Julie Paskiet Career Advisor, Career Exploration and Development, Kent State University, Ohio
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s a job seeker, you have likely reviewed lists of common interview questions, received advice from the staff at your career center on how to prepare for interviews, and read articles on what school districts are looking for when interviewing teachers. With your interview approaching, the do’s and don’ts below are designed to help you answer some of the most common interview questions.
Tell me about yourself. DO: ü
Provide a brief overview of your experiences and how they relate to the position
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Talk about what is important to you and what is important about you as it relates to the position
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Take advantage of this opportunity to highlight your strength
society. I have a personal responsibility to help make the world a better place and teaching allows me to fulfill this responsibility. When I worked as a counselor at an outdoor summer camp, our students attend for a period of one week. They came from all backgrounds and educational settings, and I found that my favorite experiences were the interactions I had with students who had little experience with the outdoors and those who were hesitant to participate in outdoor adventures or demonstrated little interest in learning about the environment. I loved watching these students grow as they engaged in activities and learned to appreciate nature. This experience shaped my desire to teach. It showed me that I have the ability to encourage students’ curiosity and to engage students in meaningful learning. I saw firsthand that teachers really do have the power to shape the next generation.” DON'T:
DO Example:
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Speak in clichés
“I will graduate in May with a degree in Early Childhood Education, eligible for licensure in pre-k-3. I am also working towards adding endorsements in grades 4-5 and reading. My most recent experience has been student teaching in a second-grade classroom where I have utilized my strengths in classroom management and organization to facilitate student learning. In addition to my classroom experiences, I have also worked at a summer camp for children of all ages, ranging from preschool to high school. This experience solidified my passion for helping students fuel their curiosity and desire for learning, and I bring this passion into my classroom every day.”
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Be too brief and fail to expand on your answer by sharing relevant examples
DON'T: ü
Read directly off your resume
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Ramble or lose your train of thought
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Spend too much time explaining your experiences; you’ll have time to share more detail later
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Talk about things that are not related to the position
DON'T Example: “I’m graduating in May with a degree in Early Childhood Education. This semester I am student teaching at Ravenna City Schools in a second-grade classroom under Mrs. Sett. I have 20 second-graders in my classroom. I teach math and social studies classes each day and run the spelling test every Friday. Prior to that, I did my field experience in a kindergarten classroom and a fifth-grade classroom. I’ve also worked as a server for Madison Country Club and I worked as a painter for a landscaping company. In my spare time, I like to read young adult fantasy novels and take my dog on hikes at the local park.”
Why do you want to be a teacher? DO: ü
Engage the interviewer in your story
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Demonstrate your passion for teaching by sharing examples and stories
DO Example: “I want to be a teacher because I believe teaching is the most important profession that exists and that teachers are pivotal to developing the lifelong learners needed to maintain a successful
Preparing for Interviews and Job Fairs
Answering Common Interview Questions
DON'T Example: “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was a little kid. I want to be a teacher because I want to help kids.”
Why should we hire you? DO: ü
Recap the highlights from the rest of your interview
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Focus on your strengths and what differentiates you from other candidates
DO Example: “You should hire me because I am a well-prepared, capable teacher who is dedicated to success for each of my students. I also create and possess strong collaboration skills. I enjoy exploring new ideas and developing creative approaches to my lessons to ensure that all students understand the content and experience success. I work collaboratively in everything I do, and I know that collaboration is a focus within your school. While I am not afraid to bring creative and innovative ideas to the team, I also understand how important it is to listen and to learn from my colleagues. In short, I am confident that I will be an asset to your school and I look forward to the opportunity to join your team.” DON'T: ü
Answer questions too generically
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Demonstrate a lack of confidence by failing to give a solid response
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Hesitate to share how your skills will benefit the school
DON'T Example: “I think you should hire me because…well, because I’m a good teacher, and I care about the kids. I think I might be a good member of your school, and I’m willing to help out where needed.” Remember that confidence and preparation are the keys to capitalizing on your interview to showcase your abilities and find your perfect teaching position.
55 American Association for Employment in Education
