Answering Questions in an Interview

Responding to questions in an interview can be nerve racking!!! No matter how much you prepare with sample questions, you are always to be sure to be asked a question that you never have heard of!! What do you do then? Or how do I answer questions about practices, when I just finished student teaching and have not had my own classroom?

1. You should respond to questions in an interview with answers that will reflect the practices that YOU want to put into place in your own classroom or setting. Do not answer questions with, "when I was student teaching, my supervising teacher did...." or "in the classroom that student taught in, we used this behavior management system." Review how YOU will set up your classroom management system, how YOU will create a balance literacy program in your classroom, how YOU will set up labs in middle school science and how YOU will assess students in U.S. History.

2. It you are unclear of the question being asked, ask for clarification, rather than answering in a vague manner or misunderstanding the question being asked.

3. Know your audience -- if you are in a group interview with principals, teachers, and parents, be sure that you are able to address the question for a variety of the audience.