Welcome to “How to Wow Employers with Your Interview and Portfolio” Led by Mary C. Clement, Professor of Teacher Education, Berry College, Mount Berry, Ga. To ensure the best audio recording quality, all phones lines have been muted. You may type your questions into the chat log on the left side of the screen. If you lose your connection, consult the instructions provided to you at the time of registration and re-enter the webinar using those directions. If you need additional assistance, please contact or call

How to Wow Employers with Your Interview and Portfolio Mary C. Clement Berry College, Ga.

Today we will … Help you get your interview portfolio ready Prepare you for preliminary interviews Provide you with state-of-the art interview techniques

An interview portfolio is not: The huge binder you prepared during student teaching Electronic Something that an employer will ask to see So why do it?

An interview portfolio is: A ½-inch to 1-inch binder A portfolio with 6-8 items Something you show to interviewers at preliminary and on-site interviews Your visual aid to use as you answer questions

What are the items I need? 1. One or two lesson plans 2. A classroom management plan 3. A parent letter 4. One or two pages of a unit or curriculum map

You may add the following: 1. A sample quiz or test that you made 2. A sample grading scale 3. Evidence of student achievement (names removed) 4. A few (3-4) pictures of how you organized a classroom (no student pictures)

How do I use the portfolio? When asked a question about planning, management, grading, student achievement, or parent communication, you turn to that item in your portfolio and discuss it to answer the question. Use it at preliminary and on-site interviews.

Preliminary interviews Preliminary interviews sort the candidates who will get final interviews. They are conducted by telephone, online, and at job fairs. Job fairs are held on campus and in districts.

A preliminary interview: Is 10 to 30 minutes long May only have three to six questions Must make you stand out from the crowd HINT: Have a 60-second commercial about yourself ready to say. (Professional profile)

One to two lines highlight your preparation “Having just completed a year-long student teaching experience that included work in grades 2 and 5, I have learned how to organize and manage a classroom. My 12 semester hours of reading instruction help me to meet the needs of all learners, recognizing that reading is the key to student achievement.”

Another professional profile “Studying a semester in Sevilla, Spain, improved my fluency in Spanish, which made my student teaching experience a great one. My teacher and I used as much Spanish as possible in every lesson, making about 90 to 95% of the classes in the language. We had at-risk students speaking the language and earning B’s, which were grades above what they were earning in English classes.”

Preliminary interview questions Tell us about your best teaching experience. How have you organized a classroom for strong management and discipline? What is your experience teaching _________ ? Describe a lesson that went well and why.

What is unique about you? Why do you want to work in our district? What special skills or experience do you bring to teaching? Tell me the most important item on your résumé.

BBI-style interviews Behavior-based interviewing Past experience is the best predictor of future success. Tell me about … Describe how you have … Explain how you …

You will be asked questions about … Curriculum Planning Management/discipline Differentiation of instruction Data analysis and assessment Parent communication and professionalism

Answer with: PAR – Problem, Action, Result STAR – Situation, Task, Action, Result Practice answers in front of a mirror and with another person.

Tell about your best teaching experience. “I was working with my cooperating teacher in a 4th grade with several special needs children (S). We were preparing students for the state’s standardized states (T) and I prepared a series of review lessons that emphasized reading and math together in story problems (A). I learned that students can be prepared for tests without stress and fear by having engaging lessons where they gain confidence (R).”

Tell about an experience with management. “In student teaching, I had trouble getting my 7th graders not to shout out answers when I was teaching (P). My teacher suggested using more think/pair/share strategies to get all students to think of the answer (A). It worked. My students learned to think of the answer, share it with a partner or write it down, and then we shared aloud (R).”

What employers really want A teacher who can organize and manage a classroom (No discipline problems) A teacher who can raise student achievement A teacher who can work with ALL students A teacher who gets along with other faculty

What else do employers want? Energetic, enthused teachers People who work for improvement and don’t complain Strong interpersonal skills, ability to speak well, good grammar

Now, let’s answer these Tell us about your best teaching experience. How have you organized a classroom for strong management and discipline? What is your experience teaching _________ ? Describe a lesson that went well and why.

More sample questions Elementary: 1. Describe reading strategies that you have used. 2. How have you worked to raise student achievement/test scores? 3. Describe an interesting activity that is developmentally appropriate for grade _____.

Middle Grades 1. Describe your experience with team teaching. 2. Explain the maturity levels of 7th graders. 3. How have you raised achievement scores in math? 4. How have you worked with a student who refuses to do work?

High School 1. How have you encouraged students to stay in school and graduate? 2. What are two important methods or strategies for teaching your content? 3. Explain your grading scale to me as if I were a 9th grader.

You will be asked questions about … Curriculum Planning Management/discipline Differentiation of instruction Data analysis and assessment Parent communication and professionalism

Hot Questions Be prepared to talk about how you have differentiated instruction. How have you used student data to inform your lesson planning? Your assessments? How have you raised student achievement?

Illegal Questions You can not be asked about family, children, religion, native language, or disabilities. Do not volunteer this information either, unless it helps your résumé.

If asked, what do I say? “I know what parents need to know from the teacher, because I am a parent.” Give a positive example. Talk about teaching. Only you can decide how to answer. Some say, “Time is limited and I want to talk about my great first year of teaching.”

Crazy questions If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be, and why? Write a poem about yourself.

Your Questions At the end, you may be asked: What else do you want us to know about you? - sell your teaching expertise What are your questions for me? - induction, mentoring, professional development

Keys to Winning a Job 1. Practice answering job interview questions. 2. Know what you bring to the table. What sets you apart? If asked, “Why should I hire you instead of the other 345 applicants?” you need an answer. 3. Radiate enthusiasm, energy, and a positive attitude.

Do not forget: Wear career clothes – this means a suit. Make sure your hair, jewelry, etc. are professional. Practice a strong handshake. Make eye contact.

Final hints No matter the question, answer with a behavior-based answer. (PAR and STAR) Sell your experience. Be professional. Be positive. Do your homework and know the district and schools in the district.

Good interviewing: Is teaching someone one-on-one. Use your portfolio. Smile. Get the job! Stay in your professional organizations – PLT.

This webinar was brought to you by Educational Horizons, the official magazine of Pi Lambda Theta. Questions?