I want that job!

1. I want that job! Improving Interview Skills Dr. Larry Bohannon

2. Before I even get in the interview… • Be on time, preferably 10-15 minutes early. • Don’t drink anything for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour before the interview. • Eat a mint or freshen breath in some manner. • DO NOT CHEW GUM! • Turn OFF the cell phone, better yet, leave it in the car.

3. Clothes to Wear or NOT to Wear • Conservative---When in doubt, don’t! • Ladies: • No low tops • Hide tattoos • Watch dress length • Nice pants outfit might be the best way to go • Watch the piercings • Ears fine, too many, maybe not • No tongue! • Nose still questioned • Manicure • Clean those nails or fresh polish

4. Clothes to Wear or NOT to Wear(continued) • Gentlemen: • Coat and tie • Polish the shoes • Hide tattoos • No piercings • Not even ears • Manicure • Clean those nails

5. Let the fun begin… • How to answer questions • Use your best GRAMMAR! • Watch dubious words such as: • OK, Uhhhhh, Mmmm, Alright, Anyway—No slang. • ANYWAYS is not a word! Lose it! • Try to sit still • Feet flat on the floor • Watch crossing the legs! • Swinging foot • Here is where dress length plays a factor

6. Portfolios • When do I mention I have one? • What should I have in it? • Who should get it? • When do I get it back?

7. Water • To drink or not to drink….. • You’ve not drunk anything for 30 plus minutes. Now, you can have something sitting there ready for you to sip. • There are ALWAYS moments to take a sip. • It is better to drink something than to “spit cotton!” • It can help relieve some of your stress, BUT-- • Don’t pick up the drink if you are shaking. That would call too much attention.

8. Sample of Interview Questions

9. Number One • Tell us a little about yourself….

10. Number Two • What are your strengths? • What are your weaknesses?

11. Number Three • What are you going to do to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses?

12. Number Four • Tell us what your classroom looks like.

13. Number Five • Given this scenario, what would you do? • You teach between 2 other teachers that teach your same grade-level. You are doing an activity that requires cooperative learning. The class is having a great time and participation is high. The volume in the class is louder than usual but not too loud. • The teacher next door tells you that you MUST get the students under control. • You tell the teacher next door ………

14. I am sorry, I will close my door. • Remember, you are not responsible for your first thoughts, it is your second thoughts that matter.

15. Teacher then says that the principal does not like when classrooms are loud… • You respond, I will try to lower the volume. • Teacher closes her door and doesn’t look too happy with you (maybe even the profession!) • What are you going to do

16. Number Six • Describe a classroom management problem you had during student teaching and/or substitute teaching and how you handled it.

17. Number Seven • When would you send a student to the

18. Number Eight • What do you think of parent-teacher conferences (this will be asked for certain if secondary candidate)? • What do you think of home visits?

19. Number Nine • Why do you want to teach in ____________? town/city Here is where contextual factors are very important. Do your homework. LOVE THIS TOWN! • Why do you want to teach ____________? grade-level area Here is where you speak of your experiences in the Blocks.

20. Number Ten • There will be a CONTENT Questions: • If secondary, it will deal with your subject area. • If elementary, it will deal with reading and mathematics instruction. • In which areas do you think education is doing well? • Accountability….It’s here, might as well embrace it! • In which areas do you think improvement is needed? • Parent Involvement….Incorporating strategies that work with at-risk students……

21. Number Eleven • Rank in order of importance the following and then tell WHY you chose as you did: • Parents, Central Office Administration, Students, Principal

22. Number Twelve • Do you have any questions for us? • If there is a Human Resource person, they will explain benefits and salary before or after the interview. • If there is no HR person, you might ask in this way: “Will someone be talking to me about insurance and salary?”

23. Baker’s Dozen Number 13 • Know the flavor(s) of the month/year/decade They do NOT always go away, sometimes they enlarge! • Acronyms • NCLB (Nickel B) • MSIP or MoSIP • MAP • R2D2 or such • Initials • RTI • DI • PBTE • FBI • Refrain from using them in your dialogue unless it is used in a question presented to you.

24. How to end…. • How do you let the panel know you are finished with a question? • Look down • Finally…… • And in summation, • Never---DID THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? • How do you say good-bye? • Get up, go and say thank you while shaking their hand • Maybe say something such as “Hope we get the opportunity to work together…” if you are comfortable.

25. What do I do after I interview? • You may send a note thanking the panel chairperson. • You may just wait patiently for a call (or a letter.) • If a call, is your phone greeting of a professional nature? • You may call after at least 2 weeks to ask if there has been a decision. • You should not have to do this because you should have received a letter (if you did not get the job.) • You always want to leave the “DOOR OPEN and a GREAT IMPRESSION.”

26. Hope this presentation helps • Please feel free to call any former instructor for “pointers.” • We want nothing better than for you to get a job in one of the MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONS! • If I can be of help, please call or email me: • 573-651-2442 Office Telephone Number • rlbohannon@semo.edu