Today I was privileged to be a part of preparing teacher candidates to enter the great calling we refer to as public education. Today was one of the teacher return days for all of the teacher candidates (student teachers) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU-Go Dawgs!). For this day, each candidate participates in a mock interview. After the interview they are free to work through a career fair and meet representatives from several districts across the state & even some from out of state.
I think it is great to give students this experience. As they complete the interviews with a group of three or four administrators from area schools, they get feedback that will further prepare them for real interviews.
I admit, my participation in this event is a bit selfish. Yes I am honored to get to assist my alma mater, but I am also looking for prospects. I get the opportunity to gauge some of these candidates before they have learned many of the tricks of interviews & before they have had the opportunity to polish their presentation. This is like watching the dress rehearsal and using that to determine if you want to buy tickets to the show.
After sitting through the interviews I have a few tips for anyone interviewing for a teaching position.
1. Practice-Find some examples of questions that might be asked of you in the interview. I have linked some potential questions to this post. Go through each of those questions and write out your answers. A day or two later, answer the questions again. Then have a friend interview you with some of the questions and offer to do the same for them. Have them critique you on eye-contact, speech, thoroughness of your answers, and clarity of thought.
2. Research-Find out how many people will be in the interview. It isn't rude, especially if you preface it by saying you want to be sure you have enough copies your resume with you. Ask if this interview is with representatives from one or multiple schools. Then do some digging into the school (s) you are being interviewed by. Check out their websites and social media feeds. Find out what they are known for and use this to drive your questions.
3. Ask questions-Always have at least one question for the people interviewing you. Anything from what positions are going to be available to what they would expect from you. If the question is related to that school the better you will demonstrate your desire to work for that district. If you don't have questions for the people interviewing you, you are setting yourself up for failure. Some people think that if you won't take the time to do a little research before an interview, the less likely you are to get a job.
4. Highlight your strengths-Share your leadership experience, expand on your experience. Don't overemphasize your weaknesses. You will almost always have a question about strengths & weaknesses. Be ready for it.
5. Let your personality shine- Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Administrators want to know where to put you, but if you are masking your personality the principal will not want to guess which part of his staff you will fit best with. Instead he wants to walk out knowing that you will be amazing with Candidates and future teachers.
I titled this post "There is Hope!" because there is another group of eager future teachers waiting in the starting gates. Most of these teachers are going to be great teachers. I wish the best for them.
I think it is great to give students this experience. As they complete the interviews with a group of three or four administrators from area schools, they get feedback that will further prepare them for real interviews.
I admit, my participation in this event is a bit selfish. Yes I am honored to get to assist my alma mater, but I am also looking for prospects. I get the opportunity to gauge some of these candidates before they have learned many of the tricks of interviews & before they have had the opportunity to polish their presentation. This is like watching the dress rehearsal and using that to determine if you want to buy tickets to the show.
After sitting through the interviews I have a few tips for anyone interviewing for a teaching position.
1. Practice-Find some examples of questions that might be asked of you in the interview. I have linked some potential questions to this post. Go through each of those questions and write out your answers. A day or two later, answer the questions again. Then have a friend interview you with some of the questions and offer to do the same for them. Have them critique you on eye-contact, speech, thoroughness of your answers, and clarity of thought.
2. Research-Find out how many people will be in the interview. It isn't rude, especially if you preface it by saying you want to be sure you have enough copies your resume with you. Ask if this interview is with representatives from one or multiple schools. Then do some digging into the school (s) you are being interviewed by. Check out their websites and social media feeds. Find out what they are known for and use this to drive your questions.
3. Ask questions-Always have at least one question for the people interviewing you. Anything from what positions are going to be available to what they would expect from you. If the question is related to that school the better you will demonstrate your desire to work for that district. If you don't have questions for the people interviewing you, you are setting yourself up for failure. Some people think that if you won't take the time to do a little research before an interview, the less likely you are to get a job.
4. Highlight your strengths-Share your leadership experience, expand on your experience. Don't overemphasize your weaknesses. You will almost always have a question about strengths & weaknesses. Be ready for it.
5. Let your personality shine- Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Administrators want to know where to put you, but if you are masking your personality the principal will not want to guess which part of his staff you will fit best with. Instead he wants to walk out knowing that you will be amazing with Candidates and future teachers.
I titled this post "There is Hope!" because there is another group of eager future teachers waiting in the starting gates. Most of these teachers are going to be great teachers. I wish the best for them.
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