We can assume that once you are in the 'hot seat' you are all prepared and ready for those interview questions. You know how important body language is and speaking clearly and confidently is a must. So what sort of questions could be asked? Have a look at these...
What kind of experience do you have to benefit this particular job?
The answer to this question lies in understanding the role when it is first described to you and taking the trouble to ask lots of questions about tasks involved. This opens the door for you to respond with suitable skills and experience showing you could accept the role with confidence.
How do you think you can transfer your skills into working within our school?
Having looked at our section 'For the Candidate' and further information about the school, think about the answer to this question in preparation for the interview.
Can you work well under pressure?
This is a closed question and can be a sign of an untrained interviewer. Use the opportunity to give a comprehensive but brief answer focusing on several clear-cut examples showing your ability to cope under pressure.
What is your greatest strength?
If you've done your homework before the interview, you would have several strengths to choose from. The obvious choice would be the strength which best suits the demands of the job.
What interests you most about this job?
Answering this question properly requires that you fully understand the job description, and if you ask plenty of questions then you should be able to respond with some specific explanations that show your enthusiasm.
What experience have you had with working with children?
It may be that you do not have experience of working with children, but you may like to think about this question and how you interact with children within your family or friends situations.
Why should we employ you?
Be careful not to answer with a broad description. Keep it brief and to the point. Each point should be a direct link between your skills and experience and the demands of the role.
Do you have any questions?
This is when you can breathe a sigh of relief, it usually means that the interview is coming to an end and if there's something you haven't yet had a chance to impress upon the interviewer, this is your chance.
Do you consider yourself a natural leader?
The ideal answer to this is 'yes', but in reality not all of us possess the confidence required to lead. You can substitute 'natural' with 'competent' or 'conscientious', focusing more on leading by example with good organisational and interpersonal skills. Most professional jobs require an element of leadership that you should be taking the trouble to cultivate, whether it comes naturally or not.
Tell me about yourself.
This can be a frustratingly open question. Aim to keep it professionally-orientated, specific to the characteristics that the interviewer may want to hear. A few personal attributes can also be mentioned, perhaps even with humour, this is a useful way of lightening the atmosphere of the interview and increasing your confidence. Although your objective is to show you've got the perfect profile to fulfil the role, the interviewer will be pleased to discover that you have an agreeable personality. You may also want to ask in which particular aspects of your background the interviewer is particularly interested.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
Answers to this should be job-related. Modesty should again be applied, hinting that your best work is yet to come. A big accomplishment doesn't need to be overly impressive, but rather show your competency. Efficiently managing a small team of diverse people, or ably dealing with a shortage of resources is an accomplishment that can be meaningful, but claiming your bit part in a huge project sounds fanciful and isn't likely to leave a favourable impression. Don't be hesitant or vague when answering this question. Show that you have a clear idea of your achievements to date.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
The obvious answer would be "part of the management team within your organisation'. We all know this may not necessarily be true, but the interviewer needs to know that your intentions are to move up the career ladder within the organisation. Be careful not to sound overly ambitious, the interviewer may be your future boss. The safest option is to modestly express your desire to grow with the organisation.
How long would you stay within this post?
You should emphasise your desire to settle down with the right employer and that you feel this is it. Alternatively, throw the question back at them: "Would this school be able to offer me a long term future?"
How do you handle criticism of your work?
Firstly, try to portray an attitude that all criticism has a benefit, and provides a chance for improvement.
Do you make your opinions known when you disagree with someone?
If you have previously successfully dealt with a situation like this where the process and outcome was very satisfactory to both parties, then mention these examples. Aim to show that you're a mature individual with the confidence and intelligence to approach your supervisor in private to discuss your objections in a constructive, calm manner.
What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
If you have properly understood the details of the job then try to answer with a unique combination of your skills/experience which others are unlikely to have.
Describe a difficult problem you've had to deal with?
Outline an example of your success in troubleshooting and organisation. It's always good to go into an interview armed with one of these. Clearly explain how you approached the problem, the result and how a difficult outcome was averted. This is a good opportunity to show that you have a positive attitude to all challenges, and that you were not discouraged or intimidated by the situation.
How do you handle tension?
The smart answer here is to explain how you avoid tension in the first place. Avoid a vague and simplistic answer like "Yes, I can handle tension". You might also want to mention what you do outside of work to reduce stress.
What are your pet hates on the job?
Be careful not to shoot yourself in the foot here. Keep this answer short and sweet, using words like 'challenge' rather than 'I hate'.
Do you prefer working with others or alone?
Answering this depends on the nature of the job you are going for, but team players are usually favoured, so it's best to show that you function well in both situations depending on the nature of the task.
What kind of people do you like to work with, or have difficulty working with?
Don't get into personal details here, just give a short, sweet and obvious answer that you prefer working with people who are motivated and have integrity and pride in their work.
What kind of decisions are most difficult for you?
A good answer is to mention that you have difficulty making a decision where there is insufficient knowledge or information at hand, and that you try to avoid such instances by taking the trouble to remain informed. Try to imagine what sort of decisions would frequently be made in the new role, and steer clear of mentioning any of these as 'difficult'.
I'm not sure you're suitable for the job
Don't let this trick question throw you. If they felt this, they would be terminating the interview. What the interviewer is in fact doing is giving you an opportunity to sell yourself and seal any doubt. Remain calm and re-emphasise several points that lend support to your suitability. Questions like these crop up towards the end of an interview and can make or break your case.
*These interview questions have been taken from professionalcv.co.uk and adapted for relevance for working with in a school