Your top tips for interview

[MrsBobDylan]

I have been offered an interview next week for a role I really, really want as a Community Leisure Tutor in Sewing (short course tutor).

I have lots of experience in sewing but very little in teaching, other than as a Secondary School TA.

I'm looking for advice on:

• How to prepare
• Interview techniques

I have been out of the work place for 18months after becoming a carer. I have probably lost confidence and skills so am realistic about my chances.

Please lend me your experience and advice so I can do my absolute best. I recently fucked up an interview which made for a funny story but didn't do anything for my decimated confidence!

Don't lie or try and talk yourself out of a question. Just be honest, say you don't know.
As you will be dealing with public you need customer skills. So have answers ready for questions such as:
" tell us about a time you faced a stressful situation at work and how did you overcome it."
"Tell us about a time you and a colleague disagreed on a course of action and what was the outcome"

Your basically telling them you don't 'do' drama and won't engage in it.

Another favorite is "what do you do if you see something that you think is wrong"

Looking to see that you would speak privately with a line manager.

Have some questions to ask. Maybe "would you be interested in developing this course to reach out to groups that wouldn't usually choose to take up sewing such as men or the younger generation?"

Good luck.

As pp says, and have a google of 'common interview questions' eg 'tell us about yourself and what value you would bring to this role', 'what have you done that you're proud of' etc.

It's utterly cringy, especially on Zoom, but needs must.

Good luck.

Thank you that's given me a great place to start my prep. This sounds daft but I hadn't thought that they will be looking for a 'type' of person who will fit into this role with the least amount of bother. So like you say, down to earth, thinking about how to engage harder to reach groups etc.

I will think about an example lesson and give them an idea of how the course could progress (based on other similar course structures). I know I won't be bringing the kind of experience to the role that they would ideally want, but I am a quick learner and quite good at thinking on my feet and adapting. And I enjoy being around people and helping them.

Be as friendly as you can.

Wherever you can use examples of your skills or experience or training to back up any statement. As much - relevant - detail as you can add. If you haven’t done a thing but you’ve covered it in some training, talk about that. Have key words written down so you can refer to them if your mind goes blank. Think in advance about your key skills and what you would bring to the role and how you can show evidence for them.

To use your own words: “I am a quick learner and quite good at thinking on my feet and adapting.” Don’t stop there! This is where you add [made up example] -“For example, I recently stood in for a colleague and had to take on a new group of people at very short notice. I realised x so did y and z and delivered a good lesson, receiving positive feedback from the attendees / colleague.”

“And I enjoy being around people and helping them.” Insert “for example I recently volunteered to do a b and c with a group and as a result of my work saw them improve from being beginners to intermediate practitioners” etc etc etc

Some great advice

Also though, I think try and enjoy the experience.
I imagine interviewers to be someone I just met who is just really really interested in me. I look at it as a chat
😀

I don't know if this will help, but I have found it useful to have a convincing narrative about why I wanted to move into a particular role. Is it your teaching skills you want to develop, are you looking to move beyond secondary and into adult education...? They will likely ask why you want the job, and a candidate who has thought this through is a much more convincing candidate.

I also don't know if this is appropriate, but it might be useful to have a portfolio of pieces to hand in case they ask for an example of your work?

Good luck!