Do you want to secure your next teaching role? We talk you through some of the most common teacher interview questions you could be asked, and how you can answer them successfully.
Interviews. No matter what stage of your career you’re at they can be the most nerve-wracking 40 minutes of your life. But they are also a chance to show off your skills and prove why you’re ideal for the role.
The key to success lies in the preparation. You know from working in a school that you undertake different tasks and experiences, which can range from providing pastoral support, to taking part in your school’s extra-curricular activities not forgetting actually teaching!
The interview process will reflect just this - you’ll usually be asked a wide range of challenging questions, allowing you to prove your knowledge and expertise to your interviewers. So, to help you prepare for the interview process, we’ve put together a list of top questions that you could be asked.
‘Why do you want to work at this school?’
A predictable question, but one that can be tricky. So that you can provide the most detailed and interesting answer, make sure that you do your homework and research the school you are applying to. With questions like this one, you can also show off your own personal skills, and describe why you’d be the best candidate for the job.
‘Why did you decide to become a teacher?’
This is an interesting question, as there is no right or wrong answer - everyone will have a different response. It’s important here to be honest, and give examples and tell stories; were you inspired by a teacher of your own? Did you read something in the news that prompted you to apply?
‘How would you deal with a student who consistently hands in work late?’
This question is focused on a situation that you are likely to encounter when you teach. Think about any examples of this kind of behaviour that you’ve dealt with in the past, and how you could act professionally, whilst keeping the interests of the student at heart.
‘What would you say to a parent who is angry and unhappy with their child’s results?’
Another situational question, this requires you to think carefully about all parties involved - the student, the parent, the school - and respond in a manner that considers everyone.
‘What do students look for in a teacher?’
This question allows you to show off the qualities you have that make you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate how you’ll engage your pupils.
‘If we decided not to appoint you, what would we miss out on?’
This is your opportunity to sell yourself and tell your interviewer exactly why they should choose you. Make sure that you think about any quality you have that makes you interesting or sets you apart from the crowd so you leave a lasting impression behind.
Finally, always make sure that you have some questions prepared to ask your interviewer at the end of the interview.
