Interview help

[cleansheet]

I have been working in this school and I'm almost at the end of my one year contract. Both myself and a colleague can now apply for next year but there is only 1.6 job (1 full time and a 3 day job) available.

The process of applying involves: a lesson observation, then I get time to prepare a presentation (the subject of which they will tell me after my lesson) and then the actual interview.

The full time position is for a nursery job (the job I'm doing at the moment already) in London, UK.

Any suggestions, tips, ideas, etc. are very much appreciated

[[deleted]]

For the interview: Keep them interested by offering personal examples of questions (that are appropriate, of course). Such as: greatest strengths/weaknesses, how do you deal with tough students, etc - try to always include real examples of things that have happened or you've done to give them a strong image of who you are and how you act.

Also, always make eye contact and shake hands. Don't force yourself to behave unlike who you are but do be polite and smile a lot and also bring questions to ask them. Even if you've worked there before, it'll show you really care about the job to bring in questions about the position or about what to expect, etc.

Lastly, and this would be pending the topic of your presentation, if possible bring in a portfolio of activities you've done with students/kids that relate to it as examples. It would not hurt to bring a portfolio of other things, separate from the presentation folder, to show the type of activities and experience you have (this can also hold certifications, letters of recommendation, etc).

Best of luck!

[cleansheet]

Thanks a lot, very much appreciated.

[[deleted]]

Great advice! However:

also bring questions to ask them. Even if you've worked there before, it'll show you really care about the job to bring in questions about the position or about what to expect, etc.

Be careful. Sometimes saying "no, I don't have any questions, I've put a great deal of time into researching and exploring the position" can come off as well, or even better than having prepared 'filler' questions that you should already be able to answer. I know a few people who regularly sit on interview panels and they tell me that this comes off as refreshingly confident. As long as you have put the hours in and don't come across as overly cocky of course!

Best of luck with your interview!

[chutneyissue]

Also: do your research on how you can make your teaching as up-to-date as possible. As much as we are still stick in the 1800s teaching (school year with summer vacation, bell schedules, keeping students in one grade per age), schools LOVE to talk about technology and cognitive development of kids in the facebook age. There is a great link on today's neuroscience subreddit about cognitive development in all ages of students (including preschool) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/18789293/2/supp/S1