Types of Interviews

The interview structure varies among districts, schools, and instructional units.  Knowing the type of interview in which you will participate helps you better prepare.  Therefore, it is important to understand the following formats frequently used in the hiring process.

·         Screening (Preliminary) Interview – This type of interview is used to identify candidates for further consideration.  Since there is usually an overabundance of applicants for any one position, the prospective employer must quickly reduce the pool to efficiently find the right person to fill a vacancy.  The main purpose of these interviews is to weed out unqualified applicants.  The interviewer is often simply verifying that the applicant has the basic qualifications and experience.  Therefore, these interviews are typically very short (20-30 minutes) and somewhat general in nature.  Examples of this type of interview include job fairs, on-campus recruiting, and telephone interviews.

-        Tips:  Make sure that you have a professional message on your answering machine/voice mail.  Keep your résumé or notes with pertinent information handy so that you can accurately respond to questions asked in an unexpected telephone call.  Be pleasant and neutral, answering only the questions asked.  Offer no strong opinions.  Your main goal should be to cite your qualifications and interest the interviewer enough to invite you to a traditional face-to-face interview.  You should highlight those accomplishments, skills, and personal traits that make you stand out from other applicants. 

·         Informal Interview – Sometimes the candidate initiates and interview by calling or hand delivering a résumé.  Whether the candidate is making a “cold” contact or is familiar with the school, it is essential to present a professional image.  First impressions are important and just might lead to a more intense interview. 

-        Tips:  Dress professionally when meeting in person.  Smile, shake hands, and make eye contact.  Give the prospective employer your business card, résumé, and mini-portfolio.  Highlight personal contacts that he/she might know (another teacher in the school, a prominent community member, another principal, etc.).  Your main goal should be to learn more about vacancies and to show interest in becoming a valuable part of the staff.

·         Traditional (Directed/Selection) One-On-One Interview – This is an individual interview that is generally longer than the screening interview and focuses on your specific knowledge and qualifications for the vacant position.  The interviewer will ask questions to better understand your education, experience, and knowledge.  While asking you questions, the interviewer will also assess your interpersonal skills, attitude, strengths, and unique characteristics that would add to the qualifications cited in your résumé. 

-        Tips:  Your main goal should be to establish a rapport with the interviewer and demonstrate that your qualifications and skills would make you a good fit for the open position.  Connect all of your qualifications with the position’s requirements.  Listen carefully to the interviewer and follow his/her lead.  Sometimes it’s possible to pick up on interviewer’s areas of interest and personal predilections that you can use in response to his/her questions.

·         Demonstration Interview – Sometimes the applicant will be asked to teach a lesson for a specific grade level/class.  This typically occurs when the employer has narrowed the pool of candidates and wants to further assess the instructional skills of the applicant.  Following the lesson, the interviewer may meet with the candidate to gain further insight into the lesson.  The main purpose of this type of interview is to see how the candidate applies his/her knowledge and skills in a real-life situation. 

-        Tips:  Make sure that you have a good understanding of the type of lesson you are being asked to teach.  Spend lots of time planning a lesson that truly reflects your teaching philosophy and personal skills.

·         Serial Interview – This involves a series of interviews by different people within the district/instructional unit.  For example, the candidate might have separate interviews with the Director of Human Resources, the Principal, Department Chair, and other teachers.  Afterwards all the interviewers meet to compare their notes and discuss what they learned about the candidate before making a collective decision on hiring.

-        Tips:  Work hard to carry the same exuberance into each segment of the interview.  Treat each interviewer with the same sense of respect and sense of importance.  As you gain insight into the district/school through earlier interviews, use that knowledge in subsequent interviews to demonstrate your familiarity with the district/school.

·         Panel or Committee Interview – This involves an interview in which the candidate meets with several people within the district/instructional unit all at one time.  The panel can include district and/or building administrators, teachers, school board members, and sometimes community members.  Although this type of interview may be intimidating, it is important to project a confident, professional image.  A candidate should pay close attention to the person asking the question, but when answering it, should make eye contact with all members of the panel.    In this way it is similar to a teaching situation in which you must communicate information to several people at once.  As with the serial interview, the panel compares notes after the interview.

-        Tips:  If you know who will be on the interview committee ahead of time, research their basic biographical information.  Treat each person on the panel as an important individual and recognize their role in the district/instructional unit.  Give each one your business card and a copy of your résumé.  Listen carefully as each one speaks, so that you can gain insight into personal agendas/perspectives.

·         Group Interviews – This type of interview in which several candidates are interviewed together by an individual or committee.  The interviewer(s) will assess both the quality of the candidate’s answers and interpersonal skills.  This format gives the interviewer an opportunity to compare all candidates at the same time and to observe how individual candidates interact with each other.  It also gives the interviewer an idea as to whether you’re a “team player” who will work well with the other staff members.

-        Tips:  Treat everyone with respect.  Before you begin the interview introduce yourself to the other candidates.  Although you want to take this opportunity as a chance to shine, you do not want to be overly assertive or rude to the other candidates.  If another candidate makes a good point, think of a statement that expands this information.  This demonstrates that you are an active listener and can think on your feet.  Being courteous, but firm and focused, will demonstrate your style, professionalism, and leadership qualities.

·         Follow-up Interview – Sometimes prospective employers will ask candidates to return for second, third and even fourth interviews to confirm their first impressions or make the final choice from their “short list” of suitable applicants.  Usually the interviewer has already established that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to fill the position.  So, the follow-up interviews are often more about personality.  The employer wants to make sure that you’re the best fit for the specific position.

-        Tips:  Be confident and accent those qualifications and skills that make you the best applicant.  Show your interest in the position by mentioning things that were discussed in prior interviews.  If there was something you forgot to mention in an earlier interview, bring it up in the later interview.  You may also want to expand upon your earlier responses.

Clothing – Your clothing should be professional, comfortable, clean, and well pressed.  Make sure there is no lint, dangling threads, missing buttons, holes, or stains.  You should wear a coordinated outfit that is tailored for your body.  If you’re borrowing clothing, make certain that it isn’t so large that you look sloppy or so tight that you feel uncomfortable.  A two-piece matched suit in a conservative color and fabric is a perfect choice.  Women may choose a skirt or slacks as part of their suit, as either presents a professional image.  Don’t combine a jacket with pants or a skirt that doesn’t match.  Empty the pockets so that your clothing doesn’t bulge or contents jingle.  A woman’s skirt should be at or just above the knees and the blouse should not show cleavage.  Avoid bright colors and bold patterns.  Men should wear a long-sleeved shirt and a conservative necktie.  A classic look is preferred to making a fashion or personal statement in dress.

Shoes – Wear leather shoes that are polished and comfortable for walking.  Women should avoid open toed shoes and sandals with straps.  Low to medium heels are recommended.  Men should wear dark socks and women should wear neutral hosiery.  

Hands – Make sure that your fingernails are clean and manicured.  Women should avoid distracting fingernail polish and accents.

Jewelry – Keep your jewelry conservative and remove it from body piercings.  Pierced jewelry should be limited to a single pair of earrings.  Definitely remove nose, eyebrow, and tongue jewelry.  Remember that simple is best and select items that are minimal and muted.  Avoid large earrings and wear only one ring on each hand.

Scents – Use perfumes and colognes sparingly or not at all, as many people are allergic.  Bathing with a good quality bath soap is usually enough to leave a light scent.  Always use deodorant or antiperspirant.  Make sure you don’t smell like cigarette smoke.

Bags – Carry a portfolio or briefcase.  Do not bring a backpack or book bag.  Women should carry a small conservative purse with only the essentials.

Note on Clothing: You don’t have to spend a lot to look great.  If you’re unsure of current styles, check catalogs and online stores for ideas.  One of two outfits should be enough.  If you’re on a tight budget, consider shopping at Good Will, the Salvation Army, thrift shops, and consignment stores.  Use different accessories with each outfit to change the look of it.

Additional Suggestions – Hair should be styled and trimmed.  Don’t use unnatural hair colors or styles.  Men should be freshly shaven.  Women should wear minimal makeup that gives a natural look.  Cover tattoos whenever possible.  All accessories (purse, belt, shoes, etc.) should match.  Make sure that your breath is fresh, but don’t walk into the interview with gum or a mint in your mouth.

Basic Etiquette:

·         Show respect to everyone, whether it be the secretary or administrator.  Even if the person to whom you speak is not officially in charge of hiring, you can be certain that word of any rudeness or inattention will get back to the person in charge.

·         Always initiate a call or respond to a call by first stating your name.  Don’t assume that the other person will recognize your voice, even if he/she has spoken to you earlier in the day.  When making a call, say something like, “Hello, this is Elizabeth Jones.  I’m calling to…”  When answering a call, say something like, “Hello, Elizabeth Jones speaking,” or “Good afternoon.  This is the Jones residence.  How may I help you?”

·         Ask the caller for his/her name, even if it isn’t the person who does the hiring.  Then when you’re talking to the person, use his/her name in the conversation.  This demonstrates that you have taken a personal interest the caller and that you are paying attention. 

·         Keep a note pad and pen next to the phone.  That way you can jot notes as you’re talking.  At the close of the conversation “recap” what was said to avoid confusion.

·         If you are initiating the call, immediately state your purpose for calling after you have given your name.  Give a short summary of any previous communication, so that the other person can make the “connection.” 

·         If you are making the call, ask if this is a convenient time.  If not, ask for a convenient time to call back.

·         Do not eat or chew gum when talking on the phone.  If your mouth is dry, take a few small sips of water.

·         Put a “professional message” on your answering machine or voice mail.  Avoid messages such as, “Out partying right now.  Leave your number and I’ll get back to you when I’m sober.”  Use a message like “You have reached Elizabeth Jones.  I’m not available to take your call right now, so please leave your name, number and message after the beep.  I’ll return your call as soon as possible.”  Then make the return call within 24 hours.  Remember, the prospective employer might be calling other people the same day!

·         If other people live with you, make sure that they know how to answer the phone and take a message.  This is especially true if you have young children who may answer the phone. 

·         Keep your notes/files near to the phone in case you need to refer to them during your conversation.  That way you can quickly look up information that you may need during the conversation.

·         Speak at a moderate pace and enunciate clearly, so the other person can easily understand what you are saying.  Never interrupt the other person.

·         Give your undivided attention to the person on the other end of the line.  Turn off the TV or stereo, so there are no disrupting noises during your conversation.  If you are using your cell phone, make sure that you’re not making/taking the call in a public place.  For example, if you’re in a restaurant, excuse yourself and go outside to talk.  This shows respect for both the people you’re with and the person on the other end of the line.

·         Always end the conversation pleasantly by saying something like, “Have a nice day!”  Make sure that everything is clear and that you’ve provides all the necessary information.

·         When leaving messages, speak slowly.  Say and spell your name; repeat your name and telephone number to make sure that it is recorded correctly.  Keep your message as short as possible to avoid confusion.

·         Do not call too frequently.  If you become a “pest,” your application will go to the bottom of the pile.