Are You Ready To Land Your Dream Teaching Job?
It’s crazy to believe that we are already heading into the season of the contract renewal. Will you be renewing your contract or are you open to finding a new position?
This is a BIG deal, especially this year. So many teachers are considering taking on new positions next year whether it be in a new district or within their current buildings.
How about you? Will you be in the market for taking on a new role in education? Are you wondering right now what that would even look like? Does the thought of looking for a new job scare you to death?
Well, you have once again come to the right place! We are going to give you our best interview tips and tricks so you can lock down that dream job! It’s out there waiting for you, you just have to go and get it.
So let’s jump in and get you started on the path you’re meant to be doing.
The Importance of First Impressions
First up, let’s talk about how to dress. According to Forbes.com, people will have a firm impression of who you are within 7 seconds of meeting you. Um, how quick and crazy is that? So with that in mind, you for sure want to dress the part and look professional.
When you are wearing the clothes that make you feel confident, then you will begin to radiate confidence! We can’t tell you how many teachers stood out to us in interviews, just because of their level of confidence.
The Money Wise Teacher has even created a list of 20 stores that offer clothing discounts to teachers. Shop smart and ask for discounts. You would be amazed at the stores willing to give you 10% off just because you mention you’re a teacher.
Dress the part and feel into it.
Be Prepared
Now that you know that you have to find a professional looking style for your dream interview, let’s talk about how to mentally prepare for your big day.
Of course, you’ll want to do some research about the school and/or district you’ll be applying to for next year. Be familiar with the mission, any key activities the school may participate in (such as One Book, One School), and extracurriculars that are offered.
You don’t have to overkill the time you spend on researching the school, but be able to bring up specific points when you interview. Oh, and if you happen to interview for a school that doesn’t have a website, you might consider asking if you can spend part of a day in the building to get the feel for the school climate.
Keep in mind that you are interviewing the school just as much as the school is interviewing you. Pay attention to the vibes you’re picking up because more than likely they are trying to tell you something.
Game Time!
Obviously, an interview would not be complete without answering some questions. Whether you are going into year 15 or year 1, we all have to go through the same process. Instead of dreading it and psyching yourself out, try to simply have fun with the experience. Easier said than done we know, but over time you’ll see you’ll get better.
Here are a couple of websites that might come in handy as far as preparing to answer teacher interview questions:
Indeed.com - This site provides questions and sample answers.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/teacher-interview-questions?aceid=
Teachercatapult.com - 88 practice questions for different categories.
https://www.teachercatapult.com/teacher-interview-questions/
Educationtothecore.com - Great coaching resource.
https://educationtothecore.com/2021/03/20-interview-questions-that-new-teachers-want-to-prepare-for/
What’s even better is if you have a question or aren’t sure how to answer something, then jump into a Facebook group and ask there. The online world of educators is always so helpful in solving problems.
Finally, if you are landing your first ever teaching position with only student teaching as your teaching experience, don’t freak out. We all had to start at year 1 and you are no different. We suggest getting into Facebook groups and literally searching for “teacher job interview tips.” You will be amazed at what comes up for you. Also, keep reading for a special treat we are offering K-3 teachers this year!
Did you know that if you are a K-3 teacher you can send a DM to @lessonplantoolbox and schedule a mock teacher interview?
Yes, you read that correctly. We are going to be offering mock teacher interviews for K-3 educators to help prepare you for your big day. With our administrative background, we will be able to give you personalized helpful hints and tips to boost your confidence. WINNER! WINNER!
This is our first time ever making this offer, so be sure to DM today as times are sure to fill up quickly. We will do whatever we can to serve primary educators and landing that dream job is the first step to career happiness.
Top-Secret Tip To Why We Chose Teachers For The Job:
Here is our top-secret tip as to why certain teachers land jobs over other teachers: C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-C-E!
Yes, it really does come down to confidence in many cases.
You see, every teacher is going to be asked the same questions and although they will each have their own experiences, it is the vibe that the person gives off while going through the process that truly can nail the interview.
This is especially true when the admin or board has the list narrowed down and needs to think of what made a person stand out.
If you have that confidence, then sprinkle it EVERYWHERE!
Also, and this one may seem rather obvious, but if you know someone in a building or district then reach out to that person for a referral. Districts and admins love being able to hire teachers that come highly recommended by people they know, because the teacher they already hired knows the job and what is expected. More than likely, the candidate they are referring will be aware of all of this and is up to accept the task at hand.
Most Importantly, Be YOU!
We can’t stress this point enough: be Y-O-U! You were made to teach. You were meant to be at this interview gaining the experience and deciding if it is a good fit for you.
Be authentic. If you don’t know an answer or don’t have the experience to relate to yet, then be honest. Share what you do know, but avoid making up answers because you think that’s what the interview team wants to hear.
Here’s the thing, if a school or district doesn’t hire you after you did the best you could with answering questions and providing examples of experiences, then you simply weren’t meant for that job. There is something BETTER out there waiting for you.
As teachers, we so often take everything to heart with our jobs that we get stuck in our heads and play mind games with ourselves. What good does this do? Is it going to change the outcome? Nope. It’s just going to make you more intimidated for your next interview.
So instead of thinking you’re not good enough, (when we can promise you that you are) try choosing the mindset of “That didn’t go well, but here’s what I learned…” and see how your energy shifts.
There is definitely a position out there waiting for you to find it. Don’t give up. Get back on the saddle and try again.
Think Out Of The Box
Finally, try to be open to thinking out of the box when it comes to accepting a position. Widen your radius or possibly even consider relocating. Keep in mind that you need to consider the cost of gas, time spent commuting, and the wear and tear on your car. If all of these factors seem manageable, then go for it!
There are also plenty of online options available for teachers. Outschool is a great opportunity to teach a topic you love. This would also be a great opportunity to gain experience if you’re just starting out. K12.com and Tutor.com are both great options for a virtual teaching experience.
Last but not least, you might even try getting hired in a private school. Yes, public school teachers definitely have higher salaries than private school teachers, but this can be a great option for starting a career. Work in a private school for a couple of years to gain experience, and after 2 or 3 years, start working towards making the shift into a public school district. Now, you will have had your own classroom and experiences to share during your interview.
What’s Next?
We are so excited for you to find that dream job! Whether you are in year 1 or 21, it is out there waiting for you. Go after it!
~Be sure to send us a DM on Instagram (@lessonplantoolbox) to schedule your mock interview.
~Continue to work on Instilling The Calm In Your Classroom with some of the ideas posted from last week.
~If you are still working on time management, then you need the Lesson Plan Toolbox Planner to get you moving in the right direction.
~Know you’re always welcome to join the Lesson Plan Toolbox Community. We would love to have you and guide you on your teacher journey.
Until next week…
Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
Lesson Plan Toolbox, LLC
