10 Best Interview Tips for Teachers
It doesn’t matter what you teach, but how you teach it. Whether you’re teaching math, English or science, the way you present content is just as important as the content itself. This is especially true when you’re preparing for an interview, which can make or break a teacher’s career.
Why are interviews important for teachers?
Teachers are consistently interacting with their students and other teachers throughout most of their day, so the people who work with them want to know how well you interact with others. It’s important to show them you can be pleasant and friendly to those who come into contact with your students throughout the school year.
Related is used to describe items that are similar in some way. It can mean that they are related in subject, or that they share some feature. If a book is related to a movie, it means they are similar in genre. Related also means that they share at least one feature.
10 Teacher interview tips
The best way to get hired at a school is to share your enthusiasm for your prospective role. This is even more true in the case of a school principal. You need to show your eagerness to teach and your ability to inspire.
1. Research the institution
You’ll need to find out if there are any special policies and requirements the institution has that will impact your work and the students you’re teaching. Are there certain materials that you can’t use? What kind of technology are they using? Is there a dress code for teachers, and how strict is it? Will they expect you to wear a suit, or is business casual the preferred attire? Some institutions even require faculty members to have a certain level of education or certification.
2. Convey your passion for teaching and students
The best advice I can offer you is to convey your passion for teaching and your students. It’s not enough to just teach, but also to show how much you care about them. If you are passionate about what you’re teaching, the class will feel more like an extension of you. They will learn from you because they’ll see you’re excited about what you’re teaching. If you are passionate, they will respond positively to you and will want to learn more.
3. Willingness to learn
If you want to be a better teacher, you need to let your students know that you are willing to learn and improve. You can start by asking questions in class that show your students how much you value their feedback and want to learn from them. Your students will appreciate it. But don’t stop there. Use the feedback they give you to guide you towards improving your teaching skills.
Also, You need to be ready to answer yes to a number of questions when asked by a potential employer about your skills and experience. This includes answers to questions like: Are you willing to learn? Do you want to grow in your career? Do you think you can be a team player?
4. Share positive stories
It can be easy to become so accustomed to hearing about the negative experiences in life that you forget to celebrate the successes. However, when sharing these moments with others, it’s important to remember that not all of our interactions are going to go exactly how we hope. By sharing the positive side of your life, you’re reminding everyone else that the glass is half-full, not half-empty. This is what a teacher interview is all about — sharing the positive stories from the past and helping others to feel motivated to strive for better things in the future.
5. Smile & Be positive during the entire interview
I find that being positive all the time is something that people struggle with. Some are afraid to ask questions because they think that if they don’t they will appear rude. This isn’t the case. The more a teacher is polite during a job interview, the more likely they are to get hired. The interviewer might ask, “Why should we hire you? What makes you different from other applicants?” Be prepared to give an answer that showcases how you are the right person for the job.
6. It’s a good idea to tell stories about challenges and successes
So, if you are a teacher, how do you use storytelling to connect with your students? Here are some questions to ask yourself when planning your lesson, and then answer them in order to tell a story: How can I share an example of my own experience with a specific skill? How can I use an example from one of my students’ or students’ experiences to show a concept? What is a good way to frame the problem of learning a new skill?
7. Nod regularly and remain aware of your body language
You can’t fake being a teacher—you just have to be one. That said, you can fake being a teacher, but if you want to really sell yourself as the right fit for the job, you have to be a genuine and genuine teacher. This means that you have to be an engaged listener, and nod or smile when people are talking. A professor at Harvard Business School has studied teachers for his book, The Way of the Teacher. To make this look natural, you should sit up straight and not cross your legs.
8. Prepare a portfolio of your past teaching achievements and experience
If you are a teacher, you will have an opportunity to showcase your teaching skills and experience in the interview. So, you should have a portfolio of your past work. You can include a picture of yourself with your students, pictures of the work you have done with your students, a resume, and even an example of your work as a teacher. This portfolio should show the potential employer that you are ready to teach the class and can provide a positive example of what you are like as a teacher.
9. Tell the interviewers about yourself
The interviewer is interested in you because you’re a potential candidate, so if they ask you about your own life, share a little bit about your interests and hobbies. You’ll appear more genuine, and will be more interesting.
10. Dress professionally
When you interview for a position as a teacher, don’t dress up too much or too casually. While a nice suit might be acceptable in a meeting with your district administrators or a dean, a casual t-shirt with jeans and flip-flops might not be appropriate on your first day of teaching at a high school or middle school. Teachers are judged by how they present themselves and your first impression should be that you care about your job and the students in your charge.
