week 4b: interview skills for new teachers - 2014
Post on 18-Oct-2014
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Week #4: The End is Only the Beginning –
Let the Job Hunt Begin
Interviewers Want to Know...
…how well you meet the requirements of the
teaching profession (KSAs). ...how interested you are in teaching. ...how well you will “fit” within the school culture. ...what the advantages are of hiring you over
someone else. …how ready you are to teach
Interviewees Want to Know...
…how well the position and school board
suit my needs and goals. …what the employer has to offer me. …what the advantages are of working for
this school board as opposed to others. …if my training has prepared me to teach in
this school division
Success in an interview depends upon…
…your knowledge about yourself, especially your skills and interests related to teaching (study your portfolio)
…your knowledge of the position and school board.
…your understanding of why you are suited to the teaching position.
…your interview skills.
Some Skills Required for Teaching
Communication Conflict resolution Evaluation Group facilitation Interpersonal Motivation Organization
Patience and understanding
Problem solving Program planning Public speaking Record keeping Supervision
Preparing for the Interview
Start with a self-assessment Learn as much as you can about the position
responsibilities skills and qualifications required
Learn as much as you can about the school/school board
Reflect on what you know about yourself as a teacher and a learner
Researching School Boards
Find out: The size and location of the school district. The mission/vision statement, goals and
objectives of the school board. Unique features of the school district and the
specific schools within the district. Regulations and policies within the district.
Any major challenges/issues the school district
currently may face. Other information?
Create a Wordle from their website
More Interview Preparation Tips
Compare what you know about yourself with what you know about the position and organization
Prepare some questions to ask Practice, practice, practice Find out as much as you can about the interviewers
and interview process Review the application you submitted for the position
and your teaching portfolio
Still More Interview Preparation Tips Get your “interview kit” ready
Teaching Portfolio Pad of paper and a pen/pencil Name and phone number of the interviewer
in case you’re delayed List of questions to ask the interviewer Copy of your application documents List of references and copies of reference
letters to give at the interview.
Get a good night’s sleep and eat something about an hour before the interview
Stages of the Interview
Stage 1 Opening the Interview
Stage 2 Exchange of Information
Stage 3 Closing the Interview
Stage 1:
Opening the Interview Introductions
Establishing rapport
Setting the agenda
Making a Favourable First Impression
Dress appropriately. Look clean and well groomed. Be punctual. Greet the interviewer(s) with enthusiasm. Smile and be friendly to everyone. Make eye contact. Don’t be afraid to make small talk.
Dress for Success: What not to wear? What to wear for men ? And women?
Stage 2:
Exchange of Information Be prepared to ask questions as
well as provide answers to the interviewers’ questions
Sit comfortably Be aware of non-verbal
communication What does your body language and voice
tell the interviewer? What does the interviewers’ body
language tell you?
Some Sure Signs the Interviewer’s Attention is Wandering
shuffling papers finger tapping hands playing with
things eyes down or glazed
over looking at watch/clock scratching head lying back in chair
sighinglegs repeatedly changing
positionpicking lint off clothespicking lint off your
clothes (do something quick!!)
(Source: The Student Guide to Job Hunting by Francois Cote)
Interview Questions
Structured format questions are pre-determined all applicants are asked the same
questions questions tend to be specific
Unstructured format each applicant may be asked different
questions depending on the direction of the interview which is not pre-determined
questions tend to be broad, general
Directive Interview Question
The interviewer determines the focus of your answer.
“What principles do you use to motivate students?”
“What additional subjects, apart from your area of specialization, would you feel confident to teach and at what level?”
Non-Directive Interview Question
You determine the focus of your answer.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Hypothetical Interview Question
The interviewer describes a situation and asks how you WOULD react if in a similar situation.
“Suppose you are meeting with a parent who is very upset about his/her son’s marks. How would you handle this situation?”
“What would you do if you found that your ideas and those of your principal differed?
Behaviour Descriptive Interview (BDI) Question The interviewer asks what you DID do in a
specific type of situation.
“Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a student with behavioral problems. How did you help to resolve it? What did you learn?”
Stress Interview Question The interviewer intentionally introduces stress
into the interview to see how well you react under pressure.
“If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?”
Answering Interview Questions
Think first, answer second Ask for clarification if necessary Focus on your skills and
achievements Provide specific examples. Draw on work and non-work related
experiences Turn negatives into positives Demonstrate good communication
skills
Stage 3
Closing the Interview
Ask questions you have prepared that were not answered during the course of the interview
Summarize your most relevant skills and qualities
Find out what happens next Thank the interviewer(s)
Leaving a Positive Lasting Impression
If invited to ask questions, do so but refrain from asking questions that have already been answered that could be answered with a little
research about salary and benefits
Summarize your relevant skills and qualities (e.g. visual summary sheet)
Remain upbeat from beginning to end Drop off a thank you card or note the
day after the interview
If two applicants were equal in education and experience, what traits would influence you to hire one over the other?
44% Ability to get along with others
42% Communication Skills
29% Confidence
28% Motivation/Ambition
18% Leadership Ability
15% Enthusiasm
11% Maturity
10% Learning Ability
25
Negative Factors Leading to Rejection
Poor personal appearance Overbearing, overaggressive, conceited Inability to express oneself clearly Lack of planning/vision for career Lack of interest and enthusiasm, passive Lack of confident and poise,
nervousness Failure to participate in activities Overemphasis on money Poor scholastic record Unwilling to start at the bottom Makes excuses Lack of tact Lack of maturity Lack of courtesy, poor manners Condemnation of past employers Dislike for school work Fails to look interviewer in the eye
Limp, fishy hand-shake Indecision Unhappy personal life Friction with other people Sloppy application form Cover letter/resume with errors Merely shopping around attitude Picky – wants job only for a short time Little sense of humor Long winded Impatient, doesn’t want as directed Arrives late or “just on time” Bad breath (e.g. smokers beware) Multiple piercings, tatoos etc. etc.
Mock Interviews