 Interviewing Tips for Educators
You have invested a great deal of time and effort preparing to teach. Even the best qualifications, however, will do you little good if you cannot market yourself convincingly to a prospective employer, and each interview is an important encounter in this process.
How do you stand out in an interview?
- BE PREPARED - practice interviewing ahead of time
- Answer the question asked, and answer it fully, but concisely, without rambling
- Be able to tell the interviewer why you decided to become a teacher and your philosophy of education
- Identify what makes you unique from other applicants
- Show enthusiasm, respect, and willingness to listen
- Speak clearly and distinctly
- Keep the tone of the interview positive at all times
- Maintain good eye contact during the entire session
- Have some good questions to ask the interviewer
- SMILE!
First Impressions
- Your clothing: Dress as you would for an important day at school. Wear clothes that look good and are comfortable so you can forget your appearance and concentrate on the interview.
- You hair: Make sure that your hairstyle is appropriate for the professional arena - not on your college campus.
- Your shoes: Your shoes should be clean and polished.
- Your fragrance: In general, avoid using cologne or perfume. Many people are allergic to scents, or find them irritating.
- Your accessories: Avoid anything that jangles, dazzles, or attracts more attention than yourself.
- You glasses: Eye contact is important during an interview, so make sure your glasses are clean.
- Your pen: Buy a fresh pen for interviewing.
- Your portfolio: You need to manage your portfolio and other items that you may carry in such a way that they are assets, not detractors.
Frequent Interview Topics
- Classroom management
- Student teaching
- Strengths/Weaknesses
- Teaching philosophy
- Future plans
- Teaching style
- Motivational theories
- Employment history
- Lesson planning/design
 25 Possible Interview Questions
The best way to prepare for your interviews is to PRACTICE! Participating in mock interviews is a good way to prepare for real ones. You can practice with a friend or with a career counselor. The old saying, "Practice makes perfect," truly applies. Use these questions during your practice sessions. Call the Career Development Center for more information regarding mock interviews.
- Why do you want to teach?
- What is the greatest attribute you can bring to a class of students?
- Describe your student teaching experiences.
- How should a student's educational achievement and progress be measured?
- What do you expect from your supervisor?
- How and when do you discipline a student?
- Describe an ideal classroom.
- How do you individualize your teaching?
- Let's pretend it's the first day of school and you are a first grade teacher. How would you prepare your classroom?
- How would you motivate parents to be involved in the classroom and in their child's education?
- Describe your philosophy of education.
- How would you set up an after-school program?
- Some of your students always finish their assignments early. How would you deal with the free time that they have?
- Are parent/teacher conferences important? Why or why not?
- Why do you want to work in our district?
- How would you work with students who perform below grade level, especially those from disadvantaged scoio-economic backgrounds?
- What are your weaknesses?
How would you handle a discipline problem?
- What would you do if a kid spilled red paint all over your new skirt/suit?
- What grade level do you prefer? Why?
- What are the qualities of an excellent teacher? Which of these qualities do you have?
- What was your biggest problem in student teaching? How did you resolve it?
- What do you plan to be doing in five years?
- What are your career goals?
- Would you like to be involved in school (community) activities?
- What do you know about our school district?
Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
- What is the teacher/student ratio in your district?
- Do you encourage teachers to earn advanced degrees?
- How many classes a day will I be expected to teach?
- Do you have teachers serving in areas for which they do not have full certification?
- Tell me about the students who attend this school.
- What textbooks does the district use in this subject area?
- Do teachers participate in curriculum review and change?
- What support for staff members are available to help students and teachers?
- How does the teaching staff feel about new teachers?
- What discipline procedures does the district use?
- Do parents support the schools? Does the community?
- Does your school use teacher aides or teacher volunteers?
- What allowances are provided for supplies & materials?
- Does the administration encourage field trips for students?
- What is it you're seeking in a new teacher?
- Does the district have a statement of educational philosophy or mission?
- What are prospects for future growth in this community and its schools?
- What support does the school/district give new teachers?
- What are the next steps in the selection process?
- When can I expect to hear from you?
Questions NOT to Ask Your Interviewer
- Do NOT inquire about pay, salary, or payscale during your interview.
- Do NOT inquire about fringe benefits (e.g. healthcare) during your interview.
After the Interview
- Proper follow-up is extremely important. You have an opportunity to reinforce your interest in the position, and to express your thanks for the interview. Here are some suggestions for what to do following your big interview:
- Write a thank you letter - Only a small number of candidates send thank-you letters to their interviewers. Try to mail your thank-you letter the same day as your interview.
- Keep a job-search journal - Take consistent notes about your progress on each job opening. After each interview, summarize in your journal what transpired, who you met, and any other thoughts for future reference.
- Relax! - The interview is over! Don't be surprised if you do not hear from the district following your interview for a while. You must take the responsibility for your own job search; if you do not hear from a district within two to three weeks, pick up the telephone and call to inquire about your status.
- Don't burn your bridges - If you do not get an offer now, courtesy and professionalism may keep the door open for a future opportunity.
Fascinating Facts for First Time Teachers
In 2000, the American Association for Employment in Education conducted a survey to learn more about the hiring procedures used when employing first-time teachers. Each query has responses listed according to frequency, from most frequent to least frequent. The survey was conducted in Montana, and was published in the 2006 AAEE Job Search Handbook for educators. Here are the results:
1. Employers evaluate first-time teachers’ job applications for:
a. Letters of recommendation from public school personnel;
b. A mentoring teacher’s evaluation;
c. Examples of teaching skill and classroom management skill;
d. Experience with specific programs used in the school district;
e. Number of certifications which the candidate holds (e.g., elementary and special education).
2. Employers evaluate first-time teachers’ academic preparation for:
a. Knowledge of subject matter;
b. Success in student teaching;
c. Computer knowledge and skill.
3. Important factors about candidates’ work experience in paid employment not related to teaching include:
a. A positive work ethic;
b. Punctuality
c. Good quality work
d. Low absenteeism
4. The following factors influence the decision to invite an applicant for an interview:
a. Correct spelling, punctuation, and English usage of the candidates application;
b. Letters of recommendation from those who have seen the candidate work with students;
c. Neatness of the applicant’s materials;
d. Evaluation from the mentoring teacher.
5. Employers use interview questions to assess the ways in which first-time teachers respond to:
a. "Real life" and "What if" situations;
b. Classroom management issues;
c. Enthusiasm about teaching;
d. Demonstrating and evaluating their own strengths;
e. Structured questions that range from impersonal to personal.
6. In evaluating interviews, employers look for the following:
a. The candidate’s commitment to teaching;
b. Knowledge of the teaching field;
c. Interpersonal skills;
d. The candidate’s understanding of the role of a teacher;
e. Professional judgment.
7. Individuals who participate actively in interviews and selection of new teachers are:
a. The superintendent;
b. The principal or program director;
c. Teachers, department heads, or curriculum directors
8. Professional traits which employers use as criteria in hiring first-time teachers include:
a. Interpersonal skills (enthusiasm, likes working with students, caring, outgoing);
b. The ability to motivate students;
c. The ability to provide a positive emotional climate in the classroom;
d. Professional integrity.
9. Personal traits which employers use as criteria in hiring first-time teachers include:
a. Enthusiasm;
b. Dependability;
c. The ability to work well with others;
d. Emotional maturity;
e. Self-motivation.
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