The Inquisition or #slowchated Pops the Questions

image credit: http://myplacers.com/2014/01/6-lessons-from-comics-on-preparing-for-interviews/dilbert-interview/

In the paper recently, there was a job posting for a physical education teacher for grades in a nearby, suburban high school. With a little inside information, I learned that there were 178 applicants for the position. Now let's assume your online service answers fit the right algorithm, you are a connected educator with the right connection, your resume has that perfect combination of professionalism and sparkly innovation, and your cover letter struck the right tone. Assuming all these things, let's also assume you made the list of the 30 or so hopefuls to get called for an interview. (For those of us who don't immediately see the math here, that's less than 17% of all applicants.)

Well, now what?

That's what this week's #slowchated sought to discuss. The interview. How do we prepare? What kind of questions can you expect? What kind of questions shouldn't you expect? And what kind of questions should you ask? Put it all together, and this group of teachers and administrators has painted a vivid, realistic look at what you should expect when interviewing.

To recap some of the high points, participants were asked to comment on the following areas:

Preparation:

The extra-prepared

A1: Do mock interviews w/colleagues & get HONEST feedback on your overall vibe/message. Spew idea-junk & refine/polish the gems. #slowchated
— Eric Saibel (@ecsaibel) July 14, 2014

The seat-of-pants flyers

A1 I am a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl-haven't prepared too much in past, believe my love&knowledge of T shows #slowchated
— Kory Graham (@tritonkory) July 14, 2014

And those focused on the important things

A1:Make sure there is no food in my teeth and my breath is fresh. Eye contact. Ask interviewer questions, express desire for job #slowchated
— Seena Rich (@SeenaRich) July 14, 2014

Favorite question:

Specific situations

A2: I love to hear abt a specific struggle & specific success w a S. The look on his/her face says it all. #slowchated
— Catina Haugen (@chaugen) July 15, 2014

Relationships

#slowchated A2 Discipline plan. Bc I love talking about the way I build relationships in class, and the positive reinforcement stuff I do.
— Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher) July 15, 2014

Philosophy

A2) #Slowchated I always hope for this one: What is your philosophy of education? I answer thusly: http://t.co/SJmR2JDrQt
— Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) July 15, 2014

Least favorite question:

Weak!

a3 i mean really what do u want me to say about my weaknesses? am i gonna make myself look bad? or should i say im perfect? #slowchated
— Justin schleider (@SchleiderJustin) July 16, 2014

Management system!

A3: 1/2 I hate the classroom mgmt ? I don't have a system, points, rewards, etc. I do my best to make my teaching engaging. #slowchated
— Kevin Ashworth (@SLOlifeKevin) July 16, 2014

Choose your words!

A3 How do you DEAL with diversity? Im sorry what do you mean deal with? If you will excuse me I need to not be here anymore #slowchated
— Brian (@btcostello05) July 16, 2014

Strangest question:

Scary strange

#slowchated A4 "I see here you've put 2nd as your 2nd choice. Don't you find the smaller students are...less likely to talk to you?" 1/2
— Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher) July 17, 2014

#slowchated A4 2/2 DID YOU JUST ASK ME IF I SCARE LITTLE KIDS!?! Ha! I said no, the littler ones actually get me. They can see the weird.
— Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher) July 17, 2014

Awkward strange

A4: "If we asked ___ about you, what would she say?" "I... I don't know, I'm not ___." #slowchated
— Samantha Bates (@sjsbates) July 18, 2014

Borderline illegal-consult-your-HR-rep strange

A4 T friend of mine was asked 'Why aren't you retiring? You're old enough.' #slowchated
— Barbara Larochelle (@BarbLarochelle) July 17, 2014

Best advice:

First date

+A5: - 1st interview = 1st date, keep it short, sweet, memorable, not too many details - you are interviewing the employer! #slowchated
— Manan Shah (@shahlock) July 18, 2014

Confidence

A5 always end with a mic drop, or ghost mic drop #slowchated
— Brian (@btcostello05) July 18, 2014

Details

@sjsbates #slowchated A5 Don't say f*ck Don't say f*ck Don't say f*ck Don't say f*ck Don't say f*ck Don't say f*ck Don't say f*ck
— Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher) July 18, 2014

You should ask:

Collaboration?

A6 What's it like to work at your school? Is there a lot of collaboration? How would you describe the school's "feel/vibe"? #slowchated
— Kory Graham (@tritonkory) July 19, 2014

The turn-it-around

A6) #SlowChatED Qs for interviewers: What is YOUR philosophy of ed? Describe your implementation of RtI. What tech will be available?
— Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) July 19, 2014

Baked goods

A6 1) What might standout regarding the culture of learning in your schools? 2) How plentiful is staffroom baking? #slowchated
— Robin Dubiel (@RobinDubiel) July 19, 2014

Well, there you have it. Taking a look at how the #slowchated crew views the interview process may just give you the tools you need to nail your next one. Be sure about your philosophy and yourself. Understand the importance of the relationships you're developing - they have the potential to really drive your students' achievement as well as reduce the amount of time you spend managing the classroom behaviors.

You are in the business of impacting the growth of students. Let your interviews be a forum in which you scream your devotion to that end.