Getting a teaching job : Interview tips

Preparation

If you did your preparation for your supporting statement and related your skills and experience to the vacancy, you have done much of the groundwork in preparing for the interview. The following points will help further with ensuring you are ready for the interview.

• Re-read the job advertisement, any information you have about the school and your application form/CV (in particular, your supporting statement and any notes you made when preparing it).
• Ensure you have specific examples from your school experience to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.
• Research the teaching profession as a whole, and your own subject in particular. You should be up to date on latest developments and be able to discuss current trends and hot topics. Reading the educational press regularly is essential.
• Try to anticipate the questions you may be asked at interview and prepare a rough outline of the answers you will give. Look at some example questions.
• Think about questions to ask the panel - make sure you have not already been given the answer to your question in the information that you have been provided with during the interview.
• Ensure you can demonstrate your commitment to the particular school as well as to the teaching profession as a whole.
• Plan your journey and allow plenty of time to get there.
• Dress smartly.

Responding to questions

• Listen carefully to the questions so you do not misunderstand what is being asked. Ask for clarification if you need it.
• Don't talk too much - you can always pause and ask if they require further details.
• Don't simply answer yes or no.
• Give yourself time to think before answering; you do not need to jump straight into an answer.
• Don't be afraid to repeat information you put in your application. Do not assume that the entire panel has read it thoroughly.
• Try to expand your answers with interesting information about yourself and give examples to evidence your points and highlight your skills. 
• Talk rationally about yourself and others - a perceptive, balanced critique of your training course is far more impressive than either excessive praise or blanket criticism. 

The way you communicate in the interview will be taken as a reflection of how you communicate in the classroom. Your body language and the clarity of your speech are very important and you should always try to sound positive and enthusiastic.

Interview portfolios

Although it is not essential, you may wish to bring a portfolio to illustrate certain aspects of your work. A portfolio may include:

• examples of assessment;
• samples of children’s work;
• photographs of displays or field trips.

If you decide to use one, make sure you are:

• selective and plan carefully what to include;
• clear about what each piece of material illustrates;
• able to answer questions about the material.

Equal opportunities

If you have a disability requiring adjustments at the interview, you should inform the school/local authority (LA) beforehand. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market, see equal opportunities.