So, you’ve landed that first interview — congratulations! This is a huge step and you’re well on your way to securing a job in education. You’ve enjoyed your placement and can see yourself working within a school. The only thing standing in your way? The teaching interview.
We’ve pulled together some of the best advice from teachers and interviewers about how you can stand out, step up, and stay calm.
Be yourself
Okay, we know you’ve heard this one already, but it’s for a good reason! When we go into interviews trying to seem like the ‘perfect teacher’, it’s easy to neglect the unique skills and experiences that reflect why you’re the right person for the role. After all, the interviewer is looking for a real person, not a performance.
You may also be asked a question like ‘tell me about yourself’ — and it catches more people off guard than you’d expect, but don’t panic! Simply give the interviewer a flavour of your personality as an individual and as a teacher, but keep it short, simple, and on topic.
Take a moment to reflect:
- What are your strengths?
- What are the traits that make you uniquely yourself?
- What is one hobby or passion outside of teaching that you love?
- What were the highlights of your placement(s) that made you proud?
Remember; this interview is just a conversation between real people. There shouldn’t be any trick questions, and who you are is already enough.
Do your research
The easiest way to show that you’re interested in working for a school is by learning a thing or two before your interview. So, put on your detective hat — explore the school’s website, scroll through their social media, and check out any recent news or achievements.
This isn’t a revision task! Instead, ask yourself:
- What do I like about this school?
- Why would I want to work here?
- What skills and strengths would I bring to this school in particular?
This will help you appear more genuinely interested in the school (hopefully because you are genuinely interested in the school!) and to keep your answers relevant to the interview.
Prepare, prepare, prepare!
This isn’t the first teaching interview ever, so you’re in luck!
There are hundreds of resources, blogs, and videos out there about interview questions and answers. Take time to find out the most common interview questions and write short, bullet point answers to each. Nothing crazy, but this will give you a bank of answers to draw from on the fly. Check out our list of common interview questions at the end of the article to get started.
Do the set work
If you have been asked to prepare anything in advance (for example, a lesson plan across key stages), be sure to give this your full attention.
This is often a sticking point in interviews — with many interviewers noting that candidates don’t always take this portion seriously. Giving these tasks your all is an easy way to help make sure that you stand out from other candidates.
Expect the unexpected
Though you may be told in advance about the interview set up, who will be taking the interview, or where the interview will take place, things might be different on the day.
Last minute change is often the name of the game, and so this is your chance to show how you can roll with the punches and adapt to the situation without hesitation.
Be kind to yourself
Remember, this is all part of the learning process. Even if you don’t get this role, it doesn’t mean that you’re not suited to teaching — or even to that particular school. Keep going and use this interview as an opportunity to reflect, grow and build confidence.
You are also allowed to ask for some time to think about a question you have been given, to take a sip of water or to make some notes.
Conclusion
We have every faith you’ve got what it takes to be a brilliant teacher. Take a deep breath, stay calm, and do the prep. You’ve got this.
Common Teaching Interview Questions
- What qualities do you have that would make you an effective teacher?
- Why do you want to become a teacher?
- What are your core strengths?
- What can you bring to the role that other candidates may not bring?
- Why do you want to teach this age range?
- If I walked into your classroom during an outstanding lesson, what would I see and hear?
- What are some of the current issues in education?
- What makes a successful school?
- Describe a good lesson.
- What do you think is the best way to motivate pupils?
- How would you handle a pupil who is being disruptive?
- What are important things to consider when setting up a classroom?
