1. Interview Do’s & Don’ts for Education Majors

2. An interview is just talking, right?
Qualifications matter!
Perhaps not as much as you think
You only have one chance to make a good impression…

3. Get ready… Look your best Be prepared Be on time Be confident
Be polite

4. Dress for Success Buzzwords: Traditional & conservative
Dark, solid color suit in charcoal, navy or black
Light colored dress shirt or blouse, freshly pressed
Nice, well-kept, dark-colored shoes

5. Tips for Men
Wear a belt
You should shave your facial hair or make sure it is neatly trimmed.
If you have any visible body parts pierced, i.e. nose, ear, eyebrow, etc. Experts suggest that you remove all jewelry, including earrings

6. More tips for men Take a shower and wear deodorant
If you wear cologne, do so sparingly
You have to Dress for Success!

7. This is appropriate…

8. Distinguish Yourself: Wear a Tie

9. Tips for Women
Skirt length should be a little below the knee and never shorter than above the knee -- no night club attire here.
Avoid wearing a dress (unless accented with a jacket).

10. More tips for women Blouses should be cotton or silk.
Shoes should be low-heeled.
Make-up should be minimal, with lipstick and nail polish in conservative tones.
Pantyhose should be flawless (no runs) and conservative in color.

11. Even more women tips Take a shower and wear deodorant
You should opt for a briefcase rather than a purse.
You have to Dress for Success.

12. This is appropriate…

13. This is appropriate, too!

14. This isn’t…

15. Tips For Everyone Clean, polished conservative shoes Well-groomed hair
Cleaned, trimmed fingernails
No visible piercings beyond conservative ear piercings for women
Well-brushed teeth & fresh breath

16. No gum, candy or other objects in mouth
Minimal jewelry
Do a last minute check when you arrive at the interview

17. Before the interview…
Hopefully, you’ll have a few days to prepare for your interview… make the most of that time!

18. Know your school
Do some research – What does the school do well? Is there an active PTO?
Know the school’s stats – Are they on top of their game?
Know the area – is it rural? Urban?

19. Personal Inventory It’s not all about you…
It’s all about what YOU can do for the SCHOOL
Compile a list of skills, traits, or specific areas of knowledge that relate to the job!

20. Be Prepared! Illegal questions Traditional questions
Behavioral questions
Prepare answers and study them!

21. References Contact potential references and ask if you may use them
*** DANGER ***
Get in touch via , phone or live and go over your skills inventory with them – especially important if you have not worked with the individual

22. Interview Day Paper, pencils or pens
At least two copies of your resume/cover letter
Copy of reference sheet
Portfolio

23. Location, location, location
Know where you are going…
If possible, visit the school before to make sure you know where to turn, park, etc.
Determine a conservative time schedule – give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to relax and mentally prepare before the interview

24. Deal-breakers Gum Cigarettes/smelling of smoke
Athletic shoes or flip-flops
Revealing clothing
Tight clothing
Dirty clothing

25. The Actual Interview The Handshake with Steady Eye Contact
Wait to be seated
Listen to the entire question before you answer it.
Speak clearly and audibly
HONESTY is always the best policy

26. Use the right words…
Ask your OWN questions
If you want it – express your strong interest
Ask for a decision deadline and if you may call at that point

27. After the interview…
Send an individual thank you card AND to all your interviewers within 24 hours of the interview
Follow-up with a brief phone call if you have not been contacted by the deadline

28. Evaluation Poise Voice Dress Grammar Vocabulary
And that’s not counting the answers to your interview questions. 

29. Category
4: Best of the Best
(Few Students will Attain)
3: Excellent
(Above Average)
2: Marginal
(Some Improvement Needed)
1: Not Suitable
(Must Improve)
Poise
Posture excellent
Confidence in answers
Direct eye contact
Answers flow smoothly
Eye contact
Relaxed demeanor
Somewhat nervous
Limited eye contact
Few glitches in answers
Nervous tension obvious
No eye contact
Unsure of responses
Voice
Tone and inflection varied
Enthusiastic
Enunciation is excellent
No filler expressions
Tone, inflection appropriate
Show energy
Enunciation is acceptable
Few filler expressions
Somewhat monotone
Low energy
Weak enunciation
Many filler expressions
Monotone
No energy
Must mouth
Dress
Extremely professional
Pressed
Suit, Dress, Shoes…
Hair: extremely professional
Professional
Dress Clothes
Hair: neat
Not professional
Slightly wrinkled
Street clothes
Hair: marginal
Inappropriate
Wrinkled
Casual clothes
Hair: messy
Grammar
No grammatical mistakes
1 or 2 mistakes
More than 3-5 mistakes
More than 5 mistakes
Vocabulary*
Superior
Appropriate for question
Appropriate
College level
Marginal
Slightly varied
Poor
No variation
Answers
Answers this question
References
Extended thought
Logical
Concise
Complete
Thoughtful
Some thought
Partial answer
Not this question
Incomplete
*Vocabulary is not to be rated on use of educational terms.

30. Looking for answers
Give three ways a teacher can display appropriate personal and professional behavior.
What is your definition of diversity? Give examples to support your definition.

31. How do you think your teaching will be impacted by technology?
Give examples of how your former teachers evaluated (graded/assessed) your work. Which method did you like the most? Why? Which method did you like the least? Why?

32. Do you believe that all students can learn at high levels of achievement? Why or why not? Give examples to support your belief.
Based on a religious belief, a student will not stand or say the Pledge of Allegiance. How will you handle this situation?

33. A parent-teacher conference has been scheduled for one of your students. When you arrive, there are two men there who parent this child. What is your initial reaction? How would you handle the conference?

34. How will you show sensitivity to cultural differences in your teaching career?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how receptive are you to new innovations in teaching? Explain how you incorporate new ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge with your prior knowledge.

35. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
Explain your philosophy of classroom management.
Do you believe you can forge working relationships with all of your students? Why or why not?