If you’ve been invited to an interview for a Teacher job which you’ve been dreaming about, you’re bound to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. There’s nothing wrong with feeling anxious because nerves, when channelled properly, can help you perform better.
Whilst it is important to prepare your Teacher CV to give an initial insight into your skills and experience, an interview is the best chance for a hiring manager to see what you have to offer their school. It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your skills, personality and knowledge in order to land your dream job.
With that in mind, here are our top five tips on how to prepare for a Teacher interview:
- Think ahead
- Don’t burn bridges
- All experience is good experience
- Don’t badmouth former employers or colleagues
- Check in appropriately
Think ahead
An interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them at the end of your interview. It’s a good idea to prepare some in advance so you don’t freeze on the spot. Not having any questions could be interpreted as a lack of interest in their school and the role you’re applying for.
Asking questions at the end of an interview shows the interviewer that you are interested in the position and have taken the time to research and understand the company and the job requirements.
Asking questions can also help clarify any information that was discussed during the interview. This can help you better understand the expectations of the position, the company culture, and the opportunities for growth and development.
We would recommend having 5-6 questions prepared just in case some of your questions are naturally answered during the course of the interview.
Strong and insightful questions to ask are
- What are the main challenges which the school faces?
- What technology is available for Teachers to use?
- What opportunities do you offer for professional development?
- What are your favourite things about working at this school?
- How involved are parents in the school?
- Does the school have an active PTA group?
Don’t burn bridges
An unsuccessful interview can be disheartening but you have to rise above this and think positively. Always thank an interviewer for their time and the opportunity as you wouldn’t want to leave on a bad note.
Even if you don't get the job you interviewed for, it's possible that you may want to apply for another position at the same school or with the same district in the future. If you burn bridges, you may not be considered for future opportunities.
It's also important to maintain a professional reputation in the education community. Burning bridges can damage your reputation and make it more difficult to find a job in the future.
The education community is relatively small, and Teachers and Administrators often know each other or have worked together in the past. Maintaining a positive relationship with those you interact with during the interview process can lead to networking opportunities that may benefit you in the future.
All experience is good experience
Missing out on a job opportunity can be disappointing but remember that all experience is good experience. Just because you weren’t right for this role, it doesn’t mean that you’ll never find your dream job.
Preparing for an interview requires self-reflection on your skills, experiences, and career goals. This can help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for personal and professional growth.
Interviews provide the opportunity to practise your communication skills, and receive feedback on your performance. This can help you improve your interview skills and become more confident in your abilities. Keep your head up and focus on what you learnt from the situation to help you improve in the future.
Don’t badmouth former employers or colleagues
Badmouthing a previous employer can make you look unprofessional and can raise questions about your integrity and ability to work well with others. These are not characteristics a school will be looking for in a new member of staff.
Speaking negatively about a previous school can damage your professional reputation, whether you do it in an interview, in public or on social media. This can make it more difficult for you to find future employment opportunities.
If you badmouth a previous school, it could potentially harm your relationships with former colleagues and you run the risk of affecting them providing a glowing character reference for you.
Check in appropriately
Following up after an interview is advised if you have been waiting a while to hear back from the school. However, hiring managers who work for schools are likely to have a busy schedule, so try not to check in too soon.
If the hiring manager doesn’t set out the next steps at the end of your interview, you might want to confirm these so you know when to expect feedback.
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