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How to Excel in a Discussion-Based Education Interview

how to excel in a discussion-based education interview

Do you know the advantages of a discussion-based education interview? Instead of submitting to the question and answer process, when you attend your next teaching interview, approach it as an opportunity to learn.

Ask questions; listen carefully; then look for opportunities to relate what you’ve learned about the school, the district, latest education trends, or a challenge the school is facing to your knowledge and experiences – phrased in the form of solutions.

There are common stages to any teacher job interview. Introducing yourself, discussing relevant background, answering tough interview questions, and asking intelligent questions.

The discussion-based interview seems more casual and collaborative.

Let’s read more about it.

Advantages of a Discussion-based Education Interview

The discussion-based education interview takes the form or structure of a free-flowing discussion among professionals with shared challenges and experiences. It will become natural to relate your success stories in a relevant way to the school’s challenges rather than to recite “accomplishment statements” that you’ve memorized for the interview.

Look at your resume for success stories. If your resume is written correctly, it should include your relevant accomplishments using action words, verbs, and catchphrases to captivate your audience.

Consider the following advantages of participating in a collaborative conversation, meaning a discussed-based education interview:

Peer-to-peer Conversation Instead of Power figure to Subordinate Interrogation

By sharing problems and possible solutions, you will form a bond with the interviewers and establish yourself as a credible educator who can provide valuable expertise, advice, and assistance.

Rather than thinking, “this person seemed to have some good experience,” the interviewer is more likely to think, “This person knows what we’re facing and can help us.” Let them know you can offer solutions by sharing what you have done for other schools.

Tailoring your responses to interview questions to meet the school district’s needs is critical to be shortlisted for a second interview or as a new teacher at their school.

Increased Comfort and Confidence to Project a Professional Presence

Think about how you feel and perform in grade team meetings, professional development presentations, projects, and other collaborative discussions. You might find yourself a bit keyed up for a major presentation, but in all likelihood, you go into this situation feeling confident and professional.

Now imagine feeling this same way in an interview, rather than nervous and anxious. Your inner confidence has a huge impression on how you come across, so why not establish the appropriate professional persona from the very beginning?

Greater Emphasis on What Matters – Students and the School Community

In many interviews, time is spent on questions that often don’t reveal information of value; time is used to discuss where you see yourself in five years or in listing your strengths. What motivates the hiring representative(s) to make a job offer is confidence that you will make a difference and increase student learning. So why not get to these important issues as soon as possible?

You might not be successful at converting all of your meetings to a discussion-based education interview. Some interviewers will be bound and determined to ask their questions and not be open to engaging in a deeper dialogue.

When you can have a discussion-based interview, you’ll enjoy a more meaningful conversation to build credibility. This type of interview will help you gather information to make the right decisions about your education career.

The result should be a new position that is a great fit for your experience and talents – a genuine win-win for you and the school.

Asking the interview panel questions is always recommended, even if you are not in a discussion-based interview.