Interview for exam invigilator

[MissyB1]

Just got told today that I have an interview on Friday for this role. Eeek! Short notice! Obviously I’ve done a lot of reading around the role, and although I’ve never done this before I’ve thought about transferable skills from my other jobs.
But can anyone give any tips on likely interview questions? I’m really nervous as I don’t have much time to prepare!

I used to be an exam officer. My advice is make sure you understand about safeguarding - that's the most important question to get right. So who you would go to if you have any concerns about a student or a student discloses something to you (answer is Exam Officer/Safeguarding lead/principal)

The main thing is to show that you can be genuinely available whenever they need you. If you can do that, they'll bite your arm off.

I'm a senior manager in a university, honestly we can't get enough decent invigilators so if you're keen, reliable and sensible then we would snap you up. We offer full training too.

School and FE exams are governed by strict external regulations (like JCQ), most higher education providers run exams according to their own academic regulations so it's a little more flexible.

Being punctual, organised, methodical and good with people will all make you a great candidate. If you train to be a reader/scribe for students who have special exam arrangements then you can often get a better hourly rate.

It's actually quite good fun (I've done a lot, filling in for people who don't turn up - don't be them!). If you get a good rep then you could get lots of work in different settings.

Good luck!

Thanks all, interview is tomorrow lunchtime. So fingers crossed 🤞

How did it go @MissyB1

I think it went pretty well. It wasn’t easy though! They gave me a couple of scenarios, and asked me for examples of times I’d had to deal with certain situations.
I arrived literally just on time having been caught in horrendous traffic. So I was bit flustered. Still they seemed keen. Won’t find out until they’ve received my references.

Talk about a time when you have had to give instructions / a time when you have had to communicate something clearly.

A time when you have had to ensure that something was done according to a particular set of rules.

A time when you had to work under pressure.

Safeguarding question.

They might ask you to read out a passage of text (… just to check that you can read something accurately and clearly).

Sorry - I see now that you have had the interview already. I hope you get the job.

You will need a rich inner life and a pair of rubber soled shoes.

I have a good imagination, so if I get the job I intend to start planning my novel whilst at work

@MissyB1 - oh I hate that when you’ve got an interview and the traffic is awful. I thought that was going to happen to me last week for an internal interview for a promotion. I had visions of pulling up and trying to do it on MS teams using my phone and a rubbish connection. As it happens I was mega early and got myself flustered still!

Sounds like it went well, let us know how you get on

Hi, does anyone have any tips for an exam invigilator interview? What types of questions they will ask etc…

I had questions on safeguarding, how I work under pressure, making decisions, examples of working in a role with attention to detail, taking care of important documents, etc.. a lot of it is common sense, asking for help if you aren’t sure, being confident around the pupils, showing empathy if they are anxious, being able to reassure.

Thanks MissyB1. did you manage to get the job? if so how have you found it?

Yes I got it, and actually I really enjoy it. I work with a nice team who have been together along time. The secret is a good exams officer who runs the exams well.