Job interviews can be stressful. By arming yourself with information on the school's philosophy, disciplinary policy and stance on eduction, you can feel confident and prepared for your interview.

Preparation

Do your homework. Practice interview questions with friends and family. Teaching interviews are based on questions that surround behavioral situations, your strengths and weaknesses, and your philosophy on teaching. It’s important that you feel confident with your approach to teaching and convey that to your interviewer. Arrive five to 10 minutes early for your interview. Dress to impress. Your outfit conveys that you take your interview seriously and are looking to make a good impression. Bring extra copies of your resume just in case you need to refer to it, or have an interviewer without a copy.

Introductions

Introductions are very important. They set the tone of your interview. Shake hands and introduce yourself. Remain cool and confident, and try to maintain eye contact with your interviewer. When discussing your educational background and teaching experience, try to convey your love of teaching. Provide any recognition you have received for teaching and give examples of positive teaching experiences.

Teaching Philosophy

Before your interview, prepare yourself to present your philosophy on teaching. Your philosophy on teaching reveals your personal values and needs of your students and your department. What is your objective as a teacher, what teaching styles or techniques do you use to achieve your objectives, and most importantly, why do you love to teach? Consider creating a document that outlines your teaching philosophy and bring this document to your interview to show your level of seriousness and passion for the job.

Answering Questions

In the interview, you should be open and honest while remaining confident with your answers. Some questions may best be answered with a teaching example. Tell your interviewer about a teaching experience to demonstrate your answer, while keeping your story short and to the point. If your views differ from your interviewer, politely explain why. If you are aware of the school’s philosophy on teaching, discipline and education, try to align your answers with these core values.

Conclusion

Make use of the end of the interview to ask questions you may have about the school. Ask questions about challenges that teachers face, communication among departments, or the school’s stance on education, discipline, and philosophy. Asking questions demonstrates you are interested in the school. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to interview, and if you haven’t been told, ask when you can expect to receive notification if you were selected for the job.