Conducting Successful Interviews

Starter: Think about Interview Questions Interview questions? BestWorstHardestEasiestMost probingInappropriate

Training Outcomes By the end of this session you will: Consider appropriate interview questions Analyse the answers from interview candidates Develop appropriate non-verbal skills for interviewing

Task 1a: Asking the Right Questions Tell us about yourself and why you find yourself here. After spending a day in the school, why would you like to work here? Where do you feel is the place for modern foreign languages in a primary school? One of the areas that we are really seeking to develop is our mathematics provision, especially in Key Stage 2; how could you help with this? Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you feel you could add to the extra-curricular provision at the school? Is there anything you’d like to ask us? Do you feel the process has been fair? How do you ensure that candidate elaborate on short answers or develop good ideas?

Task 1a: Mini Plenary (i) You may want to clarify unclear areas, probe any answers they may give during the interview, or ask questions about any references you may have received. You could use questions beginning with: What did you mean by…? Tell me more about… How did you…?

Task 1b: Asking the Right Questions Ask the candidates for evidence/examples to back up any answers they give. Don’t take what they tell you at face value. For example, if you ask them about their ability to be flexible and adaptable to situations or about using their initiative, ask them to give an example of a time when they had to display these characteristics. Now ask middle leaders to try the paired exercise again using a generic question such as: ‘What was it about this post that attracted you to apply?’ and looking for ways to draw out deeper answers.

Task 1b: Mini Plenary 4 tips on interviewing Avoid asking closed questions to which the candidate can answer with a 'yes' or 'no' or another one-word answer. Ask open questions, such as those starting with 'what', 'why', 'where', 'when' and 'how‘. Avoid asking questions that give away the answer that you are looking for (leading question), like, ‘I'm sure you like all aspects of working with children, don't you?’ Ask one question at a time. Asking multiple questions will confuse the candidate.

Task 1c Create a set of subject-specific questions.

Task 2a: Ensuring Interviews are Fair Design a 5-point interview scoring system. 0= 1= 2= 3= 4= 5=

Task 2a: Mini Plenary 0 = No answer or poor performance – an answer which is not relevant to the question or lacks any content 1 = Answer is factually incorrect – incorrect or inadequate answer 2 = Insufficient answer – a response has some relevance but was rather superficial and did not show any depth of understanding 3 = Adequate answer – response was relevant to the question and demonstrated some understanding 4 = Good answer – a response which demonstrated a good understanding and knowledge 5 = Excellent answer – a full and detailed answer which demonstrates an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject

Task 2b: Ensuring Interviews are Fair Select an interview question from earlier and create five answers, one for each point on the scale.

Task 3: Presenting Yourself at Interview What demeanor should an interviewer present? Body language Tone of voice Style of discussion

Task 3b: Mini Plenary Smartly but comfortably dressed Warm and welcoming rather than austere and testing Knowledgeable rather than vague or unsure Well prepared rather than disorganised Friendly and inclusive rather than distant and hierarchical

Plenary What are your top tips for interviewers?

Plenary: Top Tips Prepare around five subject-specific questions in advance. Frame the questions in an open way and consider how you might prompt a more detailed response. Pick up on any subject-related issues raised by the candidate’s application letter. Avoid leading questions or prompts Make helpful notes that can provide feedback for unsuccessful candidates. Make sure your demeanour is welcoming and professional.