Succeeding in the interview

If you've secured an interview, it means the prospective employer sees you as a good match for the job vacancy, so be confident!

There are several things you can do before the interview to give you the best possible chance of getting the job.

Research

Research the position, and know a bit about the school and/or school district's unique needs. Taking a look at the company website can provide useful information for the interview.

Know your resume

It's likely that the interviewers will want to discuss your resume, so make sure it's fresh in your mind.

Identify questions areas

Think about the questions that you're likely to be asked, so you can mentally prepare yourself. For example, if you've been working as an accountant for the past 10 years and have now decided to become a teacher, you can bet that you'll be asked your reasons behind the career change.

Rehearse

Rehearsing with a friend or family member is a great way to soothe pre-interview nerves. In fact, do it! It will not only build confidence and communication skills but will also help you get your thoughts straight.

Your rehearsal partner can tell you if you're speaking too quickly, if your sentences are too long or your answers hard to follow.

Don't get mad at your rehearsal partner when they raise improvement points. They're on your side, remember?

Prepare some questions

Prepare some questions for the interview. Sound questions could include who you will be reporting to, questions about the team you would be joining, career path options, projects you could be working on, etc. Salary and benefits questions are best avoided in your first interview.

Prepare examples

Being able to provide examples to back up your claims is extremely important. If you describe yourself as 'organised', you should be able to provide examples from your career or personal life where you have demonstrated this quality.

During the interview

Demonstrate a positive attitude. Try not to say negative things about your previous job, employer, or manager.

Respond to the information provided by your interviewers. If you're interested in a subject that's been raised in the interview, don't be afraid to ask questions.