Interview Help

The following advice looks specifically at interviews for teaching roles, but also gives some generic advice as well.

Your objective at a job interview is to gather facts about the job and to sell yourself to a potential employer. The interviewer's objective is to decide if you are the right person for the job in terms of experience, qualifications and attitude. It is up to you to demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position.

  1. In Preparation  
  2. Questions  
  3. At the Interview  
  4. Post Interview  

In Preparation

 

It is very important that you are prepared for your interview. The following tips will help you towards being well prepared on the day.

Collect together all the information you will need to take to the interview:

  • Two copies of your CV - the school or LA may have misplaced yours
  • Original copies of your qualifications
  • Written testimonials from past jobs
  • Your portfolio

Read over the advertisement again to remind yourself of the position you are applying for and its requirements. Review your CV and application form so that you remember what you have written.

Make sure you know where and when the interview is and plan your journey to arrive 10 minutes early and make sure you know the interviewer's name and job title.

Find out as much as you can about the education institution offering the job. You should look to see whether the institution has a website – you can search for individual websites using a major search engine.

Prepare answers for questions that may be asked. We have some examples for you in the next section. Remember to be able to back up your answers with relevant examples.

If you have been asked to teach a lesson, plan carefully:

  • Find out in advance about the age range, ability and number of children in the class.
  • Ensure the school has a list of resources you need and can provide them.
  • Avoid leaving any photocopying to the last day.
  • Give the observer a lesson plan so they know what your aims and objectives are.
  • If possible, practice the interview situation with a friend or family member.
  • Remember to dress smartly for the position you are applying for. Instant judgements will be made about your appearance.

Questions

The following are some questions that you may be asked at an interview. This is not a definitive list and it is essential that you are prepared to answer questions relating to any of your previous jobs or experience, as well as being familiar with the school and post you have applied for.

Personality profile:

  • What made you go into teaching in the first place?
  • What made you decide to apply for this post?
  • What words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
  • Are there any areas in your professional development that you would like to develop?
  • What have been the high points in your career over the past couple of years?
  • What is your greatest satisfaction of the last two years?
  • Classroom management:

Describe what classroom management means in terms of behaviour and organisation.

  • What teaching methods have you found most effective (for year 'x')?
  • What differences are there in teaching, for example, a class of Year 7 (11 year olds) and Year 11 (15 year olds)?
  • How would you deal with dissaffected children in your class?

Curriculum knowledge:

  • What resources/ syllabi do you use to deliver the curriculum?
  • What experience do you have of teaching the National Curriculum?
  • What do you feel is the highest level of ability you are able to teach?

Lesson planning:

  • Give an example of a lesson you felt went particularly well.
  • Give an example of a lesson you felt went particularly badly - why, and how did you resolve the situation?
  • When planning a lesson, what elements do you ensure are covered within it?
  • How do you organise homework for your class?

Key responsibilities:

  • Do you hold any key responsibilities within your school?
  • Describe your management style.
  • Have you been involved in any extra curricular activities?

Other:

  • Why are you leaving your current position?
  • What are your observations about the school you are applying to?
  • If you were offered the post would you take it?
  • If you are not offered the position would you like feedback from this interview?

At the Interview

You will want to give a good impression so arrive in plenty of time and make sure you look 'neat and tidy'.

Relax! Take a deep breath, remind yourself of your career success to date and appreciate the fact that you are a talented individual. Try to be yourself and remember to:

  • Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
  • Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying. You will be able to better understand their specific needs and objectives and frame your answers in direct response to these identified needs.
  • Be professional and focused, yet friendly and personable. Your attitude and demeanour matter as much as your response.
  • Be brief but thorough in your responses. Do not waffle as you will lose the interest of the interviewer and avoid yes or no answers. Relate your experience to the question being asked.
  • If you do not understand a question ask the interviewer to explain.
  • Maintain eye contact with the person while talking to them. If there are governors or others present, ensure you talk to them as well.
  • Back up your qualifications, outlining how they relate to the position and the school's specific needs.
  • Ask when you can expect to hear whether you have been successful or not.
  • Make sure you have the opportunity to ask questions of your own. You are interviewing them as well and trying to find out if their school is the place for you.
  • Thank the interviewer at the end

Post Interview

After an interview, it’s always a good idea to send a thank you letter or email. It’s a great way to express your gratitude towards an employer for allowing you the time to discuss your experiences. Don’t forget to send it out immediately after your interview. You’ll stay fresh in the mind of the employer and may even score bonus points for excellent follow-up skills.

Spend some time thinking about how well you did or how you can improve your job interview technique if you find yourself unsuccessful.

If you get the position, congratulations! And don't forget to let us know, it is always good to hear from you.

If you were not successful, call and ask the school why not. Anything they tell you will be of great help in preparing for future interviews. Ask them to be frank and evaluate their feedback carefully. Perhaps discuss it with a mentor and ask for their advice for future interviews.