How does a teacher ace a job interview?

Question

I have 12 years of successful experience, a solid education, and great references............what could I be doing wrong?

Answer 1

Teaching is an extremely competitive field in many areas, and in some cases you're competing against pools of applicants that number over 200.  This time of year, sometimes they conduct interviews despite having candidates preselected for inhiring, who have already taught or subbed for that particular district.

Don't let it get you down.  If you're getting interviews, you're making the first cull, which is more than 80% of the applicants.

The main thing that is important in the interview is to be genuine and friendly, and not a butt kisser.

Make eye contact with each of the people on the panel, and make it a point to speak with each.  Each person there needs to feel that you think they are important and that it is their decision which will affect the outcome of the interview.

When they ask you questions, answer them honestly.  Don't give them some canned responses that you think they want to hear.  They will hear those same responses from 75% of the people, and they are looking for something that stands out.

Consider the little things about the interview too.  Are you dressing professionally?  Are you avoiding wearing perfume? (Yes, things like that can work against you)  Are you giving a firm handshake.  Are you listening to everything they are telling you without interrupting them?  

If you have interviewed multiple times, and you're banging your head over what you could be doing wrong, record the next interview.  Leave the recorder in your purse, and turn it on before you go in.  Later, listen to it and see how you sound to yourself.  This is a great way to hear how you appear to others, and might help you identify something you're doing wrong.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Interview Questions

http://www.alec.co.uk/interview/intq1.ht...

http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/cvinfo/prep...

http://www.cvwriting.org.uk/interview-qu...

http://www.cv-service.org/interview_ques...

http://www.interview-skills.co.uk/Resour...

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewq...

Answer 3

lack of good conversation?

Answer 4

differentiate yourself... why are you different then everyone else applying?

Answer 5

ask good questions after the interview.  This shows interest from you to them about their district and school building.  Willingness to work together, coach, advisor, etc- if you can- is also a big bonus.  Knowledge of current practices in education, especially NCLB, state standards and knowledge of SPED and inclusion.

Answer 6

I have found that it doesn't matter how many years of experience or the references but simply who you know...

Just be confident and strong in the interview.

Answer 7

Try rethinking your answers to questions that were asked.  Does it seem like you're set in your ways or are you making it known that you are open to change?  Sometimes people who have been in a profession for a long time seem to have the attitude of "I know what works so why change" without even knowing you're doing that...Just a suggestion.  Or perhaps the right position for you just hasn't come along yet.

Answer 8

relax! i know many people may go on all kinds of websites to help them ace an interview but they may not help cause its all about you. what can you do to accomplish that well the major cause of that i think is being nervous in front of the person thats interviewing you. u may not be nervous in front of your students but i mean an interview is like wow... so u know wat... but you must take away this fears which may be a problem and then you may do well. have a smile on your face and share your knowledge and the interviewer will understand by your alertness by a share of your knowledge etc. Da main key, Relax. do some relaxation techniques before....Good luck!

Answer 9

This is tough, but what I've learned is that it's usually not a personal thing.  Many schools have in mind what they are looking for and you may not be fitting their 'mold.'  You never know what the thoughts and motivators of the committee are. . .they may have ideas about the kind of person they are interested in hiring that are not posted in any job description.  I've had many interviews that I felt really good about where I didn't get the job.  When I learned who was hired, it was obvious that I wasn't exactly what they were looking for- my skill set, research interests, emphases within my field, etc. were completely different.  Try to remain confident and continue to give every interview your best!