The following questions and suggestions for ways to answer are provided as examples and general guidelines only. There are no "correct" answers to the questions provided and no guarantees that these are the most likely questions to be asked; however, many interviewers use these or similar questions during an interview, as well as situational exercises or behavioral questions, such as "What would you do if...?" For more information on interviewing, visit other links within the "Interviewing for Employment" section of our web site.
PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: NON-TEACHING
1-How would you describe yourself?
Remember that this is about you in a specific position. Use adjectives that help define/describe your skills, abilities, and personality traits that would make you successful in the position for which you're applying.
2- Why did you choose the ___________ field?
Be as specific as possible, but professional. For instance, instead of saying that you have relatives in the banking industry and you thought it seemed like a good career, you might say something like "Initially, I became interested in banking because I have relatives who are in the field and I heard a lot about the industry; however, after I took some business and finance courses, I realized I really liked the lending and investments area and I decided to specialize in the banking curriculum and pursue a position in the field."
3- What interests you most about this job?
Do your homework. Find out as much about the specific skills and responsibilities of the position as possible. Talk about the background, training and skills that you have that are related to the job requirements and why you believe you would enjoy performing the activities of the position. You might give examples of when you've successfully performed similar activities and enjoyed them.
4- Why do you want to work for this organization?
Again, homework is key. What do you know and like about the organization? What does the organization do well? Why do you respect the job they do? Your answer should have less to do with how you will be compensated and what the organization will do for you, but rather should describe the type of organization, management and working environment that you appreciate and respect.
5- What interests you about our product or service?
This is very similar to the question above, but requires you to research and form a knowledgeable opinion about what makes the company's product or service stand out from the competition, or makes the product or service different from the rest. Do not dwell on the competition's poor quality or service. Focus on the positive attributes of this company's product or service.
6- Give me a summary of your experience?
If you are not a recent graduate, start with giving a brief summary of your work experience, starting with your most recent and working your way backwards. Provide information on when you worked and where you worked and focus on the skills developed/used, or the training received in each job that will help you in the job for which you're applying. Next, provide a brief summary of your educational training (when and where), highlighting the courses that you feel will specifically help you on the job.
If you are a recent graduate with little work experience that relates to the job for which you're applying, you might wish to start with your educational training and provide details about courses taken, projects completed and activities that you were involved in that helped you build skills for the position. Then provide a brief account of your work experience, specifically highlighting any skills or abilities learned or practiced on the job that will also be used on the job for which you're applying.
7- What jobs have you enjoyed the most?
Hopefully, you can truly highlight some jobs and activities that are similar to those that you will be performing for this employer. Don't be surprised if the employer asks you to tell why you enjoyed them.
8- Which jobs have you enjoyed the least?
Everyone has activities that they are required to do, but that they don't enjoy doing. Be as honest as possible by giving a couple of examples of jobs or activities that you didn't enjoy doing, but provide evidence or examples of how you still were able to perform the activity/job successfully. "Even though that activity was something I was unfamiliar with, I was able to learn how to conduct the transaction, and my supervisor indicated that I had done a good job and that she might need me in that capacity again while another employee was on vacation."
9- Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?
Whether the accomplishment is a personal or professional one, be sure to describe it in such a way that the employer can see how the skill you built or the satisfaction you received can be useful in the job for which you're applying. As an example, if you are very proud of being the only person in your family to go to college, you might indicate that you truly believe education and training are important and that you hope to continue building your skills on the job and encouraging others to keep learning new skills, even your family members and coworkers.
10- Tell me about your hobbies and outside interests?
Your hobbies and interests tell the potential employer something about whether you prefer to be alone or with others, whether you prefer to be indoors or out, whether you prefer lots of activity or a slower pace, etc. It may also tell the potential employer a lot about your personality and interest in your community. Do the preferences indicated by your hobbies and interests match the job requirements?
11- How would you define your long-range goals?
It's probably best to answer with your career goals and not necessarily your personal or family goals. An example might be to indicate that you would like to start out as a junior lending officer and stay with that for 2-5 years and then move into a senior lending position. A question to ask yourself is whether this will be possible with this employer. If not, you might want formulate a career goal and time frame that are possible while working for this employer.
12- What do you think is necessary for success in this job?
Remember the job description and requirements and highlight the skills and abilities mentioned in the description/advertisement. Also think about the personal characteristics needed to perform well on the job and talk about those and why they might be important (good communication/people skills, organizational skills, etc.). It's especially important to highlight the personal characteristics, skills and abilities that are necessary, but that you also have.
13- Why should we hire you?
This question is a perfect opportunity for you to summarize the skills, abilities and background that you have that are related to the position available. It might also be a time where you can highlight the match between your professional/career goals and the goals of the organization or employer. You may also want to talk about your enthusiasm for the position and for being employed by this specific employer.
PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: TEACHING
1-What is your philosophy of education?
The interviewer is looking for your ideas on who should be educated, how they should be educated, who should be involved in the process and what you believe your role to be in educating young people today.
2- How do you motivate students to learn?
Be prepared to talk about how to individualize instruction, how different children learn in different ways, and about the different methods to help children understand concepts and gain knowledge and understanding. You may be expected to talk about punishment and reward systems and how you feel about various motivational techniques.
3- How do you deal with parents?
Will you involve parents in your classroom, and if so, how? Will you expect them to be partners in the learning process and if so, how? If parents question your techniques or grading system, how might you deal with this? Be able to define for yourself and the interviewer the roles and responsibilities you and your parents will have in the learning process. You might provide some examples of positive interactions you've had with parents from your student teaching or other related experiences.
4- Why do you want to be a teacher?
Be as specific as possible, but professional. For instance, instead of saying that your mother was a teacher and you've always wanted to be one, you might say something like "Initially, I became interested in teaching because my mother was a teacher; however, I had a teacher in high school that really made a difference in my life and after taking some of my education courses and babysitting for various ages, I realized I really liked the field and would enjoy working with the primary grades. I enjoy helping children learn to read and to see them become excited about learning."
5- What qualities do you have that will make you a good teacher?
Review position announcements/ads for positions similar to the one for which you're applying, paying particular attention to the skills and abilities that are listed. Talk to current teachers and ask them what makes a good teacher. Be sure that your answer highlights those skills and qualities that you have that were also listed for this and other similar positions, and that were mentioned by the teachers with whom you talked.
6- What makes a good school?
Is it high test scores, good salaries, happy children, satisfied parents, upbeat teachers, supportive administrators? Most of those things are results of a good school, but what things can you do and can the school provide to improve results for children and families? Consider concentrating on the environmental aspects that support children's learning, such as current curricula, experienced and qualified teachers and administrators, adequate and up-to-date learning materials, resources and equipment, a well organized learning space, an inclusive environment, etc.
7- What are some elements of a good lesson?
This is where your Materials and Methods classes come in. Think about how you prepare for and deliver a lesson and how you prepare your students for the learning that's to take place. How do you check their understanding and knowledge after new information is presented, and how do you build upon the knowledge gained? What do you do to help those students who are struggling with key knowledge?
8- What part does the parent/responsible adult play in the education of a child?
Similar to question 3 above. Briefly define the types of individuals (principal, teacher, family, etc.) who play a role in the learning process and explain what part the parents/family play in the "team."
9- What needs to be done to improve education?
Give some thought to how you would improve education/instruction first within your classroom, then at your school level, then perhaps across your district or state, and finally nationally. It's important to show that you understand that there are things you might do and that your attitude is not one that says "someone else needs to do something." You don't have to give examples of ways to improve education at each level, but be prepared to do so if asked.
10- What are your personal goals?
Even though the word "personal" is used, you might begin your answer with your professional career goals. Do you expect to teach 3rd grade the rest of your career, or would you like to work with children in different age groups? How do you intend to stay current in your field? Are you planning to continue your education and training?
If asked for more details about your "personal" goals, you might need to ask for clarification as to whether they would like information related to outside interests, hobbies, or family? Be cautious in answering in general without trying to understand why they are asking for the information. It is best to include specific job related qualifications and information in your responses, and less information of a personal nature. See question 10 in the preceding section for information on hobbies and interests.
11-Give some examples of how you would teach children with different learning styles?
Be prepared to talk about different learning styles and to provide examples of what methods you have utilized to work with children with each of the styles you mention. You might also include examples of how you have individualized lessons for various learning styles and learning capabilities.
12- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Be specific in terms of your strengths for the teaching profession (for example, excellent rapport with the age group I'll be teaching, sound understanding of fundamentals of teaching reading, enjoy working with parents as partners in the learning process, etc.). Don't be afraid to list a weakness that you have related to teaching; however, be sure to address how you are overcoming that weakness, or your plan for overcoming the weakness, so that the interviewer can see that it will not be a problem for you, the school, or the children and families.
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