A teaching job interview starts when your phone rings; this means maintaining a professional image to receive an in-person second interview.
Even when you are at your house answering your phone. You never know who’s on the other line.
It could be a person from the interview panel phoning about the teaching position you applied for; you must be ready for a phone interview at a moment’s notice. Remember, first impressions count. Always being prepared and prepared will not only help prevent any potentially embarrassing moments before you go to the teaching job interview, but it will keep you in a positive frame of mind.
The last thing you want to do is leave a bad impression by making mistakes during the interview. Read these interviewing tips and practice questions you will encounter at your next interview.
Teaching Job Interview
How You Answer the Phone is Critical to Landing a Second Interview
As stated above, remain professional—always. It’s good practice to use your name when saying hello to answer the phone so that the caller knows it’s you on the phone immediately.
Keep a copy of your resume and cover letter close by so you can speak to it in case an impromptu phone screen pops up. Always be ready to discuss your personal/professional accomplishments and interest in the school or establishment.
If you’re invited for an in-person interview, be sure to politely accept and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to prepare. If you’ve already taken another position, be polite in declining the interview and thank the individual for their interest and outreach.
Finally, if you haven’t changed your answering machine voicemail in a while, it may be a good idea to refresh it a bit. Make sure it’s warm and inviting while remaining professional. Treat your home voicemail the same you would your personal or work one, and check it often.
At the Interview
When you arrive, you may be asked to wait for a little while. Keep calm and take the opportunity to think of how you will answer any questions you think might be asked during the meeting.
If there are books or pamphlets about the school in the waiting room, you may want to peruse them. You’ll look enthusiastic and interested, and it may give you more background to discuss the school and the position. Don’t misuse this time, like listen to your iPod or talk on the phone.
Know the name of who you will see and ask for them by name when you enter the waiting room. Making a good impression in the waiting room is just as important as when the interview begins. The opinions of the secretaries, receptionists, and other teachers often influence an interviewer’s judgment. A favorable or unfavorable comment by them can be a critical factor in helping the interviewer decide. So be friendly, polite, and courteous from the moment you walk in the door until the moment you leave.
Interview Questions
Always be prepared to answer different types of questions during an interview, especially behavioral questions. These are designed not only to get an idea of your teaching skills but also to articulate them effectively.
Listen carefully to each question and formulate your answer accordingly. Remember, taking a second to pause and think before speaking is okay! Be sure not to ramble on, and keep answers to-the-point and concise while covering all relevant information.
If you need help preparing for interview questions, professional services such as Candace can help!
After the Interview
Always thank the interview(s) for their time, and gather your things to leave. Be sure to give a firm handshake and make eye contact. Most of all, be genuine.
Finally, don’t forget your thank-you letter! Always try to send this within 24 hours of an interview, and make sure to expand upon any information you may have forgotten to say or missed during the in-person meeting. Again, thank your interviewer(s) for their time and reiterate your interest in the position.
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