How to Stand Out in an Interview as an Educator

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You get hired when you stand out in an interview. Whether there is a teacher shortage or limited positions available, putting your best foot forward during an interview is expected. Help make the decision easy for the leadership team by being memorable- this is what we call a “stand out.” How do you do that?

This post will provide 10 tips to secure a position in education due to being a stand out in an interview.

Before the Interview

  1. Engage with all staff – From the moment you pull into the parking lot, begin engaging with everyone you come into contact with because the impression to leave on al staff can impact a hiring decision
  2. Arrive ahead of schedule– Prepare to wait when you arrive early, but showing up early shows your dedication to the position as well as demonstrates being respectful of time for the leadership team
  3. Let style reflect your personality- Although you want to look professional, add personality to pieces of your outfit to showcase personality (ie. jewelry, shoes, hair, makeup, etc.)

During the Interview

  1. Let your passion shine– Don’t just talk about how much you love teaching, let them feel your passion through your words, energy, and stories
  2.  Weave in school details – Show that you did your research by adding in details about the hiring school in your conversation and pair that with why that piece of information made you interested in teaching there
  3. Focus on students, not yourself– Showcase your strength as an educator by sharing anecdotes about the success of your students
  4. Share stories– When explaining your experience or giving an example, share a quick story as this is more memorable to the interview panel members
  5. Admit your shortcomings– No one expects perfection, so when asked about a weakness, highlight what it is and how you are already taking steps to work towards strengthening that area as this shows a growth mindset and willingness to persevere during hardship

Closing the Interview + After

  1. End with an impressive question– You may want to ask about next steps for logistical reasons, but its far more impactful to end the interview with a powerful question like “how might I thrive working here at this school?” or “what makes you the most proud of the teachers and students at this school?”
  2. Follow-up afterwards– Not many interview candidates follow-up, so send a thank you card in the mail, make a personalized video email or try some other creative way to thank the leadership team for spending time with you and reiterate your interest in the position

Resources

Below are blog posts you can read that provide even more tips for being a stand out during an interview:

If you’d like printable resources to help with the interview process, you can download them below:

Being a stand out in an interview will surely land you your dream job!

Want more support? Browse our full collection of printable and digital tools. You can also read more helpful posts on the blog—and don’t miss my latest book: Always A Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success.

GO BE GREAT!

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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