teacher to this day! Her passion for children out weighed her fear!
April 29, 2018 at 10:49 am
I think that is typical with teacher candidates Lisa. If you prepare by identifying and practicing talking about what you love about teaching that can shine through in an interview! Thanks for the inspiration!
April 29, 2018 at 6:18 pm
I always say to just be yourself when in an interview. But these are some wonderful tips for any prospective teacher looking for a new position.
April 29, 2018 at 6:43 pm
I am a teacher and some of the things I did during my interview was to talk about some of my favorite activities I did with my classes Practicing interviewing with a friend is also a great way to prepare yourself.
sara recently posted…Mother’s Day Gift Guide
April 29, 2018 at 10:41 pm
This is all such great information! I remember how nervous my husband was before he went on his teaching interviews!
April 30, 2018 at 7:55 am
These are great tips to share with anyone going for a teacher interview. I haven’t been to an interview in a long time and it is always good to be prepared.
April 30, 2018 at 1:38 pm
This is great advice for teachers who are looking for their first job or switching schools. Being prepared for an interview is so important in any field. Being specific to your field can only further your chances.
May 1, 2018 at 3:54 am
How you perform in an interview is so important. One may be really good but unless this shows in the interview things will not work out. These are some really good tips.
May 1, 2018 at 3:59 am
Whenever doing a teacher interview (or any interview for that matter), it is always important to be yourself and to answer with your heart. The interviewer would see right into you.
May 1, 2018 at 7:21 am
This is great information that I wish I had when going on an interview to be a Religious Ed teacher. The entire experience was nerve-wracking for me but it ended up being rewarding in the end. I struggle with interviews but thrive in the position once I get it so I could use some tips for sure!
May 1, 2018 at 7:58 am
Great info! Of course I’m not a teacher or trying to be one but I never even thought about the interview!
May 1, 2018 at 9:02 am
I am not a teacher, but a lot of your advise can be used for any kind of professional interview. These are great tips. I have been on several interviews recently, which were hard for me because I have been at my current job for over 12 years.
May 1, 2018 at 9:32 am
I know of a few people who are studying to be teachers. I am going to share this really great information to them!
May 1, 2018 at 9:41 am
This says a lot about interviewing for anything really. I worked in a transitional housing unit one time and had to do some interviewing. You are so correct on passion. You can’t fake passion no matter how hard you try. I also remember asking about peoples goals and a lot of times people could not answer that one clearly.
May 1, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Thanks Shelley, articulating personal/career goals should be something we can all share in an interview!
May 1, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Interviews are difficult for any industry but for teaching, it’s a whole different ballgame. I think everyone could benefit from learning skills like this for their chosen industry and your tips are very helpful.
Joely Smith recently posted…Happiness Is: Kansas Nature Sights And Sounds
May 1, 2018 at 1:00 pm
What a great, informative post. I love that you really explain how to answer questions. Making sure you are honest about your journey to wanting to become a teacher.
May 1, 2018 at 2:20 pm
I have not been in a job interview for YEARS. It is such an overwhelming experience. I dread the time I have to do it again. This are some great tips.
censie recently posted…Date Night To See – The Who’s Tommy
May 1, 2018 at 7:12 pm
While the template might apply to teaching I actually think the advice you gave about thinking of real life situations and the skills you would learn would actually apply to any job interview. Acing a job interview can be difficult. At the same time it’s all about the having the confidence.
May 2, 2018 at 12:13 pm
My career path is either a teacher or a nurse! Thank you so much for these tips for if I do decide to go the teacher route. This not only seems good for teachers but honestly any job interview, these are greats tips and anyone looking for a job interview should read it.
May 12, 2018 at 8:23 am
Great tips! I’m not a teacher but I can see why the pressure on acing the interview. I’ll be sharing with some friends who are on their way to become teachers. Thank you for sharing.
May 12, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Wonderful and insightful techniques. This can be such a hard thing to do without planning. Love the information!! Very helpful
May 12, 2018 at 9:03 pm
I’m not a teacher but these are great tips that I’m sure so many people can use.
May 13, 2018 at 9:47 am
These are some great tips!! Definitely passing it on to my future teacher friends☺️❤️
Here’s a link to my interview tips as well:
https://theroarintwentysomethin.com/uncategorized/how-to-crush-your-next-interview/
May 13, 2018 at 10:12 am
Thanks Jasmine!
Anyone me interviewing can use all the tips out there!
May 13, 2018 at 2:15 pm
I’ve threw around the idea of teaching a few times. If I ever make the plunge I now know some great tips. I especially like the aversion to experience. That seems like it could be a useful technique in any type of interview. Thank you!
May 19, 2018 at 8:56 am
I have 2 friend that are getting ready for their teaching interviews at new schools and I am sending this to them! I think I can use some of this in my non-teacher life too though!