How to Answer Interview Questions: The Number One Job Interview Tip

There are a few steps you need to follow if you wantAgain, it does not matter what profession you are
to secure a job. First, you need to land the interview.interviewing for, but since my experience is mostly with
Second, you need to “nail” the interview. And, third,teachers I will give an example from that profession…
you absolutely must follow-up on the interview. ThisA common interview question for teachers is, "How do
article will focus on the second part of getting ayou feel about team teaching?"
job…the interview itself…and the number one jobThere are three steps to answering this interview
interview secret...question, yet most candidates only follow the first two.
There are a few steps you need to follow if you wantStep One: Tell them you love the idea of team
to secure a job. First, you need to land the interview.teaching. (This is to some extent a rhetorical question
Second, you need to "nail" the interview. And, third, youas there is only one correct response in this case…no
absolutely must follow-up on the interview. This articleone is going to hire a teacher who is against team
will focus on the second part of getting a job…theteaching.)
interview itself…Step Two: Give the theory behind why team teaching
There are many things you are going to need to do inis worthwhile for both the teacher and student.
order to nail the job interview such as making a greatStep Three: Give a specific example from an actual
first impression, paying attention to body language,lesson or unit in which you were involved in team
maintaining eye contact etc., but none of these areteaching. This is the step that most people interviewing
more important than how to answer the interviewfail to do.
questions.Step Four: (Yes, I know I said three steps, but this is
In order to really excel during the interview you mustthe bonus step…the icing on the cake.) Show
be able to answer the interview question in a mannerexamples of student work from that specific lesson
that portrays confidence, diligence, and experience.unit.
The best way to do this is become as familiar as youAgain, this works for any profession…just change the
can with the most common interview questions in yourexamples. Let's say you are applying for a real estate
field. I suggest simply doing a Google search forposition and are asked about working as a
interview questions for [insert job title here].team…say, "yes you love it"…followed by why you
However, while knowing the interview questions willthinking teaming is so important, followed by how you
help, knowing how to answer the interview questionshave teamed in the past AND an example of what
will put you way ahead of your competition.that produced.
As someone who as interviewed countless people forObviously this is easier if you are experienced in your
teaching positions I am always shocked at how manyfield, but even if you are not, you must have some
potentially great teachers fall short when it comes totype of training that prepared you for the job…use
interviewing and the big reason is because theirexamples from that training and explain what you plan
answers are all too often based on theory…theirto do if given the chance.
answers to the interview questions just seem tooI guarantee that answering interview questions in this
general and too vague.manner will put you light years ahead of the
The biggest job interview tip I could ever give anyonecompetition. However, you can only do this if you
in any field is to answer each interview question withresearch the most common interview questions and
specific examples.practice how to answer the interview questions.