Tips: What Not to Do

My past few blog posts have given tips on questions and scenarios you may run into when interviewing for a teacher or education position. I wish to continue this trend, but this time around, I would like to share some things you should not do when going for an interview. Most of these examples come from those in the education field who have seen these things happen, so they are based in real life stories.

Dress the Part

Be sure when you go for the interview that you dress the part and look your best. Street clothes, or clothes that might be fine when you go "clubbing," are most likely not appropriate for a teacher interview. One interviewer reported a candidate came in wearing leopard pants and a tank top. It is always a safe bet to dress more conservatively in clean, well cared for clothing. It is always better to over-dress than to under-dress.

Skipping the Research?

I have suggested more than once in past posts just how important it can be to do a litle homework and research the school district to which you are seeking a position. If you do not take the time to do it, you may end up looking very unprepared, and it could easily cost you the position to someone who took the time to do so. The more knowledge you can gain about the school district, the local reading score, attendance, extra curricular activities offered, the textbooks used, the surrounding issues, the neighborhood, and some of the issues within the school that you may come face-to-face with, the better prepared you will be to have intelligent discussion with the interviewer. This will allow a more meaningful discussion, and provides you with additional ways you can sell yourself by sharing your experience with things that are offered in that district. Much of this can be found on the school websites nowadays, but sometimes asking around and making calls may be required to find out even more information.

This is connected to another aspect that has turned off administrators; the lack of a candidates asking detailed and relevant questions applicable to the position and school district.

Continuing to Learn?

If you were asked what applicable educational courses or books you have recently studied, how would you answer? Have you continued to stay up on the latest educational advances or trends, or do you rest on what you learned in college, and just get by? Many administrators want to see that you still have the drive to push and learn yourself, and grow with the education market as it evolves around you. Continuing your personal education is also a great way to advance up the ladder to higher positions. Don't be content with what you know, but apply yourself to learn more to go further in your career.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Education Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.