HOW TO HAVE A GREAT INTERVIEW

QUALITY ACT

Do Your Homework!

Prepare necessary documentsFind out about the schoolPrepare questions for the interviewer

Plan your dress Review common questions

Do Your Homework

Prepare the necessary documentsResume-Professional and concisewww.k12academics.com/resume_sampleswww.resume-resources.comwww.resumes-for-teachers.comQuality ACT Acceptance LetterTExES Scores (if passed)District ApplicationReferencesTranscriptsNotepad for taking notes

Do Your Homework

Find out about the schoolStrengths and weaknesses in achievementwww.tea.state.tx.usSchool or district websiteLocal newspapersDemographics Location of the campus

Do Your Homework

Prepare questions for the interviewerGeneral in nature-History of

campus, greatest challenges, etc.No questions on salary and benefitsMay ask clarification questions

Plan your dressDress professionallyCurrent fashions such as facial

jewelry, crop tops, etc. are not appropriate

Do Your Homework

Review common questionPersonality/Professionalism Ex.-Tell us about yourself? Why do you want to teach in this school? What are your greatest strengths?

Classroom Management.-How would you set up routines and procedures at the beginning of the year? Who should be responsible for discipline? How would you motivate students? Describe reasons you would contact parents. What are some consequences you would use for student misbehavior?

Do Your Homework

Curriculum/Instructional Techniques, cont.How can you use technology in your classes? Describe how you develop a lesson plan. What will you do if a student has difficulty learning a concept?

Relationships with Students/Colleagues/ParentsEx.-How would you help students be successful? What experiences have you had working with different cultures? How would you handle an angry parent? What kind of teachers do you like as colleagues?

Tips on Answering the Questions

Respond as if in a conversation, not an interrogation.

Stay on topic in your responses-don’t “birdwalk.”

Use personal stories to give examples of your skills. For instance, tell about a time when you functioned as part of a team, how you overcame a crisis, etc.

Review “educationese” and use the terms in your responses.

Tips on Answering the Questions

Practice responding to the sample questions.

Talk to an educator about your responses.Don’t take too long to answer a question.If you know nothing at all about the

question you are asked, ask for clarification and attempt to respond. However,

don’t try to fake an answer-it will be obvious.

It’s Showtime! The Day of the Interview

Eat breakfast or lunch;Be sure you have all needed documents;Get to the interview early but wait in the

car;Be cordial to everyone you meet-students,

other staff, secretary, custodian; Turn off your cell phone;Maintain good eye contact with the

interviewer;Stay focused and calm; andBe aware of your body language.

Panel Interviews

Prepare as you would for a one-on-one interview.

Make eye contact and shake hands as you are introduced to each panel member.

Call each panel member by name as you respond to a question.

Cross reference a questions to another’s panel member’s question when appropriate.

Ask for a business card from each interviewer.Thank each member of the panel at the

conclusion of the interview.

It’s Showtime! The Day of the Interview

Interviewing Don’ts!!Don’t arrive late.Don’t ask about salary, time off, etc.Don’t make negative comments

about former employers.Don’t give the impression that the location of the school is important.Don’t be unprepared.Don’t talk too much.Don’t allow distractions.

After the Interview

Ask about the next steps in the hiring process.

After leaving, make notes about the interview.

Immediately write thank-you notes to all interviewers and personalize them.

Make a follow-up call in 1-2 weeks; ask if the position has been filled and, if not, ask if you are still under consideration.

Make no further contact.

After the Interview

RELAX!!!!!You have done a great job on your interview and the

phone will be ringing soon!

Great Websites

www.teachersnetwork.org/ntol/www.learnnc.org/support/newteachwww.teachersfirst.com/newbie.cfmwww.hannahmeans.bizland.comwww.teacher.scholastic.com/newteacher