It’s a good idea to prepare for interviews before you’re called for one. Being prepared for the interview creates a favorable impression on your potential employer and will considerably reduce your stress levels before the interview.

When applying for a teaching position, you may encounter two types of interviews:

1. Online Interviews
An online interview is typically a preliminary set of screening questions. The online interview usually must be completed before being called for an in-person interview.

When completing an online interview, it is important that you take your time, proofread, and double-check that you have filled everything out correctly. You don’t want a minor mistake you get in the way of moving forward toward your dream job!

2. In-Person Interviews
An in-person interview is a face-to-face interview with an interviewer or team of interviewers. In-person interviews may be conducted by one or more administrators, a team of teachers, a combination of teachers and parents, or any arrangement of these.

Irrespective of the type of interview panel, it’s imperative to make a good first impression. A good interview suit is an excellent place to start. Interviewers also look for self-confidence, enthusiasm, poise, the ability to think and act quickly, appropriate grammar and a well-developed vocabulary, as well as clear and confident speech and diction.

The impression you make is often created by your personality traits, manners, and appearance, some of which may not be under your direct control. However, you can be prepared to answer questions typically asked by interviewers. Thoroughly research the school, making a visit to the school and speaking to experienced teachers who have been working at the school for a number of years. Prepare a series of questions to ask these teachers to allow you to get a good idea of the school environment as a whole. Familiarize yourself with the school goals, missions, and activities by browsing their Web site and by searching in local newspapers or at the local library. Apply your research findings to the questions typically asked by interviewers.