Sean Carter
Interviews aren’t everyone’s favourite thing. They can be incredibly nerve-wracking, and many people find that they don’t like to talk about themselves for an extended period of time. However, many recruiters will put a large emphasis on the interview because it is one of the best ways to learn more about a candidate’s personality, their values and teaching style, and how well they handle pressure.
There’s no getting around the interview when applying for a teaching position, therefore the best thing to do is become the best interviewee possible. So how does one achieve this? Here are a few things to keep in mind to have your best interview:
Smile! A smiling and friendly face is always a good icebreaker. It will help you to relax and show your interviewer how you can connect to students with warmth.
This will not only provide you with talking points, but it can show a recruiter that you have done your research and take the position seriously.
Any recruiter will welcome questions about the position and the school. This will again show the recruiter that you care. It will also give you a better idea of the position so you know if it’s a good fit. This is especially the case if you’re applying for an international job. For example, if you’re looking at teacher jobs in Shanghai, you’ll want to have as many questions as possible so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
It’s important to make sure you create a good first impression and we all know that looking professional for a formal interview makes sense. A prospective teacher should look smart and dressed for the occasion.
This may sound obvious but make sure you prepare some good examples you can share with the interviewer about past successes/difficulties, that display your ability to overcome a challenging situation.
