Interview Preparation

Top Tips for Interview Day

1. Dress formally in a suit regardless - first impressions count!
2. Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time.
3. Listen carefully to all questions and take your time to respond
4. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer.
5. Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.
6. Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
7. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
8. Ask insightful questions as you tour the school and during the interview
9. Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible
10. Don't be afraid to repeat information that is in your CV/application
11. Assume that the panel know more than you do, so don't talk down to them
12. Communicate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner
13. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on difficult questions asked
14. Prepare an interactive, fun and engaging lesson - don't think you can "wing it" on the day, you can't!
15. Always sound positive and enthusiastic about your teaching but also about life in general.
16. Expect a curve ball - no matter how much you prepare to ensure this does not happen, it can, so keep your head clear and compose your response in a professional manner
17. Be honest and be yourself.

Interview DON'Ts

1. Don't be late!
2. Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
3. Don't act negatively or make negative comments about anything.
4. Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
5. Don't treat the interview casually, as if this is just practice; you run the risk of insulting the interviewer and in the education world, word gets around.
6. Don't give the impression that geographic location is the only reason you applied.
7. Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. Know your answers!
8. Don't slouch in your chair, show an attentive seating position.
9. Don't chew gum
10. Don't allow your mobile phone to sound during the interview. Better still, don't take a phone through the school gates.
11. Don't take your parents, your pet, spouse, fiancé, friends or enemies to an interview. It is just not right!

Top Questions that a School is likely to ask you at Interview

1. Why have you applied for this position?
2. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to become a teacher?
3. Why do you want to work at this school? What is your impression of the school do far?
4. The school is part of the community. How would you plan to integrate this community and all it has to offer into your teaching?
5. What unique qualities can you bring to the school?
6. What are your particular strengths as a teacher? (Weak areas too)
7. Provide examples of the Best / Worst lessons you have taught
8. How do you ensure your students are progressing and how do you evaluate and monitor this progress throughout the year?
9. How do you cater for different abilities and learning styles in your classroom?
10. What do you think it takes to be an outstanding teacher?
11. Can you give me an example of a classroom management issue you have experienced and explain how you dealt with the issue
12. How would you cope with a particularly difficult class or a class that has lost interest in your subject?
13. How do you integrate ICT into your lessons?
14. How would you deal with a hostile or aggressive parent?
15. Are there any areas that you would consider taking on extra responsibility?
16. What qualities do you have that make you a good team player?
17. How would you like to see your career develop?

Top questions for YOU to ask at face-to-face interview

1. What makes this school unique or different from others in this area? Or what makes you proud of this school?
2. What future changes do you see for this school?
3. What are you ambitions for this school?
4. What do you see as the biggest areas that need improvement?
5. What are the opportunities for professional development?
6. What type of evaluation processes or systems do you use with teachers? Do you have a whole school system?
7. I have developed what I feel are some effective methods in my student teaching such as................ Are those techniques I could bring to my classroom if hired?
8. What do you expect of teachers regarding involvement in extracurricular activities? And are there opportunities for involvement next year?
9. What are the chances of collaboration with other teachers?
10. What after school activities do you currently run and what are the procedures for starting a new activity?
11. Today I have heard this mentioned a number of times, could you please explain to me in greater detail what this is and how it will help better the school?
12. Do you have a mentor program for first year teachers?
13. How does my induction year actually operate at this school?
14. Do you have a school discipline management system in place? How does it work on a practical level?
15. If I had an emergency in my classroom, what procedures are in place to support me in my classroom?
16. How involved are parents in this school?
17. How would you describe the school's relationship with the community?
18. How do you structure you performance management?
19. How often can I expect to have colleagues and supervisors supervising my lessons? Is these a set procedure for feedback?
20. How does the school community feel about school excursions?
21. What are the procedures to applying for a school excursion?
22. What do I do if I am having issues with particular students? Who do I seek assistance from?