Interview Preparation

[Guest]

A couple of weeks ago I wrote asking advice about writing a supporting letter. Well thanks for the advice. I've now got an interview pending! I'm not really sure how to prepare for this. Has anyone got recent experience they could share, good ideas about questions that come up, how to prepare, etc. I'd be really grateful for any inspiration. Thanks and Happy Easter to everyone!

AOB

[Guest]

If they sent you a job spec then the questions will be relating to that????

 

Well done and good luck.

Edited April 4, 2007 by Guest

[Guest]

Hi AOB

What is the job for and when is the interview?

Linda

[Guest]

Thanks Shelley1, maybe the questions a bit of a no brainer, but distant memories of interviews long ago in other types of jobs are looming in my mind.....along the lines of 'what are the most important things you have achieved in your life so far? etc Good advice though to trawl through all the stuff they have sent and come up with thoughts on all that.

 

Linda, Its a class teacher/FSC job. Interview on 27th April.

 

AOB

[mundia]

Good luck AOB, definitely look at the person spec and also consider anyhting you might have picked up on a visit to the school. Read the latest OFSTED, I'm just in the process of applying for a job in school where FS provisions came out as unsatisfactory and so I can see already what they may be looking for. (if the last OFSTED was too long ago it may not be helpful but its always worth a look.)

 

If its a manging role, Im pretty confident there will be questions about teamwork, and management of staff especially TAs, and how you might deal with certain situations, eg difficult to manage staff or relationships between staff. As its so very high on agenda, you may also be asked about the teaching of early reading and what your thoughts are on that, especially if this happens to be an issue in the school. You may also be asked for your views on the profile, the relationship between formal teaching and child initiated play, how you see the role of parents and how you would move the team onwards.

 

One question that floored me some years ago, was after looking around a school, they asked me, what would I change from what Id seen... I wasn't prepared for that then, although I am always now but have never been asked it since.

 

Do let us know wont you?

[Guest]

Thanks for all of that Mundia. I've been through the OFSTED report, which was very positive for the FS, though it was done in 2004. Part of the process will also be the Head Teacher coming to see me teach my own class. I don't have a date for that yet, but am assuming it will be some time during the first week back. I guess that's a positive as at least I will be seen in a familiar setting and able to interact with children I know really well! It will be the start of a new topic, the Three Little Pigs, it's one that always goes down well with the children. Hopefully lots of opportunities to show off great cross curricular learning and linked self-initiated work from the children. Part of me wishes I were feeling supremely confident, but another part says it's normal to have butterflies and that all I can do is give it my best shot! Thanks again for your ideas and support.

 

AOB

[Guest]

Just wanted to wish you the best of luck for the interview.

 

Peggy

[Susan]

Good luck AOB.

 

You've plenty of time to prepare although Im not sure if that is good or not!?

 

Make sure you know what you said in your application--they may ask you to expand on something there but at least you know they liked what you said about yourself enough to take the time to interview you.