Teaching position interviews: Be prepared!

EMU Career Services can get you on the right track with specific information for education majors when it comes to job hunting, interviewing, resumes and more. Call 432-4131 or stop by the center on the second floor of the University Commons.

Should you consider a teaching career?
The interview: What to wear
The interview: Before and during
Typical questions asked of teaching position applicants
Tips for the interview | After the interview
Teacher job search sites | EMU employment opportunities listing

What to wear check list for men:

• pressed long-sleeved cotton shirt
• avoid a flashy or gimmicky tie; make sure the knot is neat and the tie comes to the top of your belt or slacks
• conservative colored jacket, suit or sweater (teachers dress a bit more informally than accountants; consider the type of business or organization).
• dress slacks
• socks to match slacks or shoes and long enough so skin doesn't show when you cross your legs
• dark shoes (no sandals or tennis shoes)
• regarding facial hair...take your chances on this one
• earring? make it a stud if at all

Resources available in Career Services: a video on Men's style and the books Red socks con't work, Attention to detail: A gentleman's guide to professional appearance and conduct.

What to wear check list for women:

• tailored-style dress or two-piece ensemble with skirt (no frilly, shiny party fabrics)
• do not try to make a cool fashion statement in this serious setting
• shoes -- 2" heels or under, low- to medium-heeled pump (a pump is all enclosed)
• nylons - unpatterned (carry an extra pair)
• if your hair is longer than shoulder length, a more professional image is conveyed if the hair is tied back or up or contained in some way
• avoid too much make up, very long fingernails and sexy, revealing clothes

Resources available in Career Services: Mastering your professional image, Dressing smart in the new millennium and 110 mistakes working women make and how to avoid them

For everyone:

• be squeaky clean from the inside out including underwear
• smile! Everyone is more attractive with a smile
• clean your glasses
• avoid heavy after shave/perfume, distracting jewelry (nothing noisy; avoid swinging earrings or too many rings)
• avoid anything that takes the focus away from your skills and what you have to say
• dress in such a way that makes you feel confident, professional and attractive. If you look good, you feel good. Although educators dress more casually than those on Wall Street you will want to have a professional image. back to top

The Interview

Before the interview

• Practice hearing yourself answer questions aloud. Use tape recorder, video camera or friend.
• Plan what you will wear so that the outfit is clean, pressed and shoes are polished on interview day.
• Know where, what time and with whom your interview will be conducted. Make a trial drive to the location to determine where you will park and how long it will take to get there.
• Read printed information about the school district, company or organization.
• Gather the paperwork you choose to take with you, such as extra copies of your resume, portfolio, a pen and small note pad.
• On the way to the interview room, treat everyone you meet as though that person were making the hiring decision.
• Arrive about 5 to 10 minutes before the interview (in time to have a bathroom check). Do not chew gum, smoke or drink a stimulant that might make you hyper. Breath. Focus. Imagine yourself having a calm two-way conversation. back to top

During the interview

• Carry "stuff" in your left hand so that you can shake hands with your right hand.
• Refer to the interviewer as Mr. or Ms., even if the person says, "Hi, I am Jeb Sampson."
• Wait until invited to sit down.
• Choose a chair that is not directly across from the interviewer, if possible.
• When you are listening make strong eye contact; when you are speaking it may not be as direct.
• Don't stare. Avoid looking around too much at personal things on desks and walls.
• Don't pick up or read anything on the interviewers desk; that is personal space.
• Listen to the question. Answer what is being asked. Stay focused. Most interviewees report talking about 50 to 74 percent of the time.
• Have ready a few questions of your own. Use a note card if necessary. Read the literature so that you don't ask something that is already covered.
• Watch for signs that the interview is ending. Summarize why you would like and could do this job. Thank the interviewer for considering your qualifications. back to top

 

Typical questions asked of teaching position applicants

Top ten interview topics

Classroom management * student teaching * strengths weaknesses * what if * teaching philosophy * future plans * teaching style * motivational theories * lesson design

Let me know you

• Tell me about yourself.
• How would your friends describe you?
• Tell us about yourself in relation to your major.
• Describe yourself using five adjectives.
• If we asked your college professor to describe you, what would s/he say?
• What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
• If I didn't like you, what would be a likely reason?
• In what have you been criticized?
• What are you willing or able to teach?
• What is your preferred grade?
• Why do you want to be a teacher?
• What animal would you become if you could?
• What could I do to ruffle your feathers?
• When exams and papers pile up, what do you do? (How do you handle pressure?)
• How did you feel when you took a stand on an issue?
• What have you read recently? back to top

Lesson design/subject knowledge

• How would you set up a program in your major teaching area?
• Describe in detail a lesson that you taught
• What subjects have you taught?
• What is your favorite subject to teach?
• What is a good (reading ) lesson?
• Kindergarten -- Why do we have it and what should be taught?
• What do you know about different...math...reading...programs?
• What is the most creative unit or lesson you prepared?
• Compare a math lesson for 3rd and 7th grades.
• English -- Why are you still teaching diagramming?
• You have 30 minutes in 5th grade, tell me about a lesson you would teach. How would you start and end? What is the framework you would use? What do you consider to be some of the most worthwhile innovations presently taking place in your subject or grade? back to top

Classroom management

• Tell me of a time when you had to bend the rules?
• Are you patient?
• Do you want students to like you?
• How do you handle discipline in your classroom?
• What If....? real life situations
• What two rules would you have if you could only choose two.
• Rate yourself as a disciplinarian.
• What is involved in good discipline?
• On the first day of school what will you tell your students? What are your expectations?
• How do you establish authority when you enter a classroom? What are your key rules? How do you feel about noise in the classroom?
• What contribution do you expect to make to the lives of your students?
• How successful have you been in the area of classroom discipline?
• What type of atmosphere would you attempt to establish in your classroom?
• If I would visit your classroom, what would I see?
• Describe a difficult student and what you did to help him/her. back to top

Future plans

• What will you be doing in five years?

Teamwork

• How could you involve parents in the learning process?
• Define the role of the principal. How could I as a principal assist you?
• How do you prefer to group students?
• Tell me about a situation when you had to team with other individuals?

Professional Knowledge

• Be knowledgeable of instructional methods, your specific discipline and educational issues.
• What is reinforcement theory? integrated learning? any other key phrases...
• What does research say is effective instruction? What is important in education? What is your philosophy of education? (often situational)
• What do you know about....?(current ideas, methods, teaching strategies)
• What are some essentials of good teachers? What characteristic is the most essential quality for every good teacher? Define LD/MR.
• Word association exercise. back to top

Assessment

• What do you know about assessment? Have you had any experience teaching in an inclusion model? By whose standards will you measure your success? How do you grade? What goes into a grade?

Student teaching

• What was your greatest disappointment in student teaching? What would you consider the high point of student teaching? What did you most like/dislike about your student teaching? What was your most creative teaching project? What was you biggest problem during student teaching?

Summary

• To sum it up, why do you think you should be hired for this teaching position?
• Why do you want to teach in...? back to top

On-site writing sample question

• At the end of your first year, how will you measure success? with parents, co-workers, students?
• What qualitiees will you bring to our school system?

Questions for you to ask:

• What would a typical day be like for my position?
• What programs are in place to support new teachers?
• How long does the average teacher stay in this school district?
• How are evaluations done and how often?
• Time line for a hiring decision….What happens next? When should you check back?
• Summarize your interest. "I would be happy to become a part of… I know I could…." Thank you Ms….. Shake hands. back to top

 

Tips for interviews:

• There are no right and wrong responses to questions.
• You are NOT on trial. . .this is a two-way conversation to determine a mutual fit. Is this the best environment for you?
• Be real. Don't be afraid to show enthusiasm. Do you have a sense of humor? Do you communicate well?
• Avoid flippant statements. Pause, take a moment to formulate an answer. Listen. Take a deep breath and think about your answer. Silence is OK.
• Concentrate more on what is being asked than on what your answer will be.
• Ask for additional information if the vocabulary hides the question's clarity.
• Be positive. Avoid criticism of anyone. Tell what you learned from both good and bad experiences.
• Be enthusiastic and poised. Sound like you want this work.
• This is a two-way decision. Employers are much more eager to hire people who want this job, here in this place, and who show enthusiasm for doing so.
• Practice interviews are very useful. Career Services will do mock video taped interviews by appointment. Only you will see the video. This is a safe supportive way to get practice.
• Must do: get acquainted with all those Career Services resources that are especially useful to you such as addresses, applications, sample resumes and cover letter, books on interviewing, job ideas and more back to top

After the interview

• Remember to thank the administrative/receptionist as you leave. Be certain you have the proper spelling and title of the person who interviewed you.
• Within 48 hours, type a thank you note on proper business paper, hand write a note on a blank greeting card or e-mail a message to the interviewer.
• Assess your performance during the interview. Look up terms you didn't know. Congratulate yourself for the good thinking you did. Learn. Every time you have an interview you get better and more relaxed.
• VERY IMPORTANT: Continue to follow up periodically. Do you want this job? How does the organization know that you are still interested and still available? Some people send an application packet and think that if the receiver sees anything they like, they will call. You take the initiative. back to top