Teaching interviews might feel daunting but don't worry - with the right preparation, you can approach them with confidence. While each school's interview process varies, there are common elements you'll encounter in both primary and secondary settings. The focus will be on your teaching experience, training and how well you'll fit the school's ethos.
Remember, those pre-interview butterflies are perfectly normal! With solid preparation and planning, you'll be ready to showcase your skills and land that teaching role. Take time to review common interview questions for teachers to help boost your confidence.
Contents
- Key takeaways
- Essential skills teaching interviewers look for
- How to prepare for your teaching interview
- What to expect from your teaching interview day
- Top tips for success in teaching interviews
- After your teaching interview: Next steps
Key takeaways
- Teaching interviews typically include a combination of panel interviews, sample lessons and informal discussions
- Schools look for strong communication skills, classroom management abilities and genuine enthusiasm for teaching
- Thorough preparation, including researching the school and planning your sample lesson, is essential
- Being yourself and showing your authentic teaching style is just as important as demonstrating your professional knowledge
- Most schools make quick decisions - you'll usually hear back within 24 hours
Essential skills teaching interviewers look for
The interviewers you meet on the day will typically be looking for the following qualities during your time with them:
- Compelling communication skills to demonstrate that you can listen carefully and respond with thoughtful answers
- Inclusive social skills that show how you interact with students and staff
- Motivational abilities that reveal your engagement with students
- Proactive classroom management skills to show how you manage behaviour to enhance learning
- Professional knowledge and practical application of your subject in the classroom
- A genuine passion and dedication to teaching your subject
- Self-awareness and the capacity to assess your own areas of development
Plus, the ability to be empathetic and demonstrate patience are key skills any school will be hoping to find in a new teacher to support interactions with students and staff.
How to prepare for your teaching interview
Research the school
Good preparation will help calm your nerves and boost your confidence. Start by visiting the school's website to learn about their vision, mission and policies. This research helps you understand the school's priorities, which you can highlight during your interview.
Confirm and prepare
First, confirm your interview attendance with the school. Then, brush up on current educational trends - especially valuable if you're new to teaching or returning after a break. Review these common teacher interview questions to help you prepare.
Review your application and supporting letter carefully. Make note of your key strengths and prepare clear, detailed responses to likely interview questions.
Practical arrangements
Some candidates ask to visit the school beforehand or enquire about resources needed for their sample lesson. This shows initiative and helps you feel more prepared.
Get your documents ready the day before - including any ID or paperwork requested. Dress smartly and plan your journey to arrive with plenty of time to spare.
On the day
Ensure you're well-rested and calm. Be friendly with staff members - it shows you'll be a good fit for the team. If the conversation feels awkward, ask what they enjoy about working at the school or how they support teacher development.
What to expect from your teaching interview day
Every school will vary how they run teaching interviews, but in general, this is what you can normally expect from the interview day:
School tour
Some schools run a school tour right at the beginning for candidates or at some point during the day. Usually, you'll get to see parts of the school relevant to your subject and all the important places: the school office, canteen and reprographics.
You might be taken round on your own or with other candidates. Students may run the tour and it's a great way to hear about their experiences of the school. Treat this like part of your interview as the students will almost definitely be asked what they think of the candidates!
Panel interviews or Q&As
A panel interview typically lasts around 30-45 minutes and generally involves the headteacher, a teacher from the relevant department and a school governor. The panel will probably ask you questions about your previous experience, how you would like to develop your practice as a teacher and what value you can bring to the classes you teach.
Informal discussions
Chats or discussions can happen at any time with other members of school staff. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and show interest in the school and its students.
Teaching a lesson or part-lesson
If you're asked to teach a lesson, the school should provide you with information about the year group, specific class and topic to be taught. This will help you prepare the content of the lesson and any resources you need.
The school will be assessing how well you target content towards this set of students and how effectively you meet the lesson objectives. In your interview, you might be asked to evaluate how well your lesson went and what points you can take away for the future.
Group discussions
More common in secondary schools than primary schools, a group discussion may take place to evaluate how well you work in a group and the quality of your subject knowledge. Listening carefully to others, asking appropriate questions and involving yourself in the discussion are all helpful approaches.
Interview by pupils
Pupil interviews are now quite common in both primary and secondary schools. A prime time to interact with students to see if the school is a good fit for your teaching style. This will also help you get to know the pupils better and build rapport with them.
Presentations
If you're interviewing at a secondary school or for more senior roles, such as head of department, you may be asked to deliver a presentation. There is usually guidance given in the interview letter about what to include, but focusing on how you would like to create improvements in the school to match school objectives is a good place to start.
Written tasks
Some schools will ask you to complete a written task. This may help them to assess your subject knowledge or teaching skills. Try to apply your knowledge about current educational trends and priorities to support your application.
Top tips for success in teaching interviews
Planning and preparing are great places to start when it comes to your teaching interview. Here are a few top tips to help you build confidence and smash your interview:
- Go to bed early the night before, get some sleep and get up in time to prepare for your interview.
- Always plan your trip to the school beforehand so that you're not late.
- Research the school as this will help you discover their priorities and learn more about the place, its staff and students.
- Plan your interview lesson and bring all of your resources with you. Don't rely on glue sticks being available!
- Have a few key questions in your mind you can ask at the end of your interview or during chats and discussions to show how motivated you are.
The most important aspect - show interest and smile! Leaving a positive impression can make all the difference.
After your teaching interview: Next steps
Schools typically make quick decisions after teaching interviews - you'll usually hear back within 24 hours. If successful, you'll receive a formal job offer and contract, along with requests for essential paperwork like your degree certificate.
Whether successful or not, you should receive feedback about your interview performance. And remember - if you're offered the role but feel it's not quite right, it's best to be honest with the school straight away.
Best of luck with your interview!