Today I am so excited to chat with my friend and an esteemed colleague in the education world, Carrie Conover. Carrie has done it all–from working for ten years in Chicago public schools, to working for an Ed Tech start up, to creating her own company, educators2educators–a platform that highlights other educators and what they can share with teachers nationwide.
Today, I have asked Carrie to share with you her best tips on how to set yourself up for success during your next teaching interview. With spring right around the corner, some of you might be peeking at openings in other districts or positions, and even if not, it never hurts to be prepared because you just never know when your dream job could pop up. The tips she shares are golden, so grab your notepad and let’s dive in!
Presence is Key
You only get one first impression, and Carrie shares several strategies for making it count. According to Carrie, a woman who has applied for countless jobs since age 15 and only been turned away once, energy is everything. And, as much as we might not think it should matter, what you wear does makes a difference. Finally, create an elevator “about me” speech. Keep it short, sweet, and throw in a personal touch, but don’t ramble. If the interview committee wants to know more, they’ll ask.
Study the Job Description
Carrie also recommends becoming an expert on the job you want as well as the school you want to work for. Know their mission and vision, and be prepared to explain how you can enhance it. Write down and practice sharing stories from your teaching experience that will align with common interview questions–no matter how much or how little experience you have. This kind of intentional preparation will pay off, not only because you’ll ace the interview questions, but also because you will enter and speak with confidence.
Think Before You Speak
Carrie shares some pretty hilarious stories about teaching candidates oversharing in the worst way possible during an interview. Don’t be one of those people. According to Carrie, you don’t need to have all the answers, and silence isn’t the enemy in an interview. Take your time, speak with sincerity, and if you need a minute to process a question, ask the interviewers to come back to it. Honesty truly is the best policy! You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to be a person that the interview committee can envision working with.
Finally, Carrie asks all teachers to keep in mind that interviewing is a two-way street. You’re interviewing the school and district you’ve applied for, too. You need to be able to envision yourself working there, so be on the lookout for any red flags that make you question if a position is right for you. Carrie shares some amazing examples of what these might look like, and so much more in our interview.
Listen in, and find more from Carrie Conover at educators2educators.
Today you will hear:
- [01:35] Carrie Conover’s professional background
- [05:35] Carrie’s first tip for nailing an interview
- [12:51] Carries second piece of advice to interview with confidence
- [15:55] Carrie’s final tip for interviewing success
- [21:20] Red flags to look out for as you consider whether or not you want a position
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