Seventeen Ideas on Interviewing for a Teaching Position

Having been a teacher for quite some time now, I have seen my fair share of bizarre moments and people. Whether it was the kid who ran across my classroom, jumped up onto the heating unit in front of the window, and yelled at the black birds out in the trees, only to jump back down, sit in his seat, and fall asleep, or the teacher who once raised a lobster as a class pet only to cook it at the end of the year and dine on it at his desk, I have seen it all.

But few oddities amaze me more than the people I have interviewed for teaching positions. These folks, walking into a situation where they know no one and into a place where first impressions are everything, make some of the most egregious errors in presentation and judgment I have ever encountered.

At least the students have an excuse. They're kids. They need to learn nearly everything life has to teach, so the weirdness is bound to occur. But with adults who want to teach these students, to enter an interview with such lack of preparation and poor decision making astounds me endlessly.

With this in mind, here's some simple advice on what not to do in an interview if you want to become a teacher.

1. Too relaxed or informal: It's better to be overly formal and tone it down once you read the room. It can't happen the other way.

2. Being defensive: No question is meant as an attack, so interpreting them and communicating a defensive attitude, even in the slightest way, is a considerable turn off.

3. Poor grammar: Speak properly and clearly. Using slang or any other non-standard terminology weakens you.

4. Inappropriate dress: What looks good at a nightclub is not going to fly in the principal's office. Conservative, safe choices are a must. Have them remember what you said, not what you were wearing.

5. Bragging: We all know you are there to sell yourself; it's the nature of an interview. But doing so with humility is critical. No one wants to work with arrogance.

6. Rehearsed answers: Prepare but don't memorize. Canned responses show the wrong idea. Sure you got ready, but can you really perform?

7. Excessive talking: Know when to end an answer and move on. Repetitive, drawn out responses allow your audience to fade, which is never a good idea.

8. Criticizing your old work place: You may think it sounds good, but you look like a complainer who has no loyalties.

9. Being too smart: The people in the room are seasoned, intelligent individuals, so there is no need to try and impress them with five dollar words. Trying to appear smart will backfire. Use the words that come naturally.

10. Educational trends: Being unaware of what is going on in the world of teaching and learning is critical. Not being able to engage in current conversation makes you look dated and/or ill-prepared.

11. Seeming inflexible: Have your convictions, but remain flexible to communicate the idea that your philosophies and ways are not the only ones.

12. Having no questions: At the end of an interview, candidates are always asked if they have any questions. Have some.

13. Saying what you think they want to hear: Crowd pleasers are unimpressive. Teachers need to be able to stand on their own and believe in something.

14. Personal hygiene: If you never brush your hair or wear deodorant, do so the day of the interview.

15. Piercing or tattoos: Cover them up. It doesn't matter if they are so cool, they won't be then.

16. Not knowing the school: Do your homework and understand the community you wish to join. Read and know the school's website, the mission statement, etc.

17. Blaming students: Never, and I mean never, blame students for poor performance. Take responsibility for the students and the class.

Overall, be prepared and real. Make sure you present yourself in a way that allows those people in the room to think you can stand in front of young people and inspire them. Do everything you can to be yourself, but hide the parts that come out on the weekends or while hanging with friends.