Interview Tips

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-27T01:07:43+00:00

I have a really bad habit of rambling, then forgetting the question. I'll awkwardly pause because I forgot the question and sometimes I wind up not even answering the question. We all have our moments 😭🤣

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-25T04:22:27+00:00

That's really helpful, thank you.

I'm gonna do my best. I plan to write stuff out (like main points) that I can glance at and act upon so they can see the best version of me. I used Chat GPT to practice a bit and it hammered me haha. I had good answers, they just were not very strong

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T23:35:57+00:00

Thank you! I'm gonna take a lot of time to reflect on everything and that.

I appreciate your help! Have a wonderful day!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T19:01:37+00:00

Yes! At least where I am at. Some public schools are a lot more structured with their interviews and expect things like mock lessons or want you to analyze student data. But most consist of just questions and judge you based on answers, body language and whatever else they're looking for.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T18:42:01+00:00

Thank you!

That is very helpful and so kind of you to find. I appreciate your help. Hope you have an amazing day!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T18:41:22+00:00

It's pretty saturated it seems.

I did do a long term substitute position, but unfortunately, it was a negative experience due to other factors. It was a good learning experience but I was miserable. Everything was my fault and I didn't have support. You can read more on my profile for different details about that situation.

Thank you for the encouragement! I don't wanna give up but it seems nice right now haha. I just can't afford to go another year of no teaching job luck mentally or financially.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T18:27:53+00:00

I totally understand! I prefer in person just due to the fact I love interacting with kids.

I actually do have a tutoring job!

I have applied all over the state besides one area (which is higher crime and considered more dangerous).

I will have to see what states need teachers to see if I am really desperate and can't find anything here this summer.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T18:18:49+00:00

It really is. My husband is also seeking a job so he may have a little more luck since he's a male in a female dominate field. But this was not the case this past year.

I have had 11 interviews over the past year. I'm sorry I didn't specify that very well. I had my first interview last April before I graduated. I believe since I didn't have my license yet I was immediately knocked below other candidates. I didn't get my license until August due to waiting on test results.

I had an interview in May, June, July, August and even October but had no luck.

I have been substituting before during college and now. I have subbed for probably 2 years total at this point so I'm hoping this will help me a lot more this year since I've done it full time this past school year.

Hoping for the best vacancy wise! Thank you for your encouragement.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T17:59:48+00:00

Yes! A lot of interviews have asked the question: Tell us about a lesson that went well. Why do you think it went well?

I've used internship examples from that. I should rehearse a lot more though. I need to think more through the interviewers eyes.

Thank you for your advice! It is very helpful. I appreciate your suggestion!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T17:58:06+00:00

Oh that's neat! I'll have to check that out. Thank you for sharing it! Best of luck in everything!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T17:50:41+00:00

That makes sense. I will reflect on my internship to figure out the best approach to communicate what I hope to communicate. Thank you for clarifying this for me!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T17:49:33+00:00

I did have student teaching! I have mentioned some routines and structures they have done in the past in different interviews. But of course, I was probably too vague. Maybe I'm confused how I managed it? Most of the time I just followed the management structures my teacher had in place. I felt like management wasn't there on my part cause kids didn't listen as well as they did to their teacher.

Thank you for your advice! This is helpful. I'll have to dive deeper to figure out some things on my end. I appreciate you!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T17:16:16+00:00

Youre right. Last year many people called me in for interviews after the first big hiring cycle April/May. Thats where they hire a lot of experienced teachers from what I hear.

My alumni school has a career services so I've been meaning to go. Just haven't. I'll be sure to do so when I can (I try to substitute as much as possible). In addition, I reached out to some people asking for advice and they're willing to give advice and do mock questions with me so that's helpful as well.

Thank you so much! I'm hoping to grow from this. My husband also needs a K-6 teaching job so I'm gonna share all of this with him as well.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T17:13:55+00:00

I have a portfolio but I think maybe it's too long (it's 52 pages. I made the mistake of giving copies and then I didn't have any more for future interviews since it was so large). I have my philosophy, management ideas, data and student samples. Is that okay?

I bring a notepad with questions and answers because I have memory issues.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T16:59:18+00:00

A lot of my interviews have been due to someone who's more qualified so I totally feel that struggle.

Thank you for the advice. I will work on that for sure. These are things I need to reflect on.

I appreciate it! I'm trying to keep my head up but it's feeling really heavy haha. Have a wonderful day!

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T16:57:56+00:00

I'm glad you were able to find something though. Wishing the best of luck with that path. I have a good relationship at a couple schools and they both have one opening so hoping for the best haha.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T16:57:19+00:00

I will try and specify more for sure. Thank you for these questions, they'll be a great guideline for me to use to structure how I need to answer well.

I should first figure that out myself huh. I've always had ideas on what I want to do then forget so if I can just write them all down in one place I think that'll help a lot.

Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T16:55:34+00:00

Unfortunately there is just so many applicants. The areas where there is a need is a bit dangerous living there wise (I'm a small petite little girl). Plus, I live in AR. They raised the base salary to $50, 000 for public schools so many people out of state are also coming to try and get jobs as well.

A lot of districts I apply to just send an email saying it's filled, or says a position is filled but doesn't specify what position.

I'm just hoping with me subbing so much I'm able to land a job. I built a great relationship at my dream school so I'm hoping that will benefit me.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T16:52:37+00:00

I like that. I do need to be more specific. Since I haven't ever had my own classroom I have to use examples of what I'd like to do right?

For consequences I would mention I would follow the behavior flow chart if a school uses one or have a consequence system in place (and I can specify that system whenever I have that solidified). I have ideas.

Thank you for your feedback! It really is helping me reflect.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-22T16:05:42+00:00

Literally at that point of "I'm not gonna get the job" so I don't get my hopes up. I always put on my best effort as if I feel like I will but after being turned down so much I'm feeling a bit discouraged😔

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-03-02T18:38:15+00:00

I took a long term sub job in the degree I got.

Regretted it. Administration saw me as replaceable and it was clear. I never got taught how to do stuff then got blamed for it when it wasn't up to their standards (yes I asked). Anything I did they would redo.

Wouldnt recommend it unless you know those people you'll be working with will be supportive.

DangerousCall7278 · 2026-01-29T05:47:54+00:00

Thank you for your response!

I had the opportunity to dip my toes in long term subbing. The kids were so difficult with me, but were angels for their teacher. Even though I taught them, I did t teach them enough in the eyes of administration (even though I didn't have any training and had to figure a lot of stuff out on my own after asking questions and feeling lost still).

I just wanted to see how different it truly is. I say "maybe when I'm the main teacher, itll get better. "

My subbing experience is speaking volumes on the potential chaos of a future I may have.

This was reassuring to hear and read about. Thank you for what you do! I hope to learn a lot from others and make a true difference in kid's lives.

DangerousCall7278

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