A Winning Interview For Educators

by Chris Christensen

Okay, so you got the interview. Now what are you going to do? Anxiety sets in…you begin to convince yourself that maybe you really don't want the job.

You begin to think of all the reasons why they won't hire you and break out into a cold sweat just thinking about it. Visions of an empty room, a chair and a light bulb begin to dance through your brain. Sound familiar? You are not alone. We've all been there and the key to success is preparation!

The preparation process may be different depending on your field of specialty. For instance, in the field of education the depth and scope of resume materials can be more complex than in most other industries. The reason for that is the hiring methodology.

In education, reviewers are really geared toward your background. They want a broader scope of background on you including your extracurricular and adjunct responsibilities. They will determine your eligibility based more on what they see on paper than on the interview process.

That is not to diminish the interview as being insignificant. That is far from true. The interview is the culmination of their assessment. Interviewers will assess you for your personal skills, character and related arenas to see if you will fit in with the rest of the faculty. Are you a team player or a lone ranger? Will you be able to measure up to their perceived standards of excellence in education?

So for you, the interview is really a time to get to know individuals who represent the school atmosphere as well as its unique personality. They have already reviewed your credentials and found you suitable, so the interview becomes more of an evaluation of whether you will clash or fit in with the school dynamics. So relax and be yourself!

Remember too that within the educational field, you will likely be team interviewed. Different personalities will be represented and your goal is to win each one of them over to your side. Before you walk into any interview, you should know as much about the school system, the particular school and the position as you possibly can.

If you found the position through a placement agency, they should be able to provide that information for you. If not, search the web or go to the library. In today's world of mass communication, there's no excuse for lack of research. After you have done your homework, write out a list of questions to ask the faculty review committee.

Get the interviewer to describe the position and responsibilities early in the conversation so you can relate your skills and background to the position throughout the interview. Give your qualifications. Stress the accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job.

If you feel that the interview went well and you would like to take the next step, express your interest to the hiring authority and turn the tables a bit. Try something like the following: "After hearing more about your school, the position and the responsibilities at hand, I am certain that I possess the qualities that you are looking for in the (title) position. Based on our conversation and my qualifications, are there any issues or concerns that you have that would lead you to believe otherwise?"

You have a right to be assertive. This is a great closing question because it opens the door for the hiring authority to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If concerns do exist, this is a great opportunity to overcome them. You have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths and end the interview on a positive note.

A few things to remember during the closing process: Don't be discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with the office first, or interview other applicants, before making a decision.

Express thanks for the interviewer's time and consideration. Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible. Follow-up. When you get in your car, immediately write down key issues uncovered in the interview. Think of the qualifications the employer is looking for and match your strengths to them. Follow-up now is critical. A "thank you" letter should be written no later than 24 hours after the interview.

There is no one formula that will guarantee interviewing success. However, if you master the basics you will be well on your way to getting that "perfect" position.

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