How to Interview for education and school leadership jobs
Interviewing for a school administration position can be a challenge.
A person in an administration position has to take on more responsibility than ever before. The extra demand comes from many things such as government standards set for schools and budgetary issues along with dealing with parents, teachers and staff. The school board and other officials in the division look for someone who can handle the responsibility.
With that in mind, preparation is the key in having a successful interview.
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Things You'll Need
- an interview for a school administration position
- A master's or doctorate degree
Instructions
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**Highlight your qualifications**
Highlight your qualifications during the interview. If you have had any leadership roles as a teacher or administrator give emphasis on those skills during the interview.
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**Discuss unique situations**
Tell the human resource director and school board officials what you have done uniquely and what you have been able to contribute to a school system in the past. This will help you stand out among your competition.
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**Talk about handling difficult situations**
Tell the interviewer about times when you effectively handled difficult situations whether it be classroom management or curriculum and instruction. Administrators almost always handle difficult situations.
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**Discuss what's new**
Discuss also during the interview what types of committees you have
been on. Talk about types of work that you helped spearhead throughout the division whether it be a new technology program or a new after school program. -
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**Handle difficult questions**
If you are asked a seeming difficult question, try to answer it as best that you can. Such a question may arise like: Have you worked with an academically poor school. Now, if you have not been a leader to help an academically poor school to succeed that is o.k. You could answer by discussing a similar situation. You may answer this way: No, but I did have a class that did not perform as well as a whole. I worked through that by giving the students assessment tests to see what areas they were weak in. Also I paired a few stronger students with the weak ones so that they could team together. That way the successful students could help their struggling peers.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that most administration positions require that you have a master's degree and some prior education experience.
Remember to relax during the interview.
Engage in conversation during the interview do not just simply answer questions briefly without elaborating.
Always ask questions at the end of the interview when you want to gain more information about the position.
Avoid conversation about past experiences in leadership roles that made you look like you were too authoritative and neglected to listen to suggestions from others. No one likes a bully.
Avoid bad mouthing a student, an administrator, or former employer during the interview.
Resources
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