Interview tips for teaching job?

Miyazaki · 30-01-2006, 10:37 PM

So I have my first (and hopefully last) interview for a teaching position as an NQT (newly qualified teacher) on Wednesday and I am quite nervous! It is a mixed 11-16 year old comprehensive in a suburban area, with an overal rating of 2 from ofsted.

I am staying overnight as it is quite a drive, filling in the expenses form alone was a new and complicated experience by itself!

The process consists of an hour lesson, and those selected will go on to the interview itself. I have spent about 7 hours so far preparing resources for a one hour lesson!

I have been told what to expect, what questions to ask, by my college tutor. I have also had a peruse of the ofsted report and feel that I can ask a couple of questions on that.

I have never been to an interview for a proper job before, just supermarket/off-license work and feel like I need some advice from some seasoned professionals out there!

What else do I need to consider?

booyaka · 30-01-2006, 10:43 PM

Good to see your staying over as i suggested previously.

Small things like a good breakfast in the morning - not a fry up, but good cereal and some liquids (OJ water etc)

Usual things like make sure you leave on time to get there. If staying over the night before i would advise checking out the travel time from your stayover to your invterview place etc the night before.

At the actual day, remember you only get one chance to sell yourself to the interviewer/assessor. Make the most of it. If you come out and can honestly say that you did the best you could, then great, even if you don't get the job.

Never leave an interview thinking "should have done this or that"

Also ask questions about the school, area etc, look like your interested in the job etc.

Most of all give it your best shot - if it is your first interview for a while or ever, try and not be nervous (difficult, i know) but just go in there and give it 100%

Good luck and i'm sure you'll be fine!!

Lex · 30-01-2006, 11:12 PM

Don't swear at any of the children. Don't hit any of the children. Don't accidently make any double entendres and start giggling to yourself. Have fun, and remember, if it all goes horribly wrong, McDonalds are always looking for graduates to wipe their tables

mcfarfs · 30-01-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex

Don't swear at any of the children. Don't hit any of the children. Don't accidently make any double entendres and start giggling to yourself. Have fun, and remember, if it all goes horribly wrong, McDonalds are always looking for graduates to wipe their tables

Sound advice that...

Make sure you use a decent deodrant!

overkill · 31-01-2006, 12:14 AM

Check out the schools website Guru. Familiarise yourself with the locations problems/positives. Make sure you are ready with a 'contribution' you can make (school website or blurb can help here). Make sure you're up to date with events in the education World (you should be, being an NQT!) and be ready to be probed on possible impacts these may have. Be careful not to be drawn politicaly. A board tried to draw me on strikes a while back. Sidestep - politely.

Lastly, don't get too down if it doesn't work out. There are plenty of jobs in the secondary (unlike primary) sector and I don't doubt you will get one in double quick time. As such you can afford to sell yourself, without the tension of everything riding on this one interview.

Most important of all - do yourself justice.

Good luck, I hope you get it, and I'm sure you'll do well.

The Dude · 31-01-2006, 1:17 AM

to add onto the other wise words here.. on the personal side just be your normal self as much as you can, don't try too hard to be what you think they want, as you're only gonna be guessing..

do some research as Overkill says, always priceless, and beforehand don't change your lifestyle in any big way just because

you've got an interview...

make some effort obviously, but just not too much effort.

Miyazaki · 31-01-2006, 7:58 AM

Thanks everyone.

It was funny how on my interview letter they said I should: "ensure a well paced lesson with room for individual progression." Its funny because that is almost word-for-word what the ofsted report said the school needs to do to improve.

The ofsted said they need to develop ICT skills, as well as cross-curricular ICT, so I will try to sell myself from that perspective as well.

I'll let you know how it all goes when I return tomorrow evening!

mh123 · 31-01-2006, 9:28 AM

You will probably come across three 'confidence-knockers' that you weren't expecting... forewarned is forearmed as they say so here goes...

... the first will be the fact that you will likely start off in a room with all the other interviewees for the same, and maybe other, positions. Don't let this come as a surprise or shock! Most schools will interview a maximum of 3 or 4 for a specific role, so if there are LOTS of besuited people around then they're probably recruiting for more than one post.

... second will be that if you make it past the sample lesson and they ask you to stay for the formal interview, you may well be invited to lunch with the other successful candidates and one or two staff, possibly including the head. Use this opportunity to ask less formal questions ("what's it like to work here" type stuff) and make yourself look interesting from a social point of view.

... third - the interview itself will probably be attended by at least three people - the subject head, a deputy head (or maybe even the headmaster), and at least one governor. This can be daunting when you walk into a room and see them all lined up behind a bench!

Most of all, go in there, be yourself, tell no lies, admit if you are nervous, look interested, take notes, nod and 'umm-arrh' when being talked at and GOOD LUCK.

Miyazaki · 31-01-2006, 10:16 AM

I should take notes? That is interesting, all I have been told is to make sure I don't take anything into the interview so I don't look cluttered. What could I take notes on exactly?

Thanks for the tips though!

Mr.D · 31-01-2006, 11:23 AM

If you are eating sweets make sure you bring enough for everyone.

stealther · 31-01-2006, 11:32 AM

Best of luck mate.
Wheres the school then?

BiggieBig · 31-01-2006, 11:45 AM

Been working for about 8 years and i'm about to start my 5th work place.

Work in IT consultancy so even when I get a job I sometimes need to go to client interviews to secure my self a project.

I'm not gonna give you any specific tips but I'll try and advise on your mindset.

1) Interviews are a skill that is build up over practice. The more interviews you attend the more natural you become.

Rule: Build your interview skills

2) It can take up to 2/3 interviews to get into the full swing of things especially if it's been a while since you've been to an interview.

Rule: The first one may just be a practice run.

3) Don't go to an interview thinking I must get this job or else it's all over. This will only make you nervous try to relax and enjoy the experience. A good candidate should be a little cocky "Why should I offer my services to you? I’m good what can you offer me ?" you obviously don't say all this but just keep it in your mind.

Rule: Don't make your self nervous by applying too much pressure

4) Everyone knows first\last impressions count so make an extra effort to be your normal social able self during this period of the interview. I.e. if the interviewee is quite informal you may want to talk about another social able subject or even crack a little joke. This shows you have a personality.

Rule: Show you have a personality.

5) Let them hear what they want to hear. e.g. If your job involves travelling. Say you like to travel the country you'd enjoy the dynamics of the job etc. You may not agree but they may make an offer, then the balls in your court.

Rule: Always try and fit the role

6) Be confident?, firm handshake/Talk at descent pitch/Look in the eyes etc.

Rule: Be confident?