week 4b: interview skills for new teachers - 2014

Week #4: The End is Only the Beginning –

Let the Job Hunt Begin

Interviewers Want to Know...

…how well you meet the requirements of the

teaching profession (KSAs). ...how interested you are in teaching. ...how well you will “fit” within the school culture. ...what the advantages are of hiring you over

someone else. …how ready you are to teach

Interviewees Want to Know...

…how well the position and school board

suit my needs and goals. …what the employer has to offer me. …what the advantages are of working for

this school board as opposed to others. …if my training has prepared me to teach in

this school division

Success in an interview depends upon…

…your knowledge about yourself, especially your skills and interests related to teaching (study your portfolio)

…your knowledge of the position and school board.

…your understanding of why you are suited to the teaching position.

…your interview skills.

Some Skills Required for Teaching

Communication Conflict resolution Evaluation Group facilitation Interpersonal Motivation Organization

Patience and understanding

Problem solving Program planning Public speaking Record keeping Supervision

Preparing for the Interview

Start with a self-assessment Learn as much as you can about the position

responsibilities skills and qualifications required

Learn as much as you can about the school/school board

Reflect on what you know about yourself as a teacher and a learner

Researching School Boards

Find out: The size and location of the school district. The mission/vision statement, goals and

objectives of the school board. Unique features of the school district and the

specific schools within the district. Regulations and policies within the district.

Any major challenges/issues the school district

currently may face. Other information?

Create a Wordle from their website

More Interview Preparation Tips

Compare what you know about yourself with what you know about the position and organization

Prepare some questions to ask Practice, practice, practice Find out as much as you can about the interviewers

and interview process Review the application you submitted for the position

and your teaching portfolio

Still More Interview Preparation Tips Get your “interview kit” ready

Teaching Portfolio Pad of paper and a pen/pencil Name and phone number of the interviewer

in case you’re delayed List of questions to ask the interviewer Copy of your application documents List of references and copies of reference

letters to give at the interview.

Get a good night’s sleep and eat something about an hour before the interview

Stages of the Interview

Stage 1 Opening the Interview

Stage 2 Exchange of Information

Stage 3 Closing the Interview

Stage 1:

Opening the Interview Introductions

Establishing rapport

Setting the agenda

Making a Favourable First Impression

Dress appropriately. Look clean and well groomed. Be punctual. Greet the interviewer(s) with enthusiasm. Smile and be friendly to everyone. Make eye contact. Don’t be afraid to make small talk.

Dress for Success: What not to wear? What to wear for men ? And women?

Stage 2:

Exchange of Information Be prepared to ask questions as

well as provide answers to the interviewers’ questions

Sit comfortably Be aware of non-verbal

communication What does your body language and voice

tell the interviewer? What does the interviewers’ body

language tell you?

Some Sure Signs the Interviewer’s Attention is Wandering

shuffling papers finger tapping hands playing with

things eyes down or glazed

over looking at watch/clock scratching head lying back in chair

sighinglegs repeatedly changing

positionpicking lint off clothespicking lint off your

clothes (do something quick!!)

(Source: The Student Guide to Job Hunting by Francois Cote)

Interview Questions

Structured format questions are pre-determined all applicants are asked the same

questions questions tend to be specific

Unstructured format each applicant may be asked different

questions depending on the direction of the interview which is not pre-determined

questions tend to be broad, general

Directive Interview Question

The interviewer determines the focus of your answer.

“What principles do you use to motivate students?”

“What additional subjects, apart from your area of specialization, would you feel confident to teach and at what level?”

Non-Directive Interview Question

You determine the focus of your answer.

“Tell me about yourself.”

Hypothetical Interview Question

The interviewer describes a situation and asks how you WOULD react if in a similar situation.

“Suppose you are meeting with a parent who is very upset about his/her son’s marks. How would you handle this situation?”

“What would you do if you found that your ideas and those of your principal differed?

Behaviour Descriptive Interview (BDI) Question The interviewer asks what you DID do in a

specific type of situation.

“Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a student with behavioral problems. How did you help to resolve it? What did you learn?”

Stress Interview Question The interviewer intentionally introduces stress

into the interview to see how well you react under pressure.

“If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?”

Answering Interview Questions

Think first, answer second Ask for clarification if necessary Focus on your skills and

achievements Provide specific examples. Draw on work and non-work related

experiences Turn negatives into positives Demonstrate good communication

skills

Stage 3

Closing the Interview

Ask questions you have prepared that were not answered during the course of the interview

Summarize your most relevant skills and qualities

Find out what happens next Thank the interviewer(s)

Leaving a Positive Lasting Impression

If invited to ask questions, do so but refrain from asking questions that have already been answered that could be answered with a little

research about salary and benefits

Summarize your relevant skills and qualities (e.g. visual summary sheet)

Remain upbeat from beginning to end Drop off a thank you card or note the

day after the interview

If two applicants were equal in education and experience, what traits would influence you to hire one over the other?

44% Ability to get along with others

42% Communication Skills

29% Confidence

28% Motivation/Ambition

18% Leadership Ability

15% Enthusiasm

11% Maturity

10% Learning Ability

25

Negative Factors Leading to Rejection

Poor personal appearance Overbearing, overaggressive, conceited Inability to express oneself clearly Lack of planning/vision for career Lack of interest and enthusiasm, passive Lack of confident and poise,

nervousness Failure to participate in activities Overemphasis on money Poor scholastic record Unwilling to start at the bottom Makes excuses Lack of tact Lack of maturity Lack of courtesy, poor manners Condemnation of past employers Dislike for school work Fails to look interviewer in the eye

Limp, fishy hand-shake Indecision Unhappy personal life Friction with other people Sloppy application form Cover letter/resume with errors Merely shopping around attitude Picky – wants job only for a short time Little sense of humor Long winded Impatient, doesn’t want as directed Arrives late or “just on time” Bad breath (e.g. smokers beware) Multiple piercings, tatoos etc. etc.

Mock Interviews