The preparation for becoming a teacher is only the beginning of a long road towards obtaining a job teaching in a classroom. The teacher interview process can be a complicated process and preparing for a job interview is a vital part of teacher preparation.
How to Prepare for an Interview
Preparing for a teacher interview is about seventy percent mental and thirty percent physical. The mental aspect of interview preparation can make the difference between obtaining a job and remaining unemployed. Principals and other administrative staff are looking to hire a teaching candidate who is creative, confident and able to think quickly on his or her feet.
The physical aspect of interview preparation includes obtaining a professional interview outfit, generally one step above the expected dress code of the job in question. Additionally, a teacher candidate needs to have a professional resume, all required clearances and paperwork and a professional portfolio to illustrate teaching and lesson planning experience.
Tips for a Job Interview
It is important for a prospective teacher to show up about ten minutes prior to the interview. This shows punctuality and responsibility with time. Once again, appropriate professional dress is vital to making a good first impression. When greeted by the school administration who will be conducting the interview, the teacher candidate should show confidence and friendliness through a smile and handshake.
During the interview, the teacher candidate should maintain proper posture, eye contact and appropriate mental focus on the conversation. It is acceptable to pause before answering a question in order to think about an appropriate answer. Whenever it is applicable, the professional portfolio should be used to illustrate an answer.
When answering interview questions, it is important to stay on topic, keeping answers succinct and clear. That said, whenever possible, questions should be answered with a story. For example, when asked how the teacher would handle a specific disciplinary issue, the best answer would include a story of a similar situation. Stories are remembered more clearly and will allow the candidate to remain clearly in the memory of the interviewer.
Interviewing in a Slow Economy
Applying for a job when jobs are scarce is often a difficult prospect. It is important for prospective teachers to find a way to stand out from the crowd during a time when there are fewer and fewer teacher positions available. Creative use of the professional portfolio is one method to stand out from the crowd. This is the chance for the candidate to show what unique past experiences and creative tendencies make for a perfect fit for a particular school or classroom.
Being willing to be flexible with placement is also a helpful trait that make the applicant more tantalizing for a principal. When a special education or ESOL teacher is needed, the general education teacher who is willing to fill any position will have a better chance than the teacher prospect who wants to teach a specific grade.
When applying for a teaching position in a school district, it is important to be well prepared both mentally and physically. When interviewing for a job, it is important to be confident, creative and flexible. Finding a way to showcase unique qualities will also help in a slow economy when teaching positions become more scarce.
Additional Teacher Interview Preparation Information:
Interview Questions for Teachers - Common questions asked during a teacher interview and tips on answering appropriately.
Getting a Job as a Teacher - Find all the information necessary to obtain a teaching position including tips on teacher certification, building a professional portfolio and more.
Finding a Teaching Job - Interview tips including dress code, portfolio usage and common interview questions.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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