What are the best ways to prepare for a teaching job interview as a new graduate?

Today employers want to see how you will react to the unexpected. Have someone come up with a list of out of the box questions and then come up with good answers. Kids have a way of throwing curveballs.

In our case, (county) such interviews are only done when applying for a teaching post from a private school. In public schools you are just hired because of your qualification.

Find as much information about any curriculum or instructional frameworks used by the district for your content area and grade level. If, for example, you are interviewing for middle school language arts, take a look at what textbook, partnership, or curriculum they use. Do they utilize a workshop model? Project-based learning? Science of reading? You can ask later to what extent these are used, and make a decision for yourself in regards to how much creative freedom you are willing to sacrifice for a given school - or how much work you have to put in. But chances are if you go to a school using a workshop model and you are enthusiastic about the science of reading, you might want to skip that school altogether and save yourself some time.

Research the school, know your resume, practice common questions, emphasize classroom management, highlight technology skills, showcase student-centered approach, discuss lesson planning, provide behavioral examples, prepare questions, present professionally.

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll nearly always be asked a question you haven't "prepared for" and to make peace with that fact. Other than that, the more specific anecdotes that you can tie to your experience, your teaching philosophy, and what you've learned, the better. Self-awareness goes a long way in presenting your character and the human behind the profile.

Consider turning a question asked of you into a question you ask of your interviewers. The best time to do this is after you are asked a question you might feel unsure of in terms of what you think the interviewer "wants" to hear. For example, if a department administrator asks, "What would I see if I were to walk into your classroom for a full lesson cycle?" (a very common question), you should first provide your response honestly. Later, when asked if you have questions, say: "Earlier you asked what you would see in my classroom during a lesson cycle. What specifically would you be looking for?" This will give you extremely valuable insight into what instructional practices are prioritized and whether that aligns with your values or not.

Don’t be afraid to get specific with your questions; deciding on where to teach is an enormous decision, and well-run schools make the taxing job of being a teacher so much more sustainable. Some questions I asked in interviews included: ?Does the district offer tuition reimbursement and how much? ?How do you cultivate community among staff? ?Why is this position vacant? ?What are the expected obligations outside of contract hours? (i.e. staff meetings, curriculum night, etc) ?How much planning time is guaranteed for teachers and how do you ensure that it is provided? ?What are some ways administrators support teachers?

Looking at today's employment market, all interviewees may be preparing for interviews in similar ways. Advice to my younger self who has been invited to a teaching job interview, would be to add a lesson plan to my portfolio. Request time in advance to market your lesson to the panel. Time to prove that you have the confidence to handle and engage a class of young adults and toddler-teenagers :-)

Understand your own unique value proposition, that aspect of self unlike any one else that you bring to the school, the other teachers, the parents and students. Decide what drives you to ‘get up in the morning,’ to do your best at what? For what? Don’t be afraid to show the passion that inspires you to get up and do your best through even the most difficult days.

It is essential that the candidate has done some research on their own about the school. It tells a lot to the interviewer about you. First and foremost I know that you are keen to join us since you've made efforts to know about us. Also your passion for teaching should come across when you are talking. For our preschool I'm always looking out for people who are also bringing something extra to the table in terms of a hobby or skill. Because a kindergarten teacher is going to open a whole new world to her students. She/he needs to have varied interests only then can she talk and share it. And a non negotiable is the ability to communicate lucidly and with confidence both with the students as well as the larger school community.

In interviews, authenticity is key. Be yourself, showcasing genuine passion for education. Share personal teaching philosophy and experiences. Emphasize flexibility and adaptability. While authenticity matters, preparation is paramount. Always have a well-thought-out lesson plan ready, demonstrating your organizational and pedagogical skills. Show how you connect theory with practice. This combination of authenticity and preparedness creates a compelling and confident candidate, leaving a lasting impression on potential employers.

Most teaching job interviews usually require you to do a 15-minute micro-teach. Prepare for this well by practising finishing your content within the allocated time, make sure relevant references are included and your presentation slides are clear and effective.