Teacher Interview Tips
Recently I had the opportunity to sit in on interviews for a new PE teacher. The PE teacher and I work pretty closely together so I was very interested in understanding the hiring process.
My principal is so different than any other principals I've ever worked for. He was very open about the field and even let me read the resumes that he favored. Usually principals guard that information like it's gold at Ft. Knox; mostly because of privacy issues or their just secrative people.
After sitting in on an afternoon of interviews I have some tips for music education majors and all education majors! If you don't like or feel that the tips are worth it, keep on scrolling....no biggie.
1. Dress professionally no matter what. All of the in person interviews I sat in were very well dressed. However, if one is thinking about moving out of state and needs to interview by Skype or Facetime, put on a jacket or collared shirt and make sure your hair and if applicable, make-up, is done.
2. Eye contact. This is so important! One candidate kept looking down at the table instead of at the committee. Granted, she may have been processing the questions, but it was hard to engage with her because she wasn't engaging with us.
3. Buzz Words....the make us all roll our eyes, but they are used in interviews...alot. Knowing one's own content is crutial, but no one in teaching is an island. One of the biggest questions the PE candidates heard was "How would you integrate other contents into PE?" When preparing for interviews, think "Whole School"not just "My Classroom"
4. Technology. There was a huge difference in the older teacher vs. the fresh out of college teacher we interviewed. We asked: "How could you incorporate technology into your classroom?" The younger candidates were quick with an answer, the older, closer to retirement teacher struggled.
5. Asking about payscale. I'm not sure how it works in different states, but in Square State, most negotiated aggreements are usually on the district's website. If a candidate is truly interested in a job go to the website first and click around. It seemed bold that in a first interview the payscale would be brought up. Sometimes the information is provided during the interveiw, but not all the time.
6. Be truthful about who you are as a person and teacher. Lying on a interview does nothing for you, the school, and the people who interview you.
7. Scrub your internet presence. No one wants to see video of their kid's teacher belly dancing at a Halloween Party. Know the area of the country in which you are interviewing and realize that your University Shenannigans need not to cross paths with your Professional Life.
8. Special Ed. If during college or university y'all can pick up some extra credit hours in special ed or a minor in the field, DO IT! Integrated classrooms are a BIG DEAL especially if one is a candidate for Music, PE, Art, Library etc...be prepared to answer questioons about how to integrate SpeED students in your classroom.
9. If you decide not to attend a scheduled interview, PLEASE call the person doing the interview and respectfully withdraw from job. One of the interviewees was late so my Principal called the young man. After a 5 minute conversation, he learned that the young man decided not to interview. This was mildy annoyoing because people clear schedules and rearrange their lives to be a part of the process. Please don't be a "No Show."
There are so many more tips to be had...these 9 are just my inital ones. I hope they are helpful. I learned so much that afternoon. I am glad I had the experience.
