Interview Etiquette

[WVmtnlady]

Well, I recently went on my very first interview for a teaching position. It was the first time in a long time that I have interviewed for a job. I felt good going into it but was uncomfortable being interviewed by three people at once. There were 2 asst. principles and the head of the LA dept., and they questioned me back and forth between them. Is this the norm? Also, a couple of days have passed and I received a thank you note from one of the asst. principles. Should I respond in kind or is there something else I should do? I would like to make sure that I'm following the correct interview etiquette. :) Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Chef Dave]

During my last job interview, the building administrator, assistant administrator, district superintendent, the teacher I was replacing, and a representative of the school board were present.

I was offered a contract within 30 minutes of the interview.

Had I received a thank you letter, I would have sent a polite letter, thanking the administrator for the opportunity to interview and reiterating my interest in the position.

[irish223]

Well, I recently went on my very first interview for a teaching position. It was the first time in a long time that I have interviewed for a job. I felt good going into it but was uncomfortable being interviewed by three people at once. There were 2 asst. principles and the head of the LA dept., and they questioned me back and forth between them. Is this the norm? Also, a couple of days have passed and I received a thank you note from one of the asst. principles. Should I respond in kind or is there something else I should do? I would like to make sure that I'm following the correct interview etiquette. :) Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Panel interviews are very common. I've even heard of interviews that included a parent representative!

In the future, you should always send a thank you note, or at least a thank you email. In the note, try to include something from the interview that will help them to remember you. The same goes for job fairs. If you feel you've had a good preliminary interview at a job fair, then send a note expressing your interest in the district and try to include something of interest from the interview.

Good Luck!

[busbus]

In my school district, it seems to be the norm to have panel interviews.

At my first interview with my school district, there were three interviewers - two principals and a person from the curriculum and instruction department. I was young; but, I was not intimidated by these "vips." I was hired that day.

For my current position, it was a panel interview. All of the interviews were held on the same day. We were informed if we had the position following the last interview. I received a confirmation letter within the following week.

During my career, I have served on interview panels for new teachers. It's very interesting.

A thank you note would be appropriate.

[WVmtnlady]

Thank you for responding to my dilemma. I think that at least one class during undergraduate work should be on how to present yourself respectably, interview etiquette, and practice on these items. The only thing I was ever told was to dress nice. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years and the only jobs I did work were Blockbuster, Bath and Body Works, etc. This was due to the fact that we are a military family and, with all of the moving around, job advancement for myself was pretty much impossible. I am the mother of 3 sons (15,17, and 22) and 1 grandson so I started out working on my teaching certificate later in life than most of the people I attended school with. I'm 42 and quite proud of the accomplishments I've made in my life. So, it is with much appreciation that I thank you for your comments and have written a thank you note to the group that interviewed me. The next time I will be on top of things! I know if I have more questions, I'll just ask you all! :D

[sgaestel]

I interviewed three times when looking to start in the education field. Two were panel interview, one was one on one with the principal. I was offered two out of the three, which was nice...to be able to choose.

How did things go with the interview? Did you hear back from them aside from the thank you note?

[WVmtnlady]

I think the interview went okay. They asked a lot of questions and some were pretty thought provoking. When the interview ended, one of the asst. principles did give me a tour of the school. It is a new school (2yrs. old) in Beaufort Co. I haven't heard anything from them since I received the thank you note. The note did say that they would be reviewing my application and their notes on my interview over the next few weeks. They are supposed to notify me after that. I also sent back a note thanking them for the opportunity to be interviewed and for the note they sent. There is also a job fair on April 19th for Pitt Co. and one on May 2nd for Beaufort Co. I know that it is still kind of early to be anticipating calls to interview, but I'm anxious!

[jsfowler]

WVmtnlady...good luck with your job hunt!! Panel interviews can be scary but the key really is to be yourself. I hate to see people in an interview that look like they are trying too hard or are being fake. You don't get a real impression of the person. You seem very natural and likable so I am sure you did great.

At our school we have a site-base council made up of the three administrators, three teachers, and two parents. They conduct all the interivews. Sometimes another teacher is invited to sit in if someone from that field is not on the council. After the interviews, they discuss the applicants and vote. We are always looking for people who are going to help our students be successful in all areas - classroom, extracurricular, etc.

Again, good luck!

[busbus]

I think the interview went okay. They asked a lot of questions and some were pretty thought provoking. There is also a job fair on April 19th for Pitt Co. and one on May 2nd for Beaufort Co.

In rereading my previous response to your post, MVmtnlady, I noticed that I failed to suggest to you to research the schools and the school districts of interest to you. Knowing what the focus is of the district and/or the school might help you to prepare for those "pretty thought provoking" questions. Your responses to the questions asked will suggest to them that you have done your "homework." In this regard, I think that this would be a plus for you because the panel will probably appreciate the fact that you took the time to learn something about them.

Yes, it is important to know pedagogy, current trends and current issues affecting schools; but it is also important that you include somethings particular about the school or school district associated with the interview. Just glean over the profiles and keep a few things in mind to include in your answers.

Usually, after the interview, the interviewee is asked if they have a question. Having done your "homework," you can ask a question specific to the school or school district - particularly if it had not been addressed during the interview.

Just be natural, relaxed and prepared when you interview.

Again, GOOD LUCK! :)

[Ima Teacher]

In Kentucky school councils are in charge of all hiring. Our interview committee consists of the principal, one assistant principal, three teachers, two parents, and the team leader for the grade and/or the department head.

[MrsR]

On one of my interviews there was 12 people there!! Two principals and ten teachers, it was very overwhelming to say the least. I would say after any interview be sure to get all the names of the people you interviewed with and write them a thank you note to thank them for taking the time to interview you.