Interview Tips

1. Always arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled interview time.
2. If late, always call to let the interviewer know when to expect your arrival.
3. Address the administrators by name instead of referring to them as the principal, or the superintendent.
4. Ask questions that are important to you, such as:
What will parents expect of me?
How many evening and weekend activities does the school participate in?
Is there a chance that the school time might change?
Whatever you feel is important to you, ask about it in a way that shows interest on your part. You do not want to take a position and then find out you will have issues meeting certain expectations.

Last point, it is becoming increasingly unprofessional for educators to arrive at an interview dressed in casual apparrel. We can not continue to ask to be addressed as professionals, when we do not respect ourselves as professionals. If an accountant, attorney, or medical doctor asked you to help them interview an educator for a position at their place of business, you would dress accordingly. Why treat your profession any different? Take ourselves serious and others will do the same.
Dress appropriately--suit (pant/skirt/dress) is appropriate. For men, a shirt and tie is appropriate. No perfume/cologne, shave, hair pulled back in ponytail/bun or neatly styled in a manner that you would wear to work--not to a formal gathering.

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The interview is not just for the administrator you are interviewing with. It is for you to decide if this school is right for you.

Be yourself. No matter how bad you want (or need) a job, you do not want to be in a job that will make you miserable. Pretending to be someone you're not is not a good way to find the right job for you

Have questions ready to ask about the school. Some questions could include an inquiry about: some general background of the population of students, or how much parents get involved in education, type of discipline implemented in the school building, how much autonomy is allowed in the classroom, who decides the material that will or "should" be covered in a class, and how much room does a teacher have to branch off into other teaching methods.

Be sure, however, not to ask any questions that were discussed in the process of the interview. Usually you are given a chance to ask questions after answering many yourself.

Do not put a lot of emphasis on reading the person who interviews you. No matter how well or how poor you think the interview went, you have no idea what your chances are of being offered a position. So, don't worry about the interview once it is over! You probably did better than you think!

Interviews are not always one on one. Not only is the principal interviewing you but also school board members, and maybe a few teachers from the department you are applying for. You should know before you show up, what type of interview it is. However, don't loose your cool if you see a panel when you show up for a job interview.

Or you may asked to interview with more than one person. This is good because they are not all formal.

Take your time! After a questions is asked, rephrase it into a statement and spend a few seconds, formulating an answer. Don't rush. Be sure that you don't blurt out answers without thinking first.

Be firm in your answers, don't try and answer questions the way you think they want you to. Be honest!

Most of all, relax. Be yourself and remember it won't last forever