INTERVIEWING

Interviewing

A two-way process

A professional conversation

Four questions in the interviewer’s mind...

How will this candidate: relate with the students in this school? work with other faculty? cooperate with the administration? fit into the community?

Four questions for you…

How will I: relate with the students in this school? work with the faculty in this school? cooperate with the administration? fit into this community?

Types of interviews

Screening interviews include campus interviews and Education

Interview Day interviews

Selection interviews often for a specific teaching position provides an opportunity to make more

specific preparations for the interview

Types of interviews (cont’d)

Phone interviews Urban Teacher Perceiver often done by

phone Challenges Recommended strategies

Group/panel interviews More common for site interviews

Types of interviews (cont’d)

Structured interviews Each person is asked the same questions The interviewer will often be taking

notes; interviews may be recorded Looking for specific types of responses Urban Teacher Perceiver is one example

Types of interviews (cont’d)

Unstructured interviews The interviewer may appear to be asking

questions at random “Good ol’ boy” interview; conversation Determine what you want the employer

to know about you

Types of interviews (cont’d)

Behavioral-based interviews Based on the premise that past behavior

or performance predicts future behavior or performance

Questions often begin with “Tell me about a time when...” or “Give me an example of...”

Types of interviews (cont’d)

Behavioral-based interviews STAR response

Situation/Task Action Result

Important to select specific example(s)

Prepare for the interview

Research prior to the interview: the school district the community your qualifications

Research the school district What does the public relations literature

say about the district? What is the funding base? Who makes the decisions in the district? How large are the classes? What are the facilities like? Who is on the school board? How involved are the parents?

Research the community

What is the community like? Who are the community leaders? What does the community think of

the school district? What kind of financial and volunteer

support does the community give the school?

Research your qualifications

Why did you choose teaching? What special qualities do you bring to

the classroom? What are your strengths/weaknesses? What are your goals? What is your philosophy of education? What are your accomplishments?

All in all, what do they look for?

Appearance Voice – pitch, speed, volume Enthusiasm Emotional stability Common sense Integrity Personality

All in all, what do they look for? (cont’d)

Use of the English language Knowledge of the teaching field Attitude toward students Ability to express ideas Classroom management Cooperation/team player

The interview

Dress appropriately/professionally Bring extra copies of your resume Turn off your cell phone Arrive ten minutes early Maintain eye contact Understand the question before

answering Don’t bring up salary

Always ask questions

Bring a list of questions to the interview

If the questions have been answered during the interview, you can ask for clarification

Show the interviewer you have done your homework

Some questions to ask Ask for a copy of the school’s progress

report What are the district goals? What are the school’s goals? What level of support will I receive as a new

teacher? What kind of technical knowledge is

necessary to teach in your district?

Some questions to ask Why would I want to work in your district? What are you looking for in the teacher you

hire for this position? When will I hear back from you? When may I contact you about your

decision? Is there any other information you need

from me to help you in your hiring decision?

Illegal questions

Questions to do with: ethnic/cultural background marital status number of children religion health

Three ways to handleillegal questions

Get mad and storm out of the room Tell the interviewer he/she just asked

you an illegal question and then go on with the interview

Answer the question...or the intent

Final thoughts

Keep a record of what occurred in the interview

Critique yourself after the interview Always send a thank-you letter