A short guide to preparing and presenting effectively for teaching interviews.

1. Preparing for teaching
interviews
How to give yourself the best chance

2. Objectives
• To provide you with advice, skills and resources
for advancing your career in (or out of) education
• This session will enable you to prepare effectively
for interview

3. The job application process
Career planning and sourcing jobs
• Personal strengths and attributes; print media and
online; networking
Applying for suitable jobs
• Cover letter, CV, selection criteria
Securing the right job
• 1st and 2nd Interview, try-out, testing

4. Applying for suitable jobs
Purpose: To get short-listed for interview
What Objective Perspective
Cover letter Demonstrate you can write, spell, Personal voice, sense
research the school, structure a of self
coherent and compelling argument
CV (resume) Detail your relevant skills, knowledge Legal document,
and experience. Meet the job objective and
requirements verifiable
Key selection criteria Express your role-specific views Theory and
clearly, provide discussion points for philosophy, backed up
interview with evidence of past
behaviour

5. Career planning
• Consider these factors:
– What am I good at?
– What do I enjoy most?
– What feedback do I get from others?
– What has my career progression been so far?
– Where do I want to be in 5 – 10 years’ time?
– What do I need (to do/have/be) to get there?
– What environment will support the above factors?

6. Knowing your brand
Lifestyle Hopes, drea
ms and
aspirations
Imagination
Liberty
Innovation
regained
Simplicity Passion

7. What are you known for?

8. SECURING THE
RIGHT JOB

9. Securing the right job: The interview
• 30 – 60 minutes’ duration
• Panel of 2 – 4 people
• 5 – 8 questions, 5 minutes for each
• Format can include:
– Verbal questions
– Written question sheet/task provided prior
– Presentation on pre-determined topic
– An ‘interview lesson’
– Psych testing

10. Interview questions - Type
Three types of question:
• Behavioural
– E.g. Tell us about a difficult student you have had
to teach and how you turned them around
• Hypothetical
– E.g. What would you do if a parent abused you
after class?
• Open-ended
– E.g. Tell us why you are a good fit for this school

11. How to answer Behaviour questions
“Tell us about a difficult student you have had to teach
and how you turned them around.”
• Outline the situation
– Two years ago I taught yr 9 History and had a student
with Asperger’s Syndrome…
• Explain what action you took
– I consulted the Special Ed. Dept. about his learning
style and the best way to engage him…
• Describe the outcome
– He responded really well, was far less disruptive than
in other subjects and chose to continue History in Year
10

12. How to answer Hypothetical questions
“What would you do if a parent abused you after class?”
• Identify the issues
– Clearly the issues here are of security, safety and due
process…
• Outline alternative strategies
– I am aware that at this school Heads of Houses are
primarily responsible for dealing with parents in the
first instance…
• Determine a course of action
– On balance, I would suggest that the parent and I
discuss the matter with …

13. How to answer open-ended questions
“Tell us why you are a good
Impact on the fit for this school.”
community
Impact on the The Ripple effect answer
school
Impact on the
students
Your KAVES

14. How to answer questions about you
“Tell us why you are a good fit for this school.”
• I am a very organised and dedicated leading teacher
who always strives to improve my classroom practice.
• I set high standards and have clear expectations or my
students, who respond positively in class and tell me
how much they enjoy Chemistry.
• I have been told that I have helped the school lift its
science results, and in particular to encourage more
girls to choose science after year 9.
• As a consequence, the school is gaining a better
reputation within the local community…

15. Interview questions - Teacher
Questions will seek to evaluate your:
• Knowledge of teaching and learning theory
• Behaviour management capabilities
• Future plans (PD, career)
• Potential contribution to the school
• Ability to deal with conflict
• Ability to work in a team

16. Interview questions - ESS
Questions will seek to evaluate your:
• Expertise and experience
• Capacity to work independently
• Work style: quiet, gregarious, efficient etc.
• Reliability, punctuality and other attributes
• Ability to work in a team
• Future plans (PD, career)

17. Securing the right job: The interview
• Preparation
– Research and rehearse
• Stress less
– Be punctual, prepared and well-presented
• Dress not distract
– Appropriate attire, nothing distracting (loud ties,
fancy jewellery, too much bare skin)
• Positive body language
– Hand shake, eye contact, posture and position

18. Interview preparation
• What do you know about the school?
– School and MySchool websites
– Prospectus, annual report etc.
– Colleagues, network
– Parents and students?
• What do you know about the interview panel?
• What issues are topical?
• What 4 key points about you do you want to
convey?

19. Tips to stress less
• Plan your day well in advance
• Allow double the travel time
• Aim to arrive 15 minutes early
• Bring any prompts and other material
• Find a quiet corner (in the car?)and breathe
deeply with your eyes closed
• Accept a glass of water if offered

20. What should I wear?
• Dress professionally for success!
• Find out the dress code of the school
• Save your Mickey Mouse tie/socks for another
occasion!
• No dangly earrings or plunging necklines
• Polish your shoes, cover tattoos and piercings
• Forget the heavy scent and make-up
• Ask someone’s opinion

21. Projecting positive body language
• Make good, confident eye contact often
• Extend your hand; offer a firm handshake
• Smile
• Sit upright, face the interviewer
• Listen carefully; paraphrase to demonstrate
understanding
• Try to project confidence: important for
classroom management
• Be yourself!

22. Conclusions
• Practice makes perfect
• Applying for jobs is an exercise in selling
– Know what you are selling
– Ensure it is what people want
• Interviews are merely conversations with a
consequence
• If in doubt, ask someone for help

23. To download this presentation
register at www.schooljobs.com.au
For more information about
Steve Whittington see
www.oxfordeducation.com.au