Interviewing 101:Tips and Strategies for Landing that Job

Presented by: Bethany Bagley

College of Education Career Consultant

Making the Grade in YOUR Job Search:

A Teacher’s Guide to Career Success

Interviewing Fundamental

s

On average, it takes an interviewer

less than 4 minutes to make a decision about a candidate.

In 95% of cases the decision that is

made in the first few minutes did not

change by the end

of the interview.

Interviewing Fundamentals: What do School Administrators Look for?

Content (WHAT you say): Clearly articulate career goals Demonstrate knowledge of profession Use specific examples, success stories Prepare great questions to ask

Style (HOW you say it): Delivery and mannerisms First impressions

How to Prepare

Know yourselfKnow the schoolKnow the fit

How to Prepare

Know Yourself:Be Able to Identify & Market your Skills

Communication Leadership Technology Innovative Teamwork

Problem-solver Organizational Vision/Goal Oriented Motivation/Initiative Creativity

Know the School: Resources for Research

GA Dept. of Education School District Website Community Information Volunteering/

Networking Informational Interviews Internet Search

Know the School: Resources for Research

Demographics

Mission

Belief Statements Instructional

Departments

Vision

Accomplishments

Future Goals

Making a Successful 1st Impression

Let’s Start with the Basics:

S.E.N.T.SmileEye ContactNameTouchHandshake

Measures of Evaluation:First Impressions

Posture / Body Language

Enthusiasm & Energy

Professional Attire

More than 70% of your first impression

is based on appearance.

Based on 1st impression, who would you buy a car from:

This guy? This guy?

Based on 1st impression, who would you hire?

Candidate A: Candidate B:

Candidate A: Candidate B:

Professional Attire:

Women Professional blouse Business suit

(slacks/dress/skirt) Closed-toed dress shoes Conservative jewelry Conservative hairstyle Subtle perfume or none

Men Professional business

suit White button down

shirt (or other muted colors)

Conservative tie Dark slacks Dark dress shoes Conservative hairstyle

Professional Attire: Dress for Success

Business Professional vs. Business Casual

Suit Colors: Black, Navy, Charcoal Grey

Questions to Expect

Traditional Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself. What are your career goals? What are your strengths (and

weaknesses)? How did you choose UGA? Your major? Why should we hire you?

Keep answer under 2 minutes.

Answers:

How to Answer Questions

Give specific past examples/situations that reflect your accomplishments or portray you in a positive light

Provide examples of your greatest strengths and skill set

Research the district and school

Behavioral-Based Questions

Describe a time when…. Tell me about a time when… Give me an example when…

How to Answer

?

STAR Approach

S- Describe the situation in which you were involved.T- Describe the task to be performed.A- What action did you take?R- What was the result of your action?

S T

R A

Teaching-Specific Questions Why do you want to teach?

What can you contribute to our school? Why do you think you will be a successful teacher? What are the qualities of an excellent teacher?

Which of these qualities do you have? Describe your student teaching experience. What

was your biggest problem? How did you resolve it? How do you handle curricular content in classes

with many levels of ability? What have you learned from your student teaching

experience? What do you believe your role and obligations to

be toward other faculty?

Teaching-Specific Questions What techniques do you use in developing rapport with

students? What procedures work best for you in maintaining discipline? How would you individualize instruction in your classroom? Describe the role of the teacher in the learning process. What do you consider to be an ideal learning environment? How do you feel about team teaching? Why did you choose your particular area of preparation? What is the role of the school system in today’s society? What grade level do you feel most competent teaching?

Why? What out-of-school experiences have you had working with

children? What would you do if....? (hypothetical situations in the

classroom)

Let’s Practice

Tell me about a course, work experience, or extracurricular activity in which you had to

work closely with others. How did it go? How did you

overcome any difficulties?

What is your greatest strength

and weakness?

Tell me about the most challenging experience you

had during student teaching? What did you learn because

of that experience?

Tell me about a time when you exceeded your title’s expectation to complete a

job or task.

Questions to Ask and NOT to

Ask

Questions to Ask Description of school district as per staff

size, enrollment, etc. Professional growth requirements in the

district, i.e., continuing education hours. How are parental contacts handled? How active is the P.T.O.? What does P.T.O.

spend money on? How do teachers handle needs from P.T.O.? Does P.T.O. have a major project each year?

What extra duties are expected of teachers (i.e., bus duty, car duty, lunch duty, etc.)?

Are there any new “programs” (school-wide or grade-level) that are new or unique to the school? How long have they been in place? Are any being looked at as future possibilities?

When can I expect to hear from you?

Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices

Race Color Religion Sex (including

pregnancy)

National Origin Age (40 or older) Disability Genetic

information

How to Conclude the Interview

How to Conclude the Interview

Reiterate your interest in the school

Determine appropriate follow-up Get contact information from

interviewers Write thank-you notes within 24

hours Formal vs. Informal

(fine stationary vs. email) Remind administrators of

conversation highlights

Thank you!

Interviewing Tips

School Districts Speak Out!What is the biggest no-no in an interview? “apathy, lack of flexibility” “Not being professional in every way - dress, manner,

presentation, knowledge.” “Not dressing appropriately, looking around for others in the

room while an interviewer is talking to them, and having a sloppy copy of their resume. You are looking for the small things knowing that if they take care of the small things, they will take care of the larger issues they will face on the job.”

“Poor dress or language skills” “To show up late and/or unprepared”

1. Research the school and the program.2. Arrive 10-15 minutes early.3. Dress for success.4. Have a firm handshake and display confidence. 5. Use body language to show interest.6. Listen.7. Bring extra copies of your resume.8. Have questions prepared ahead of time.9. Ask about the next step in the process. 10.Thank the interviewers and follow-up with thank-you

notes/emails to each interviewer.

TOP 10 INTERVIEW TIPS

Get Practice!

Schedule an appointment for a mock interview

Call 706.542.3375

www.career.uga.edu

QUESTIONS?

Come visit me at the Career Center!

To make an appointment call 706-

542-3375OR

Visit Satellite Hours in Aderhold 124N every

Tuesday from 3:00pm-5:00pm

OR Visit Walk-Ins HoursAvailable everyday in

Clark Howell Hall from 12:00pm-2:00pm