So your application was successful and you are on to the next step – the interview.
In this blog I will outline what an interview may involve and a few tips to support you. To read more about international school teaching jobs interviews, check my guide, ‘The Application Process’. In this chapter I speak about recruitment fairs, school tours and more. Here I will talk about just the basic interview. All quotes used in this blog are taken from my guide.
First Steps
So you may or may not have been refreshing your inbox during this cycle, but be aware, you are not alone in this if you do! Your first feeling when seeing the email, should this have been an application for a school you really wanted, will likely be elation, but pretty soon worry/fear my creep in.
Upon receipt of the email reply politely and promptly to accept, or respectfully request a different time. Do not worry if you need to do this, as schools know you need to honour work commitments. Don’t be afraid to ask any further questions about the interview here (format, who will be leading, etc.).
Your interview will likely be online. If they do request that you to attend a face-to-face interview, it it is important to you check whether transportation/hotel will be re-imbursed.
Preparation
Bring out all your old research notes that you made when researching the school and print out your application. Read over these. Check if there have been any SM school updates, as knowing about current events shows you are interested.
Format
With an online interviewing, you will likely have at least two interviews. The first can be called a quick ‘chat’, but this is actually a check to see if you are suitable, so prepare well! The second interview may be directly with the principal or involve the team you will work with. A final interview (which may well be the third) is likely to be by the head of the school. More recently, well-established schools tend to have a first screening interview, where you answer questions via a computer program. These questions are often sent to you first.
Tips
“Have a few questions prepared to show that you have researched the school well. Further, during the interview you can have a list of key words/comments you wish to mention within view (placed at the left or right of the screen so you do not need to look down.” (2021, p.64)
Smile, and “ensure that you sell yourself, as you would do a CV…look professional and dress exactly as you would in a face-to-face interview” (2021, p.64)
Look into the STAR method for constructing your replies to questions – you must evidence the change you have made and how it impacted learners. You mustn’t simply list all your accomplishments but weave supporting evidence into you answers.
Questions you could be asked at interview
- Tell me about your career to date
- Why do you want to work at our school?
- Tell me about your best lesson
- What can you bring to our school?
- How do you support learners with additional needs?
“In interview, try to remain calm when asked questions and give yourself time to think. If you are unsure what you are being asked, or need more time, ask the interviewer to repeat the question or rephrase it.” (2021, p.65)
Questions to ask at interview
Here are a small selection of ideas for what you may ask:
- What is the current focus of the school?
- What are the standards of behaviour?
- What is Professional Development in your school?
- What are the demographics of the school and the language background of pupils and staff? (especially relevant if you have children you wish to attend)
- What are the requirements in terms of extra-curricular activities, meetings and weekend work?
When in interview, remember this is a discussion. You need to be sure this is a school you want to be working for and your interview is the place to find out if you are good match.
And finally – “Show enthusiasm for information the interviewer shares and you can ask further questions to clarify what they share with you.” (2021, p.66)
Ways to connect with me:
Via LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-gosling
Via X @jessgosling2
Via Instagram @internationalteachertravel
Via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/newtointernationalschoolteachers/
Website: http://www.jessgoslingearlyyearsteacher.com
Purchase my book,
Gosling (2021), Becoming a Successful International Teacher. DLA Press, Taipei.
New to International Teaching with Jess Gosling 