School job - interview question “tell me about yourself”

[Rocketearth]

Has anyone been asked this question if they’ve applied for an office school job? (Non-teaching only).

I have an interview this week working as part of the Exams team and am studying Q &A’s in preparation for it.

DH is a CEO who recruits various positions for three schools and says he’s never asked this question, or hears of it being used in school interviews.

I’m trying to cover all areas and having a hard time with this question which is quite typical in the private sector.

I've had this question as an ice breaker, wasn't scored but I found it SO hard to answer and really fluffed it. I wouldn't expect it to be a scored question personally, hard to fairly compare.

Its just a warm up question. Tell the what you like to do in your spare time , your hobbies and interests. Especially something different - I used to find that GCE Greek Literature in Translation always broke the ice.

@Rocketearth I'm office admin in a primary. Never been asked that question. But I was asked "if you could be a character from any book or film, who would you be and why?" (Creative curriculum is at the heart of my school)

It’s just an ice breaker. Try and work in some useful characteristic eg team sport (team player), craft (creative), fitness (mental and physical health), volunteering, when you’ve overcome a challenge, that kind of thing. Don’t over do it though, it’s just chit chat to introduce yourself.

I’ve had this before and although it was an ice breaker from feedback it was clear they were really looking for me to talk about the parts of ‘me’ that suited the job, some real life examples and what I could bring to the role (eg organisational skills, treasurer of local amdram society/head of child’s school pta, how this would help me in the interview role).

@LilyLolo81

I’ve had this before and although it was an ice breaker from feedback it was clear they were really looking for me to talk about the parts of ‘me’ that suited the job, some real life examples and what I could bring to the role (eg organisational skills, treasurer of local amdram society/head of child’s school pta, how this would help me in the interview role).

Yep. OP, some PP mentioned to talk about yourself/hobbies - don't! While answering like this might not cost you the job, in most cases this question is asking about your experience & career up to date.

For example:

I've always been interested in teaching because of xyz. In the last few years I've been working at x and focusing on xyz. I've really enjoyed x part of the work and developed xyz skills, now I'm looking to move into x role to develop my skills/expand my knowledge/something else.

Just talk about your experience to date, what motivates you to move jobs, how you developed your skills etc :)

I agree with @Sunflowers095 - I'd expect a brief outline of your career to date. Mind you I don't recruit for schools but unless the hobbies and interests were directly related to your job or you had nothing else to talk about - I wouldn't focus on them.

When someone asks a vague open question like this one response is to turn the question back by asking "What exactly is it you would like to hear about? My childhood? My hobbies? The interesting places Ive travelled to?"