Interview Questions
Interview Questions
Job interviews are usually prepared to determine whether the employer and employee will make an effective match. For Interview’s validity questions should be asked from experience so that the information to select the best candidate for the post is easily gotten. Moreover, when this criterion is used biased questions, for instance, concerning age, race are avoided. Applicants will be assured an equal opportunity to prove that they are competent and have the required skills for the job. It is during an interview that the candidate exhibits his or her communication skills in building rapport with the hiring manager, which improve the chance of getting the job (Dixon, 2015).
Questions asked by the principal and members of the management team
This question is relevant because it requires the interviewee to say what ideally fits his or her work experience, skills and qualifications in the vacancy available. Hence, how they will be able to contribute to the organization at large.
What do you know about this school?
This question is important because it means that the interviewer is sincerely interested in the group and the job on offer.
Why did you decide to take teaching as your preferred career?
This question assists the interviewers to assess the level of interest that the interviewee has on the particular job that is offered.
How do you think you can make better development plans in the school?
This question is important because it shows how the applicant is visionary and if he or she is innovative enough to help in the development of the school.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This question will help the principal and members of the management team what the interviewee can do and not do.
How do you think your current managers and workmates would describe you?
This interview question will require interviewee to explain how he or she relates to other people and work; hence, will he or she be able to interact effectively with the team.
Questions asked by teachers on the interview panel
What new teaching methods have you successfully used in your past career?
This question is relevant to show the level of experience the interviewee and whether he or she will be implicit better methods of teaching that will help the school.
Which subjects do you enjoy teaching a) the most and b) the least?
This interview question is not important because the interviewer already has a specialized subject to teach. By asking what subject he or she enjoys teaching the list will just be downgrading her potential as a qualified teacher. Therefore, it should be eliminated.
How would you deal with indiscipline students during a class?
This question is to assess the ability of the teacher to have control over his or her classroom and instill discipline in the students at large.
Give an example of how you use technology to enhance your teaching?
This interview question assesses how the interviewee is good at technology, and how he or she will use to make the learning of the students more effective than it already is.
Questions asked by the Human Resource manager.
What contributions would you give this school?
This question is important because it shows how the applicant is visionary and if he or she is innovative enough to help in the development of the school.
What training and development opportunities have you taken part into a date?
This question assesses his or her ability and level of training achieved and the development opportunities that can be beneficial to the school system.
What are your career plans for the next a) five years and b) ten years?
This question will evaluate whether or not the interviewer is willing to grow with the institution in talent development.
What kind of support would you like the school to provide if your application is successful?
The applicant will be assured that his or her welfare will be well catered for if he or she gets the job. They will also feel like their ideas will always be heard which makes them stick in that job for long (Watkin & Vincent, 2012, p. 175). It will also help the hiring manager in assessing the character of the applicant whether they are materialistic and highly self-centered.
Questions asked by students
What are the characteristics of an effective teacher?
This question is vital as it will summarize for the hiring manager and principal what they are to expect from the applicant if they grant him or her job.
How would you support students who find your subject difficult?
Such a question will measure how responsible the applicant can be in their work. It will also show how confident the teacher is when it comes to teaching skills and experience.
How would you make an exciting learning environment for the students in the classroom?
For one to be in a good position to answer the above question, then they must have been teaching and know which strategy best works and under which circumstances does it work. So this query will be testing on how inventive the applicant can be in managing the environment when they are in class.
How would you develop a strong relationship with new groups of students?
Relevance to this question is that it will exhibit how interested and considerate the applicant can be in their work. It will show the ability of the teacher to socialize with the students who might at times be notorious.
Are you familiar with any of school activities or clubs? What are they?
This is the question that is to disclose the difference between the applicants. It might be that all the applicants are all well competent with their work, but the one who did participate in other activities apart from the co-curriculum activities has much suited the job (Yate, 2013). This is because a teacher that is good in for instance games is liable to nurture students into being great athletes. The question is, therefore, crucial in helping the hiring manager assign the applicant their appropriate duties in the after school activities if they get the job.
Additional questions
How do you handle stress and pressure?
The candidate should be asked what they do when things are not going smoothly in class. And it is likely that the response will be of how they would handle stress in a previous job. It is of great importance for the administration to know how the applicant will be reacting when things go wrong.
What amount of salary are you seeking?
Although in the long run the employee and employer agree on a reasonable amount, it is, however worthwhile to ask the candidate to price themselves. And if the amount they suggest is fair paying them that will be a motivating factor.
What makes you more preferred than other candidates for this vacancy?
What makes the candidate unique? This is an assessment of the applicant’s character, experiences, and skills.
Have you ever had any conflict with a manager at your workplace? How was it resolved?
This question is relevant as it shows how the candidate behaviorally reacts to conflict and what they do to work out the dispute.
What brings about success at this position and this school?
This question shows applicant’s interest in being successful and how far they will go to reach it.
References
Dixon, D. A. (2015). How to Nail the Job Interview. The ASHA Leader, 20(5), 32. doi:10.1044/leader.scm.20052015.32
Watkin, S. L., & Vincent, A. (2012). The consultant interview (1st ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Yate, M. J. (2013). Knock 'em dead job interview: How to turn job interviews into job offers. Avon, MA: Adams Media.
