Interview Advice for the Education Sector
The most daunting part of any job search is the interview stage. However, there is no need to feel intimidated. By keeping a few key principles in mind, you can ensure that you are ready for any surprises before you enter the interview room and portray yourself in the best light possible.
Conduct Yourself Well
As with any job interview, the way you present yourself to your interviewer is crucial. You’ll have heard this advice before – dress well, show up on time, keep eye contact, mind your posture, practice a good handshake. The education sector is no different from any other when it comes to these basic principles.
Do Your Research
Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of the school you are applying to join. The school website is the obvious first place to look, but you can also learn a great deal from the school’s Ofsted reports. See what you can find out about areas where it shines, as well as areas where things might be improved.
Local media can be another good place to look for information on a promising school and its community presence. If you still feel unprepared, consider reaching out to existing staff via LinkedIn or other means.
Know Your Strengths
Remember that, beyond being qualified for the role you are seeking, you have unique talents that set you apart from other candidates. Emphasising these will be integral to communicating why you ought to be considered. Your research may have given you a clue about how your particular skills can contribute to the school’s mission and the attainment and wellbeing of its pupils. Being aware of your strengths will also help you to show confidence, even unconsciously.
The inverse applies as well. Be ready to answer the dreaded question: “What is your greatest weakness?” Your honesty here will demonstrate both your experience and your strength of character. All the better if you can also couch the discussion in terms of how you overcome this weakness in your daily life and how you intend to work around it in your desired role.
Ask Questions
No matter how much background research you do, you won’t know everything about your chosen school that you’d like. The interview is a perfect opportunity to learn about aspects of the role that observation alone won’t tell you. What are their staff retention rates? What training do they offer? What can you expect in the way of CPD or career progression?
Don’t be afraid to ask multiple questions; your curiosity about the role and the school will tell your interviewer that you are serious about your application. And of course, don’t forget to thank your interviewer for their time.
The above advice represents a broad framework for approaching your interview, but there are many ways to drill down deeper. Be sure to subscribe to teachingtimes.com for more resources on career development in the education sector.