Interview Teacher: Sample Interview Questions for Teaching and Head Teacher Jobs
By Annette Lewis
I consider the job interview to be the most important part in the job search process.
It really is make or break and could be the culmination of months of effort on your part. You may have spent time creating a powerful CV or Resume, researching a variety of employers, applying for a number of jobs and been through the agency or application process.
Finally you have an invite to attend an interview and the last thing to do at this stage is make some small mistake which loses you the job and puts you back at square one.
This article contains a sample of the types of questions you will encounter in teaching and education job interviews and for positions such as Teaching Assistants, Teachers of all grades, Head Teachers and Deputies.
What to Expect in Your Teacher / Head Teacher Interview
Within the Education Sector today, you will more than likely be asked to take
part in a Competency Based Interview usually in front of a panel or with
an individual and will be asked a series of questions exploring your skills,
qualifications and experience.
Most interviews will follow a standard structure which includes:
- Introduction
- Setting the Scene
- Exploration
- Selling
- Closure
Questions will vary depending on the level of job you are applying for, the amount of experience you have and the recommended recruiting policy of the school or academy.
While it may seem like an impossible task it is possible to anticipate the questions
you will be asked in jobs in Teacher interviews and these usually fall
into the following categories
Training and Qualifications
In this category you should expect questions exploring your training and your
understanding of best practice, governance and targets.
Teaching Skills and Experience
The interviewer will ask questions based on your experience as shown on your
CV.
Core Competencies
This relates to key skills required such as your ability to have good time management,
to work in or manage a team, to demonstrate effective communication, classroom
management skills, lesson planning etc.
Personality and Motivation
Your reasons for applying or for choosing your subjects and how well you can
manage classroom behaviour and difficult pupils.
For Head Teacher positions, you should expect questions exploring your leadership
skills, your ability to motivate and develop your staff, your capacity to build
relationships and your financial and operational management skills.
Expect 3-4 questions on each area along with questions relating to your understanding
of issues facing the Education Sector and targets as they impact on your school,
college or academy.
Interview Questions for Teaching and Education job Interviews
How would you answer these questions?
Interview Question 1: ''What steps would you take to increase parent involvement with the school?'
Interview Question 2: 'Tell me about a classroom situation or project where you had to apply an unusual level of creativity.'
Interview Question 3: 'Talk me through your ideas in relation to Behaviour Management and which techniques which you would favour.'
Interview Question 4: 'Tell me about a time when you had to influence a group of people in order to deliver a particular result.'
Interview Question 5: 'Give an example from your spare-time activities which involved organising, leading or group activities and where the use of initiative on your part was necessary."
Interview Question 6:(Headteacher) 'How would you describe your leadership philosophy and describe a time when you have been able to use it effectively to develop your teaching staff.'
* Questions taken from the InterviewGOLD™ Interview System. Click here for more.
How to Easily Answer Any Interview Question
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About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer and has recruited for many organisations
within Healthcare, Education, Customer Services and Banking.
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To help you succeed in Teaching and Head Teacher Interviews, I recommend the Online InterviewGOLD™ Interview System.
- Arrive Fully Prepared, calm and confident
- Know Exactly What to Expect
- Communicate Easily and Fluidly
- Answer Tough Questions Easily
- Avoid Common Mistakes
- Sell Yourself Effectively and Win
