Interview Preparation: Ten Top Tips!

 It's coming up to interview season, particularly for a number of our final year students who have been applying for teacher training, so I thought it would be pertinent to share some of my experiences in teaching interviews in order to help others sidestep some of the mistakes I have made in the past!

1) Plan your arrival

One of my first interviews whilst on my PGCE was in Hammersmith in London. Due to traffic, travel time and problems finding parking I was 10 minutes late. Sitting in the reception area waiting to be called into the room where I knew all the other candidates were sitting was painful and I knew then and there that I wasn't going to get the job.

Lesson learned: Plan to get lost, give extra time for travel (do a test run if you can) and work out where you are going to park. It's better to be half an hour early than 10 minutes late! (now my life motto!)

2) Check, then Double Check

I actually missed my PGCE interview because I got the date wrong. Luckily I was given another chance a few weeks later! For most ITT and Teaching interviews you will be sent a schedule for the day. This might include group activities and written tasks alongside teaching small groups and formal interviews. Make sure you are aware of what is expected in each task (emailing or calling with questions if needs be!) so that you can read up on topics, plan activities or simply organise your thoughts on an issue.
If you are going to a PE interview also check if you need to bring a change of clothes with you (and if you need to arrive smart/ in kit) there is nothing worse than arriving in your joggers and meeting all the other candidates dressed in suits and shirts!

Lesson learned: Check (and double check!) what tasks you have to do. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, colleagues or others with your preparation

3) Ask questions

Not only do you want to make a good impression, but you want to make sure that this school/ university is right for you.  You will be spending a LOT of time either in this school, with the tutors and people around you or working with lecturers- you want to make sure they are a good fit for you and what you want to achieve. Find out as much as possible about the department or course beforehand but make sure you ask plenty of questions on the day. I didn't do this and it meant that when I eventually started at my first school I had a bit of a shock about what it was actually like to work there!

Lesson learned: Speak to others who work there/ have done the course before- what insider info can they give you about what it is really like?

4) Make notes

During the day you will be inundated with information. Whether this is during a tour of the school/ campus, a presentation on the school's ethos or course content as well as details of what will be expected of you. This might prompt a question which you might ask later on in an interview, or be something you need to find out before accepting any offer made to you. This will help you to ensure you ask the right questions (as recommended above) so you are fully informed of what you are letting yourself in for!

Lesson learned: Take a pen and paper. Don't trust your memory!

5) Prepare 

Generally teaching interviews include tasks and activities.  Even online interviews may need you to present something; perhaps a short starter activity or talk through a lesson plan. Where possible, run through the activity or presentation before the day with someone. Even if they know nothing about the topic they can give you pointers about how clear your explanations were, whether you made sense and how engaging the task was. I always also prepare a teaching portfolio to take with me to interviews- this has examples of things I've taught, resources, letters, cards, any certificates and other things related to the job in question.  This give you something to refer to when you are asked questions about things you may have done in the past as well as allowing the interviewers to see all that you have achieved without you having to try to shoehorn it all into your answers.

Lesson learned: Don't be afraid of a run through. Create a portfolio if possible.

6) Eat breakfast!

An interview day is exhausting. You will be 'on' for the entire day- alert to showing your best side at all times and engaging positively with everyone around you. This needs energy! If I am worried or nervous about something I always feel sick. You too might have butterflies in your stomach on the morning of an interview but make sure you eat something and pack snacks to nibble on during the day. You do NOT want a rumbling stomach distracting you half way through a formal interview or task.

Lesson learned: Pack snacks!

7) Breathe

It is really easy when you are being interviewed to get carried away talking without really thinking about what you are saying.  I was once in an interview where I stopped half way through giving an answer to ask 'What was the question again?'- I didn't get the job! It's really easy to feel that you have to launch into an answer straight away but don't be afraid to pause and collect your thoughts. Saying 'Can I have a minute to think about that?' doesn't reflect that you don't know the answer, it just shows that you are really thinking about how best to respond.  If you need to ask a question in return to clarify exactly what you need to say that's also fine. It's better to check than to give a long, rambling response which doesn't really answer the question.

Lesson learned: Embrace the silence. Check you are sure exactly what the question is before you start to answer.

8) Don't be afraid to admit you don't know

In my most recent successful interview I was asked a question which I had absolutely NO CLUE how to answer. So, instead of making something up I simply owned up to not knowing anything about that particular topic, suggested that it might be similar to some things I did know about and identified it as something I might need support with if I was to be offered the role.  I still got the job. Employers and Interviewers value honesty and will be able to see through you if you make up an answer and you clearly don't know what you're talking about, so please don't try!

Lesson learned: It's OK to say 'I don't know' 

9) Consider what you might be asked

Although sometimes (as above) interview questions can come out of left field- there was one interview I was asked what book I was currently reading, I wasn't expecting that!- for the most part, there will be some questions which are usually asked in teaching and ITT interviews.  Things like why you want to teach/ why you want to teach at this establishment, an example of when you have overcome a challenge, something you are most proud of etc. are common questions and by speaking to colleagues, friends and others you will be able to gather together a list of commonly asked questions to help you prepare.  In the heat of the moment it can be hard to come up with a relevant example of something you have done or a pupil you have worked with, so preparing answers for some of these questions ahead of time will not only mean you are more relaxed in the interview but will also allow you to give better answers. 

Lesson learned: Collate some example questions and prepare answers so you don't panic!

11) Relax

It's easy to let nerves get the better of you on the day, but remember that those interviewing you have chosen you because they think you can do the job/ deserve a place.  They want to know more about you and are not looking to catch you out! Ensuring that you have followed the steps above, had a good dinner and an early night the day before will put you in the best possible position to show off how great you are!

Lesson learned: It's just one day and will be over before you know it! All you need to do is show the interviewers what you can do!