Preparing For Preparing For The Job InterviewThe Job Interview

ContentsContents

Preparing Your ApplicationPreparing Your Application

Cover Letter PreparationCover Letter Preparation

RRéésumsuméé Preparation Preparation

Interview PreparationInterview Preparation

Checklist for a Positive InterviewChecklist for a Positive Interview

Putting it All TogetherPutting it All Together

ReflectionReflection

Preparing Your ApplicationPreparing Your Application

Include all documentation as requestedInclude all documentation as requested

Include a brief cover letter outlining your Include a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your specific interest in the position and your specific achievementsachievements

Include a rInclude a réésumsumé that is no more than two é that is no more than two pages in lengthpages in length

Include relevant information to support Include relevant information to support your interest in the positionyour interest in the position

Cover Letter PreparationCover Letter Preparation

Declare your interestDeclare your interest

Outline the match between skills required Outline the match between skills required and your skills in anecdotal termsand your skills in anecdotal terms

Ensure that all salutations, names and Ensure that all salutations, names and specific requirements are correct in both specific requirements are correct in both form and spellingform and spelling

Be brief – no more than one pageBe brief – no more than one page

RRéésumsumé Preparationé Preparation

The style, format and design of your The style, format and design of your rréésumsumé is up to youé is up to you

Your Your rréésumsumé should reflect the é should reflect the professional nature of the teaching professional nature of the teaching professionprofession

Provide the information as requestedProvide the information as requested

Interview PreparationInterview Preparation

The interview is an opportunity to present The interview is an opportunity to present yourself as a dedicated, professional, yourself as a dedicated, professional, Catholic educator and convince the panel Catholic educator and convince the panel that you would be an excellent Catholic that you would be an excellent Catholic teacherteacherBe ready to provide concrete evidence Be ready to provide concrete evidence that you are the best candidate for the that you are the best candidate for the positionpositionYou are invited to bring any additional You are invited to bring any additional information (e.g. portfolio) to the interviewinformation (e.g. portfolio) to the interview

Interview PreparationInterview Preparation

Assess position requirementsAssess position requirements

Assess your personal skills and strengths Assess your personal skills and strengths as they apply to the positionas they apply to the position

Anticipate typical interview questionsAnticipate typical interview questions

PRACTICEPRACTICE

PRACTICEPRACTICE

PRACTICEPRACTICE

Checklist for a Positive Checklist for a Positive InterviewInterview

Address the interview team professionallyAddress the interview team professionally

SMILESMILE

Make eye contactMake eye contact

Give a firm handshakeGive a firm handshake

Feel free to ask questionsFeel free to ask questions

Be formalBe formal

Share insights and experiencesShare insights and experiences

Checklist for a Positive Checklist for a Positive InterviewInterview

When referring to previous employers, When referring to previous employers,

co-workers, supervisors or other contacts, co-workers, supervisors or other contacts, always speak positivelyalways speak positively

Always provide accurate informationAlways provide accurate information

Remember: an interview is not a forum for Remember: an interview is not a forum for argument and debateargument and debate

Checklist for a Positive Checklist for a Positive InterviewInterview

Provide complete answers incorporating Provide complete answers incorporating relevant examples of skills and relevant examples of skills and experiencesexperiences

Remain as calm as you canRemain as calm as you can

Be confidentBe confident

Trust in yourselfTrust in yourself

Putting it All TogetherPutting it All Together

Role play and practiceRole play and practiceAnticipate questions. Questions will be Anticipate questions. Questions will be posed to you in the following categories:posed to you in the following categories:– Catholic EducationCatholic Education– Commitment to Pupils and LearningCommitment to Pupils and Learning– Professional KnowledgeProfessional Knowledge– Professional Practice Professional Practice

Provide evidence and give concrete Provide evidence and give concrete examples of your skillsexamples of your skills

Putting it All TogetherPutting it All Together

Speak to and provide answers to the Speak to and provide answers to the questionsquestions

Prepare one or two questions to ask the Prepare one or two questions to ask the interview teaminterview team

Be prepared to add any important Be prepared to add any important information about your skills and information about your skills and experiences, as they relate to the position, experiences, as they relate to the position, that you were not able to incorporate into that you were not able to incorporate into the questions askedthe questions asked

ReflectionReflection

The prime responsibility for creating [a] unique Christian The prime responsibility for creating [a] unique Christian school climate rests with the teachers, as individuals and school climate rests with the teachers, as individuals and as a community. The religious dimension of the school as a community. The religious dimension of the school climate is expressed through the celebration of Christian climate is expressed through the celebration of Christian values in Word and Sacrament, in individual behavior, in values in Word and Sacrament, in individual behavior, in friendly and harmonious interpersonal relationships, and friendly and harmonious interpersonal relationships, and in a ready availability. Through this daily witness, the in a ready availability. Through this daily witness, the students will come to appreciate the uniqueness of the students will come to appreciate the uniqueness of the environment to which their youth has been entrusted. If it environment to which their youth has been entrusted. If it is not present, then there is little left which can make the is not present, then there is little left which can make the school Catholic.school Catholic.

(The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, (The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School,

S.C. for Catholic Education, 1988, para. 26).S.C. for Catholic Education, 1988, para. 26).

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board wishes you District School Board wishes you

all the best as you embark on your all the best as you embark on your journey in Catholic education.journey in Catholic education.