Preparing for a Teaching Job Interview

Your Resume as a Teacher

A teaching resume is basically the same as any other job's resume. Just be sure and list and highlight any and all items and experiences you have that will make you a more attractive teacher to hire.

These are just a few things that should be in a resume for any person looking for a teaching position.
Teaching seminars
Teacher workshops
Teaching experiences
Life experiences that involve the qualities of a teacher
Specific classes taken to be a better teacher. (this does not include basic teacher classes)
Awards and recognitions that show teaching ability or a teacher characteristic.
Regular teaching jobs would be listed in the normal way any prior employment would be.
It is helpful, however, to add a separate section just for teaching experience. This way your teaching experience is highlighted.
If you have little or none of the above items, get working on it! Find a seminar. Find a workshop. Pad your resume with good teaching stuff. Your local school district will have a list of all local teaching seminars and workshops. They may even give some themselves.
For general resume tips, you can visit: http://www.free-resume-example.com/

Prepare a Teaching Portfolio

There is some debate whether teachers need to create a portfolio. If you have no idea what a teaching portfolio is, think of it as a scrapbook on your life, slanted to teaching.

In short, a porfolio is a book that highlights your life. It includes any and all awards, not just teaching. It includes certificates for special things, like seminars or even volunterr work. When I donated some crayons and coloring paper to a local hospital, they sent me a letter of appreciation. That went in my portfolio. If you won awards in high school, like perfect attendance, and other special school recognitions, it goes on your portfolio. Make copies of your degrees and certificates and put them in your portfolio. Any letters of acceptance for jobs and schools, put them in your portfolio. Again, anything and eveything that you can brag about. But do include plenty of teaching stuff. Your teacher education classes are full of projects. Include some. You can even make a video of you teaching. In my day it was VHS, today you can put it on a DVD. Makes putting it in your portfolio much easier.

Bring your resume and portfolio to your teaching job interview!

Prepare for your Teaching Job Interview

What to expect when interviewing for a job as a teacher

Dress professional. It is true many teachers do not dress appropriately. After many years, some teachers feel jeans, t-shirts, and shorts is just fine. You will not get a teaching job dressed that way.

Get to know a little about the school before you get to your interview.

Be prepared to give a little biography about yourself.

You should be ready for similar questions to the following:
Why should you be hired as a teacher?
What makes you special as opposed to other teacher candidates?
What are your qualifications for this teaching position?
What are your teaching strengths and weaknesses?
Be careful on that one. Nobody is perfect. A good answer is you will improve by learning from fellow teachers, finding what works, and what doesn't.
How will you handle a disruptive student or classroom?
Will you support all school rules?
Another common question is to ask you if you have any questions for them. Do not act like you are looking for something wrong. Ask something positive. Is the campus always this clean? Is the staff always this helpful? Do not ask something like: Do we have to stay for teacher meetings?
If you are a well-prepared teacher who has gone through teacher education classes, relax. The rest of the questions are easy.
Remember, that if you are called in for a teacher job interview, you are definitely being considered!

Be sure to visit the main page of this website for teaching articles and teaching tips including classroom discipline, classroom management, new teacher tips, as well as teacher resources.

After the Interview

Ask your interviewer when they will make a decision. Act eager for the job, but not giddy. Be polite. A call back the next day is also appropriate if you have not heard. Normally, a decision is made rather quickly. Most jobs are given out in the summer and they need to plan for the next school year.

Contact the person who you interviewed with if you have not heard within two days. If they say they have not made a decision, chances are, you are out. If they have, thank them and move on to the next one! You should never stop looking if you are called for an interview. Line up several if possible.