The Interview Process

Relax and be yourself!
in addition to trying to fill a specific grade level or subject area, interviewers are looking for certain qualities in a teacher. These qualities typically include, but are not limited to presentation and professionalism.

Presentation Qualities

• Appearance: Wear appropriate professional attire and pay attention to neatness and appropriate grooming.
• Appropriate clothing choices for men include suit or sport coat, nice solid color shirt, tie, and slacks.
• Appropriate clothing choices for women include a suit with a skirt, or a dress with a jacket.
• Note: If you choose to buy a new outfit, make sure you are completely comfortable in it. (Wear it sitting down before you buy it.)
• Fragrances: Don't wear perfume or cologne.
• Hands: Be sure that your hands are manicured appropriately.
• Breath: Fresh breath is essential.
• Demeanor: Be friendly and sociable. Interviewers are looking for likable candidates.
• Voice: Keep your voice clear, pleasant and well-modulated.  Speak distinctly.
• Correctness of expression: Use well-developed vocabulary, good choice of words and well-formed sentences.
• Listening: Listen closely and carefully to the questions being asked in order to grasp their meaning.
• Speaking: Good organization, integration and presentation of ideas are important.
• Poise and self-confidence: Smile, maintain composure during the interview; be self-assured without being overly confident or arrogant; make direct eye contact, and offer a firm handshake before and after the interview.

Professional Qualities

Enthusiasm for Teaching and Children

• healthy motivation to teach
• happiness with choice of profession
• warm feelings about children
• willingness to learn
• willingness to help where needed
• professional, social, and personal experiences with youngsters in addition to  student teaching and field experiences

Classroom Competencies

• knowledge and skill in subject area
• ability to motivate learning
• sensitivity to needs of students
• history of work with children of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds
• ability to develop good self-concepts & trusting relationships with students
• ability to set achievable goals
• multicultural awareness
• ability to relate curriculum to students' needs
• organizational and leadership ability
• flexibility, patience, ability to analyze situations
• recognition of learning and behavioral problems
• ability to maintain suitable classroom control

Interpersonal Relationships

• ability to understand and relate to students
• ability to cooperate and communicate well as a team member with teachers, community members, students and parents
• ability to deal well with constructive criticism

Professional Awareness

• knowledge or awareness of latest developments in education
• familiarity with professional literature and philosophies of education

Social Awareness

• choice of personal reading
• awareness of contemporary issues

Once Your Interview Has Been Scheduled:

• Practice in front of one or two people wearing your interview outfit. Practice answering questions with approximately three-minute answers.
• Get to know the district and the school.  Visit their website, or call the district if you have questions about the current curriculum and the mission statement.
• The better-prepared you are and the more you know about the district, the greater your chances become of making a good impression.

During the Interview:

• Be ready to be asked to “Tell us something about yourself.” A few suggestions: Include where you come from and where you've lived, your educational background, two or three strengths related to the position, and your reason for choosing your major.
  
  
• When answering a question, give an example of:  Situation  Task  Action  Result.
• Focus on what you have to offer, not what they can offer you (including salary).
• Be honest.

After the Interview:

• Shake hands and thank everyone for the opportunity to interview.
• Leave a handwritten thank-you note that same day.

Additional Information:

• Stay in close touch with the Whitworth Educational Certification and Career Services Office.  We send out a periodic job position e-mail announcement to all interested candidates.  Our information comes from district e-mails, phone calls from principals and human resources representatives, and our own check of local employment webpages. Please keep your address and phone number current with our office at all times. 
• Refine and update your résumé whenever you are preparing to begin a job search, whether it is at the end of your program or when you're seeking a new position.
• Your application materials are extremely valuable documents.  All materials you provide, from the components of an online application to your résumé,  should be  PERFECT – free from errors, prepared with great care – and should show your thoughtful consideration.