interviewing 101
DESCRIPTION
This session will cover the basics of interviewing and how to set yourself apart from other teacher candidates. Learn great interviewing techniques through role-playing and hands-on activities that will help you land that job!TRANSCRIPT
Interviewing 101:Tips and Strategies for Landing that Job
Presented by: Bethany Bagley
College of Education Career Consultant
Making the Grade in YOUR Job Search:
A Teacher’s Guide to Career Success
Interviewing Fundamental
s
On average, it takes an interviewer
less than 4 minutes to make a decision about a candidate.
In 95% of cases the decision that is
made in the first few minutes did not
change by the end
of the interview.
Interviewing Fundamentals: What do School Administrators Look for?
Content (WHAT you say): Clearly articulate career goals Demonstrate knowledge of profession Use specific examples, success stories Prepare great questions to ask
Style (HOW you say it): Delivery and mannerisms First impressions
How to Prepare
Know yourselfKnow the schoolKnow the fit
How to Prepare
Know Yourself:Be Able to Identify & Market your Skills
Communication Leadership Technology Innovative Teamwork
Problem-solver Organizational Vision/Goal Oriented Motivation/Initiative Creativity
Know the School: Resources for Research
GA Dept. of Education School District Website Community Information Volunteering/
Networking Informational Interviews Internet Search
Know the School: Resources for Research
Demographics
Mission
Belief Statements Instructional
Departments
Vision
Accomplishments
Future Goals
Making a Successful 1st Impression
Let’s Start with the Basics:
S.E.N.T.SmileEye ContactNameTouchHandshake
Measures of Evaluation:First Impressions
Posture / Body Language
Enthusiasm & Energy
Professional Attire
More than 70% of your first impression
is based on appearance.
Based on 1st impression, who would you buy a car from:
This guy? This guy?
Based on 1st impression, who would you hire?
Candidate A: Candidate B:
Candidate A: Candidate B:
Professional Attire:
Women Professional blouse Business suit
(slacks/dress/skirt) Closed-toed dress shoes Conservative jewelry Conservative hairstyle Subtle perfume or none
Men Professional business
suit White button down
shirt (or other muted colors)
Conservative tie Dark slacks Dark dress shoes Conservative hairstyle
Professional Attire: Dress for Success
Business Professional vs. Business Casual
Suit Colors: Black, Navy, Charcoal Grey
Questions to Expect
Traditional Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself. What are your career goals? What are your strengths (and
weaknesses)? How did you choose UGA? Your major? Why should we hire you?
Keep answer under 2 minutes.
Answers:
How to Answer Questions
Give specific past examples/situations that reflect your accomplishments or portray you in a positive light
Provide examples of your greatest strengths and skill set
Research the district and school
Behavioral-Based Questions
Describe a time when…. Tell me about a time when… Give me an example when…
How to Answer
?
STAR Approach
S- Describe the situation in which you were involved.T- Describe the task to be performed.A- What action did you take?R- What was the result of your action?
S T
R A
Teaching-Specific Questions Why do you want to teach?
What can you contribute to our school? Why do you think you will be a successful teacher? What are the qualities of an excellent teacher?
Which of these qualities do you have? Describe your student teaching experience. What
was your biggest problem? How did you resolve it? How do you handle curricular content in classes
with many levels of ability? What have you learned from your student teaching
experience? What do you believe your role and obligations to
be toward other faculty?
Teaching-Specific Questions What techniques do you use in developing rapport with
students? What procedures work best for you in maintaining discipline? How would you individualize instruction in your classroom? Describe the role of the teacher in the learning process. What do you consider to be an ideal learning environment? How do you feel about team teaching? Why did you choose your particular area of preparation? What is the role of the school system in today’s society? What grade level do you feel most competent teaching?
Why? What out-of-school experiences have you had working with
children? What would you do if....? (hypothetical situations in the
classroom)
Let’s Practice
Tell me about a course, work experience, or extracurricular activity in which you had to
work closely with others. How did it go? How did you
overcome any difficulties?
What is your greatest strength
and weakness?
Tell me about the most challenging experience you
had during student teaching? What did you learn because
of that experience?
Tell me about a time when you exceeded your title’s expectation to complete a
job or task.
Questions to Ask and NOT to
Ask
Questions to Ask Description of school district as per staff
size, enrollment, etc. Professional growth requirements in the
district, i.e., continuing education hours. How are parental contacts handled? How active is the P.T.O.? What does P.T.O.
spend money on? How do teachers handle needs from P.T.O.? Does P.T.O. have a major project each year?
What extra duties are expected of teachers (i.e., bus duty, car duty, lunch duty, etc.)?
Are there any new “programs” (school-wide or grade-level) that are new or unique to the school? How long have they been in place? Are any being looked at as future possibilities?
When can I expect to hear from you?
Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices
Race Color Religion Sex (including
pregnancy)
National Origin Age (40 or older) Disability Genetic
information
How to Conclude the Interview
How to Conclude the Interview
Reiterate your interest in the school
Determine appropriate follow-up Get contact information from
interviewers Write thank-you notes within 24
hours Formal vs. Informal
(fine stationary vs. email) Remind administrators of
conversation highlights
Thank you!
Interviewing Tips
School Districts Speak Out!What is the biggest no-no in an interview? “apathy, lack of flexibility” “Not being professional in every way - dress, manner,
presentation, knowledge.” “Not dressing appropriately, looking around for others in the
room while an interviewer is talking to them, and having a sloppy copy of their resume. You are looking for the small things knowing that if they take care of the small things, they will take care of the larger issues they will face on the job.”
“Poor dress or language skills” “To show up late and/or unprepared”
1. Research the school and the program.2. Arrive 10-15 minutes early.3. Dress for success.4. Have a firm handshake and display confidence. 5. Use body language to show interest.6. Listen.7. Bring extra copies of your resume.8. Have questions prepared ahead of time.9. Ask about the next step in the process. 10.Thank the interviewers and follow-up with thank-you
notes/emails to each interviewer.
TOP 10 INTERVIEW TIPS
Get Practice!
Schedule an appointment for a mock interview
Call 706.542.3375
www.career.uga.edu
QUESTIONS?
Come visit me at the Career Center!
To make an appointment call 706-
542-3375OR
Visit Satellite Hours in Aderhold 124N every
Tuesday from 3:00pm-5:00pm
OR Visit Walk-Ins HoursAvailable everyday in
Clark Howell Hall from 12:00pm-2:00pm