Reaching the interview stage is a crucial part of the job search process. Nail down the meeting by competently ending the conversation as you started it – solid and impressive.
Ten Techniques to Close a Teacher Job Interview
There are several steps a job seeker must take to achieve a teaching position: getting chosen for an interview is step number one. Being selected for an interview shows that a school is interested in you and that you may have some quality or skill they are looking for in a teacher. They will then require you to come in person to clarify or buttress some critical points regarding your resume and the teaching position.
When you reach the interview, you are very close to securing the job; don’t forget other candidates will be shortlisted. So, it now boils down to how you can effectively prove that you are better qualified than the others, and you have to do this in a brief period. Starting the interview positively is important, but closing it on an electrifying note is even more critical.
1. Emphasize the Reason Why You Are Applying.
Make it clear why you are applying for the job and customize your responses to fit the school and its goals. Why are you the best candidate for this school, its unique student population, specific mission, and local community? Why you? Why here? Why now?
2. Make Relevant Claims.
State how you can help the school fulfill its mission and vision with your ideas and how your agenda can fit theirs. You can only do this if you have researched and studied the institution’s creeds and ethos beforehand. Your goal is to ensure that this opportunity is the next logical step in your story and that an educator with unique experiences is the next step in the school’s story.
3. Ask Insightful Questions.
Be careful not to sound ill-informed or ask questions about items you could have readily gotten off their website or other easily accessible sources. Ask questions relevant to the position’s daily activities, like disciplining the students or extracurricular activities. Ask about specific things like the faculty’s team environment and how the administrators foresee the school growing or changing in the future. What goals does the principal expect new teachers to set and meet for themselves and their students during their first year on the job?
You can also turn your questions into a conversation by listening to your interviewers’ answers and responding with ways that you could contribute to their overall vision, to help them meet opportunities for growth on the horizon, or how you embody the qualities they just described when they discussed what they look for in an employee. This will demonstrate your interest, your capabilities, and your motivation.
4. Request for More Questions from the Panel.
Ask if they have any more questions to ensure they have exhausted all possible questions for you. This shows you know what you are doing and are fully prepared for them. It will also ensure you leave the interview with your interviewers with all the information they need to make an informed decision.
Answering as many questions as possible will serve a dual purpose. It will help you communicate your qualifications and determine what the panel seeks in a candidate. Listening carefully to their questions will allow you to ask informed questions when it’s your turn.
5. Never Talk About Money or Remuneration.
You cannot discuss wages and benefits during the initial interview; you can do that with a concrete job offer. For now, limit the discussion to how you can help. Once you offer the job, there will be plenty of time to negotiate compensation. There are some education positions where you cannot negotiate salary.
6. Inquire About the Competition.
There is no harm in finding out how many job applicants the school is interviewing for the teaching position. Knowing what you are up against may help you plan the best possible strategy to land the job. Make sure not to sound as if they are a threat to you, though. A good strategy for asking about this is to inquire regarding their interview timeline during your opportunity to ask questions.
Though the hiring committee may not explicitly tell you how many people they are considering, they will often let you know the duration of time interviews will be conducted and when they expect to make a decision will be made. They may inform you if the candidates will be notified of the decision. This is also valuable information as you will have a reasonable expectation of when to hear back from them. Therefore, you won’t spend time by phone worrying about a callback before they’ve even concluded interviewing candidates.
7. Ask The Next Step in The Hiring Process
Be sure to find out what the next step is before leaving. Find out who should contact whom and when they will expect to have made a decision. Ask in a very courteous manner. This can help you plan if there will be multiple rounds of interviews and establish a timeline for when a decision will be made.
8. Demonstrate Professionalism and Kindness
A firm handshake with all the panel members shows confidence, professionalism, and courtesy. Don’t shake one person’s hand; address each individual in the meeting room. Look them in the eyes, smile, and offer a hand to all, one after the other, thanking them for meeting with you. This small demonstration of your appreciation will make a positive impression on the committee.
9. Do Not Leave in a Hurry
In an interview, you must be fully prepared to commit to the hiring committee’s timeline. Don’t rush through the interview because you have other appointments. Ensure you have a clear schedule, allowing plenty of time between the interview and your next engagement. This way, you won’t have to feel pressed for time and can give your full, undivided attention to the conversation.
10. Pack Your Stuff Nicely
Don’t show any sign of nervousness. Take your time, and make sure you pack everything; do it gently and in an organized manner. It commands some respect and shows your confidence and ease.
Don’t stop the job search after you leave the interview room. Follow up properly via email or phone to increase your chances of landing a job offer.
