HOW TO HAVE A GREAT INTERVIEW QUALITY ACT

Do Your Homework! Prepare necessary documents Find out about the school Prepare questions for the interviewer Plan your dress Review common questions

Do Your Homework  Prepare the necessary documents Resume-Professional and concise Quality ACT Acceptance Letter TExES Scores (if passed) District Application References Transcripts Notepad for taking notes

Do Your Homework  Find out about the school Strengths and weaknesses in achievement School or district website Local newspapers Demographics Location of the campus

Do Your Homework  Prepare questions for the interviewer General in nature-History of campus, greatest challenges, etc. No questions on salary and benefits May ask clarification questions  Plan your dress Dress professionally Current fashions such as facial jewelry, crop tops, etc. are not appropriate

Do Your Homework  Review common question Personality/Professionalism Ex.-Tell us about yourself? Why do you want to teach in this school? What are your greatest strengths? Classroom Management.-How would you set up routines and procedures at the beginning of the year? Who should be responsible for discipline? How would you motivate students? Describe reasons you would contact parents. What are some consequences you would use for student misbehavior?

Do Your Homework  Curriculum/Instructional Techniques, cont. How can you use technology in your classes? Describe how you develop a lesson plan. What will you do if a student has difficulty learning a concept?  Relationships with Students/Colleagues/Parents Ex.-How would you help students be successful? What experiences have you had working with different cultures? How would you handle an angry parent? What kind of teachers do you like as colleagues?

Tips on Answering the Questions Respond as if in a conversation, not an interrogation. Stay on topic in your responses-don’t “birdwalk.” Use personal stories to give examples of your skills. For instance, tell about a time when you functioned as part of a team, how you overcame a crisis, etc. Review “educationese” and use the terms in your responses.

Tips on Answering the Questions Practice responding to the sample questions. Talk to an educator about your responses. Don’t take too long to answer a question. If you know nothing at all about the question you are asked, ask for clarification and attempt to respond. However, don’t try to fake an answer-it will be obvious.

It’s Showtime! The Day of the Interview Eat breakfast or lunch; Be sure you have all needed documents; Get to the interview early but wait in the car; Be cordial to everyone you meet-students, other staff, secretary, custodian; Turn off your cell phone; Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer; Stay focused and calm; and Be aware of your body language.

Panel Interviews Prepare as you would for a one-on-one interview. Make eye contact and shake hands as you are introduced to each panel member. Call each panel member by name as you respond to a question. Cross reference a questions to another’s panel member’s question when appropriate. Ask for a business card from each interviewer. Thank each member of the panel at the conclusion of the interview.

It’s Showtime! The Day of the Interview Interviewing Don’ts!! Don’t arrive late. Don’t ask about salary, time off, etc. Don’t make negative comments about former employers. Don’t give the impression that the location of the school is important. Don’t be unprepared. Don’t talk too much. Don’t allow distractions.

After the Interview Ask about the next steps in the hiring process. After leaving, make notes about the interview. Immediately write thank-you notes to all interviewers and personalize them. Make a follow-up call in 1-2 weeks; ask if the position has been filled and, if not, ask if you are still under consideration. Make no further contact.

After the Interview RELAX!!!!! You have done a great job on your interview and the phone will be ringing soon!

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