| When you apply for that dream teaching position, | | | | community members and teachers about the school. |
| chances are another candidate has submitted a stellar | | | | Complement the interviewer on accomplishments like a |
| application with an educational background, classroom | | | | recent grant or high test scores. Address how you |
| experience, and GPA similar to yours. The interview is | | | | can solve a problem the district faces like limited funds |
| your chance to stand out and make a lasting and | | | | or the need for an academic quiz bowl team adviser. |
| unforgettable impression that proves you are truly the | | | | Also, make sure you know the name of the |
| best candidate for the job. Follow these tips to make | | | | interviewer and how to pronounce it-a quick call to the |
| sure you confidently ace any teaching interview. | | | | school's secretary can clear up any uncertainties. |
| Be Prepared | | | | Listen |
| Practice sample interview questions. Common topics | | | | You may be a bundle of nerves during the interview, |
| employers will ask about are personal background, | | | | which can make concentrating difficult. However, it is |
| student teaching, classroom management, curriculum | | | | vital that you listen to the interviewer. Make sure your |
| planning, and hypothetical situations. While it is important | | | | answers clearly match the question asked. Look for |
| to practice an educationally sound response, make | | | | opportunities to build-off of what the interviewer is |
| sure your responses are genuine. Don't merely tell the | | | | saying. For example if the interviewer mentions the |
| interviewer what you think they want to hear. To | | | | district's desire to increase service learning |
| stand out, support each of your answers with specific | | | | opportunities, make sure to explain your personal |
| evidence that highlights what a great, dedicated | | | | interest and ideas. Also, look for opportunities to ask |
| educator you are. Prepare a teaching portfolio to help | | | | the interviewer questions. This will show you are |
| support your answers. Include documents like lesson | | | | confident and interested. It will also make the interview |
| plans, parent-teacher communications, and letters of | | | | feel like a comfortable conversation compared to a drill |
| recommendation. | | | | session. |
| Communication Skills | | | | Follow-up |
| In addition to having well-formed responses, you must | | | | Make sure to end the interview on a positive note. |
| be able to confidently and clearly articulate your | | | | Thank the interviewer for her time and express you |
| answers. Find someone who will be brutally honest | | | | keen interest in the position. You may also want to |
| with you to practice your communication skills with. | | | | politely ask when they tentatively plan on making a |
| Make sure your voice has an enthusiastic, confident | | | | decision. Immediately after the interview, write a |
| tone that relays your desire to be part of the school's | | | | thank-you letter to each interviewer present. Keep the |
| teaching staff. Use eye contact to further | | | | letter short and professional. Thank them for their time |
| communicate your excitement. Practice using good | | | | and express your enthusiasm about the position. If you |
| posture, a strong handshake, and appropriate body | | | | really bombed a question or think of something |
| language. Speak concisely and clearly-no mumbling! | | | | important you forgot to mention, you can include this |
| Teachers must communicate well with students and | | | | information in your letter. Also, you may share your |
| other professionals. Prove to the interviewer that | | | | impression of why you are the perfect fit for the |
| communication is one of your strong points. | | | | teaching position. Within in the next several days, make |
| Do Your Homework | | | | a follow-up phone call. Even if you do not receive the |
| Prior to the interview, research and find out as much | | | | job, thank the administrator for the interview |
| about the position and school as possible. When you | | | | opportunity and express your desire to work for the |
| put extra effort into preparing for an interview, it will | | | | district if another position opens. Who knows? You |
| show and the interviewer will know how serious you | | | | may have been number two on the list and a new |
| are about the position. Scour the school's website for | | | | position could open soon! |
| information that relates to your qualifications. Talk to | | | | |