Advice for your first interview

Wasicsko’s Ten Rules for a Good Interview

Okay, you have reached the final “gate” required to enter the teaching profession–the interview. Congratulations!  The interview can seem daunting and even scary but know that you were well prepared by the knowledge, skills, and dispositions you have mastered throughout your program at Northern Kentucky University.

The first thing to remember is that you are not expected to be an expert when you have just completed your teacher preparation program. The interviewers are looking for potential, energy, and optimism. Fortunately, you have all of that. Probably the most important advice for interviewing is to be confident (but not cocky) and BE YOURSELF!

Preparing for the Interview

#1. Do your homework – Know everything about the school, district, and students in the school in which you will interview. At the very least read everything you can find on the web about the school–motto, school colors (you might even want wear the colors but be subtle), mascot, school and district improvement plans, goals and current happenings in the school. In your research be sure to include current initiatives in play at the school. These could be topics such as: RTI, 21st Century Skills, Springboard, Read 180, Compass (Explore, Plan, ACT), Unbridled Learning, Common Core, formative assessment, end of course assessment, daily assessment strategies.  There may be terms you didn’t covered in your preparation programs but you did have the general concepts albeit by generic names.

#2. Take your time filling out all application materials – Use your best professional writing skills to fill out the applications.. Most applications today are electronic. When possible, use your word processor to carefully answer all questions (use spell check, grammar check) then cut and paste the answers in the appropriate box on the form. Ask your friends and family to review your answers then ask, “Does this sound like me?” “Would my answers make you want to interview me?” Your application creates your first impression and will either get you an interview or get you passed over.

#3. Practice, practice, practice – Get with a good friend to practice answers to possible interview questions. Consider taping yourself so you can hear and see yourself but don’t over stress about it and don’t be too self-critical. Remember you wouldn’t have made it this far if you weren’t good at presentations. Practice with these sample questions. Don’t try to memorize your answers but do try to think of a personal example that fits each one.

Tell about a teaching situation that went well and you feel good about.

Tell about a situation in which you helped someone learn a significant lesson.

Tell about working with a student very different than you.

How will you engage students who are unmotivated or several years behind?

What will you be doing in 5 years if your life works out the best you can imaging and what contribution will you have made in students’ lives?

What will be your major contribution to students?

How will you use assessment to better inform your teaching?

How do you know your students are experiencing significant learning?

How do you feel about home visits OR how will you engage parents/caregivers in the education of the student(s)?

Why did you choose to be a teacher?

What are three characteristics of your favorite teacher? What evidence do you have that you share these characteristics?

How would you use social media in school?

What is your responsibility to teach literacy?

#4. Do a drive by – Be sure you know where the school is, what kind of neighborhood, how long it will likely take you to get there and where to park when you arrive. Plan to be there 20 minutes early. Stress goes up tremendously when you have to rush or are late.

#5. Relax – Plan your interview preparation time so that you will feel as ready as possible by 5PM on the evening before the interview then kick back for the evening. Have a nice meal, relax, read a book or watch an inspirational movie, then get to bed early. Good movie choices include October Sky, Invictus, Finding Forester, Renaissance Man, The Ron Clark Story, A Family Thing, Stand and Deliver, Whale Rider or your favorite movie that makes you feel hopeful, inspired and motivated.

The Day of the Interview

#6. Feed your body and your psyche – Be sure you have eaten a good, healthy meal that settles well with you. That means a good balance of foods that sustain the energy level—1/3 each of protein, fruit and vegetables, grains—and not quick up and down, high glycemic foods—sugary, sweet, junk food. Take an energy bar and bottle of water in case you need something just before you go in to the school. Don’t over eat beforehand or be hungry when you arrive. If you need a quick pick-me-up immediately before, a square of dark chocolate is a good choice. Psych yourself up using the power of mirror neurons and power-posing. This may sound silly but there is good evidence that smiling at yourself in a mirror, stretching out into a “power pose” and taking a “victory stance” like a gold metal Olympic athlete to decreases stress hormones and increases adrenalin.  The interviewers will see you as more capable and more successful. Doing these small things just before the interview, even if you feel scared or threatened, significantly increase your perceived presence.

#7. Dress for success- A person will jump to 20 conclusions about you within the first minute of meeting you. The simple rule is: look like a teacher, act like a teacher, smell like a teacher. Don’t forget that the most important thing to wear is a smile.

The Interview – get there 20 minutes early

#8. Be upbeat, smile, and think positive thoughts – remember the effect of mirror neurons and high, positive expectations. Look them in the eye and smile. The interviewers are people just like you. Pretend that they are friends of yours and just be yourself.

#9. See the interview as a dialogue – Try to make the interview a two-way conversation in which you don’t speak the whole time (60-40% is good). Don’t be long winded – answer the questions succinctly, with enthusiasm and with a personal example if possible. Don’t be surprised if you end up in a group interview. There are many more applicants right now than there are positions. If you end up in a group interview, don’t think that you have to compete with the others.  You fare better if you show you can be supportive and respectful of the others in the group but be sure to express yourself and take all of your opportunities to speak. Be prepared to ask questions and have at least few good ones ready (e.g. What characteristics are you looking for in new teacher who will fit well within your school culture? What do you think is the most important characteristic for a teacher you want in your school? I’m planning on growing into a great teacher, what kind of mentoring or assistance do you have for new teachers?)

#10. Getting your head in the right place – Never assume that this interview will be the only one or even the best fit for you. Have a little faith that things work the way they are supposed to. If the job is the right one for you, you will get it. If not, there is another one coming your way. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t land the first or even the second job you apply for. These are tough times but there will always be room for a good teacher. Expect that you will have to go to 3-8 interviews before you are successful. That is about the average these days.

Try to have fun – Try to take the interview seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously. It is all part of the learning experience. When the interview is over focus on all the parts that went well and treat yourself to something special. You did a good job!

Good luck!