Teaching interviews

[Twinkenteen]

Hi, I am just looking for some advice really. I have yet another teaching interview coming up and I am feeling really demoralised. I just can't seem to pass an interview! It of course doesn't help that I am in a v v competitive area. Any tips or advice?

[FuzzyWizard]

In my school the lesson observation is the most crucial part. The interview is less important than the lesson obs IME. The lesson doesn't have to be whizz-bang but should be interesting with good activities and learning evident.

[Twinkenteen]

I haven't been asked to do a lesson, most schools don't ask for that here, so much more emphasis is placed on the interview as a result. Very difficult when like me you just clam up!

[leccybill]

In teaching interviews, make sure you are clued up and hot on all of the latest ideas. Revise it all the night before and have a practice go.
Talk about progress a lot. Make eye contact, don't waffle on, just stop at the end of your point, and it's fine to say 'let me just think about that for a moment' before you answer.
You must have a great letter and CV to be getting interviews so feel good about that, you're one step ahead of many others.

[steppemum]

practise the answers to the sort of questions you might get asked.

also research the school, so you can tailor your answer to the schools profile

also be ready for standard questions about safeguarding etc.

Can you get anyone to do a mock interview with you to give you feedback?

[eltsihT]

I have an interview on the 11th I am a bit pants at interviews. So this is maybe not the best advice.

I have worked at this school before (successful interview)!so am really nervous so I will mess it up.

I find (had 6 interviews in the last 12 months) often ask about your best lesson, So have that answer prepared.
Improving grades, behaviour, something on the curriculum and how you have contributed to developing it.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Whereabouts are you that you don't get asked to teach? That sounds really strange.

When interviewing, I'm interested in the 'real' examples. What have you done? What are you proud of? Anecdotes / personal examples are very important.

[Twinkenteen]

Thanks everyone for your help, I am trying to break the main questions down into memorable think points that I can then expand on, it's just remembering them! I am in NI, most schools don't request interview lessons. I've been asked to prepare a presentation before, which was actually easier as you had a prompt. However I fell down on not developing my other answers enough, so it's tricky.

[TrashcanMan]

Hey there, here are some of my notes from my recent interviews

Basic questions - teaching philosophy, classroom management style, etc.
Technology in the classroom
Explain your assessment practices
What is quality teaching and how does this translate to effective classroom practice?(Active learning strategies essential here)
How would you raise boys achievement in your subject area?
Specific scenarios, like dealing with a disruptive class, or a child protection issue.

Lots of competition for jobs in NI right now, an interview I went for recently had 23 other interviewees, 15 minute slots, with a 7 minute presentation, so only 8 minutes for questions. Needless to say, the job went to a teacher currently teaching in the school.

Good luck!

[ValancyJane]

In the interviews where I got the job I had really carefully thought out possible questions and bullet pointed some answers beforehand, I did it in a kind of big spider diagram in a notebook. When they asked me things about dealing with poor behaviour, assessment, raising achievement I would answer the question giving an example of how I'd done these things. I was also conscious of trying to develop my answers, for example when answering "What do you have to offer?" I would talk about myself as a teacher, what I could offer the students, what I could contribute to the department and also whole school. I've also been conscious that when they stop writing notes, I've probably waffled too long on a point and need to move on!