Interview Tips for Teachers

Ian Barrett — Sat, 02 May 2009 08:34:07 +0000

Make sure you do your research beforehand and find out about the school, the local community and social issues. Local Authority websites provide latest Ofsted reports, performance statistics and other background information.
Always try to visit the school before the interview to have a look round. You may see something you can talk about at the interview, and it helps break the ice.
Read any educational supplements/papers beforehand and find out about current issues in education. There are always certain key issues in the news that you might be asked about. The BBC Education website and Teachers TV website are very useful.
Make sure you are familiar with current government initiatives and frameworks such as Every Child Matters, the EYFS, and the new proposals for the primary curriculum.
Before you go to the interview, make a bullet point list of your strengths and the reasons you are particularly suited to the job. Reading it before you go in will calm your nerves and boost your confidence.
Have an outline of an activity/topic you were involved in at school that was very successful.
Think of various scenario cases related to EAL, SEN and G&T children. Dealing with behaviour issues, parents and school staff are popular topics too. You will be expected to talk about your own experiences.
Take a list of questions in with you. They will always ask for questions at the end. Have a notepad and pen with you. You are perfectly entitled to take time to jot some things down before responding to a question.
Take a portfolio of work with you. This could include photographs, lesson plans, ideas for rewards you use etc. Even if you can’t use anything to help illustrate an answer, you can give the panel an option to look through it at the end.
If you suffer from very serious nerves, you could consider seeing a hypnotherapist – they can be very effective.
Put the interview into perspective. The less you ‘care’ about it, the easier it is to endure with steady nerves, so tell yourself that the job is not that important.
Using a mantra is a really good idea. While travelling to the interview, choose a powerful statement to repeat over and over. I am the best person for the job/I am calm and confident, etc.
Always smile and make eye contact with the interview panel early on. They will smile back and that will put you at ease.
Ask for a glass of water. Take a sip when you’ve been asked a difficult question – this gives you valuable thinking time.
Be aware of your body language and the way you are sitting. Be as upright as possible and keep your head high.
Remember, if at first you don’t succeed then try try again. As unpleasant as they are, interviews really do get easier over time, so the more you do the less nervous (eventually) you will be.

Good luck.

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Interview Tips for Teachers