WISCONSIN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION
WSPA Student Session
"You're hired!”
Tips to a Successful
First Year as a
School Psychologist
Student Session
C. Neddenriep
2015
S P R I N G C O N V E N T I O N ; Stevens Point, W I
Panelists
Michelle Boyer, School Psychology Intern
Delavan-Darien School District
Marci Walker, School Psychology Intern
CESA 10
Amanda Myers, School Psychologist
Madison Metropolitan School District
Ron McPhail, School Psychologist
School District of Crandon
Sara Soleymani-Alizadeh, School Psychologist Milwaukee Public Schools
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I. Planning for Your Internship Year
A. Question: How did you prepare to enter the job market?
Update resume
Work on cover letters
Ask for letters of recommendation
Apply for the Initial Educator License
Evaluate your skills, training, strengths, weaknesses, areas of needed
development, etc.
6. Organize/Practice 2-minute opening (e.g., Tell us a little about yourself...)
7. Practice responses to anticipated questions
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B. Question: Who did you ask to write letters of recommendation for you?
1. Generally ask 1-2 professors, the ones who know you best, have observed you
working with children and teachers, AND can write you a strong letter
2. Ask practicum supervisor(s)
II. Finding an Internship
A. Question: What strategies did you use to find an internship? Which were most
effective?
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7.
WECAN
WSPA job fair
School district websites
Wisconsin.gov jobs website
WSPA Website
NASP/Communiqué
Ask supervisors, current interns, and other school psychologists about upcoming
opportunities that they may be aware of.
8. Attend WSPA and NASP to network.
B. Question: What things might an applicant want to consider in choosing to
apply to various districts?
1.
2.
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Location
Rural vs. urban vs. suburban
Role of the school psychologist within the district
Size of the district
Number of schools served
Age/grade level of assignment
Current initiatives (e.g., RtI, positive behavioral supports, etc.)
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C. Question: When are jobs typically posted?
D. Question: What were some of the challenges you encountered when applying
for internships/jobs?
E. Question: What do you wish you had known when you were applying for
internships?
III. The Interview:
A. Question: What are your general tips for a successful interview?
1. Dress professionally
2. Research the district before the interview
3. Be prepared to describe your skills, strengths, and weaknesses
4. Anticipate questions (e.g., philosophy of working with children, how you
handled a difficult situation, describe a difficult case, etc.). You may also be given
a case scenario.
5. Make eye contact with all interviewers and smile.
6. Be prepared to tell them enthusiastically why you want to work in their district.
7. Let them know why they should hire you over others.
8. Integrate examples of your experiences within your responses.
9. Refer to your “experience at____” rather than saying “in my practicum site…”
10. Ask for a minute to consider your response to a question before responding .
11. Have a list of questions prepared to ask of them.
B. Question: When you think of a successful interview that you had, what
contributed to your success?
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C. Question: What are employers looking for in the candidates they interview?
D. Question: What questions should I be prepared to answer? (See potential
interview questions at the end of this handout.)
E. Question: What can I do to make myself stand out from other applicants?
F. Question: What types of experiences should I be sure to highlight in the
interview?
G. Question: What kind of reports should I include in an interview portfolio?
H. Question: What are some questions you asked of the employer (or wished you
would have asked) at the interview? (See potential questions to ask employer at
the end of this handout.)
IV. Accepting an Offer
A. Question: What considerations should enter into my decision making with
regard to an offer of employment?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Salary
Mentor/supervisory support
Professional development opportunities
Other supports
Benefits
How long do I have to consider the offer before I need to communicate a
decision? Don’t be afraid to ask for more time if you need it within reason. You
may say, “I need some time to consider your generous offer with my family.
Would it be acceptable to you for me to contact you within a week?”
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B. Question: What contributed to your success on the job as an intern?
V. Additional Questions:
A. What did you feel unprepared to do when you started your internship?
B. What were you most surprised about during your internship?
C. How have you overcome teacher resistance to changes in education (RtI)?
D. When did you feel confident in your position as a school psychologist?
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Potential Interview Questions
1.
What aspects of this position are most attractive to you?
2.
What do you personally see as the most challenging aspects of this position?
4.
Why should we hire you over other equally qualified candidates?
6.
Describe your approach to consultation.
8.
With what kind of student do you like to work the most?
3.
5.
7.
9.
What skills do you have (both personally and professionally) that would
contribute to our school district?
What strategies/techniques are you familiar with to assist a student who has
difficulty reading? Writing? Completing math problems?
How would you handle a parent request for testing that you believe is
unnecessary or inappropriate?
With what kind of student do you like to work the least?
10. Think about a problem you experienced during practicum. How did you
resolve it?
11. Describe your role with regard to assessment of mental health.
12. Describe your role with regard to curriculum development.
13. Our teachers are expressing reservations about the RtI process. How do you
view the role of the school psychologist within an RtI model? How would you
explain your role to staff?
14. How do you view your role as a counselor? How would you negotiate your role
with the counselors in your buildings?
15. Describe your experience working with diverse cultural groups.
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Potential Questions to Ask at the Interview of Employers
1. What opportunities are there to participate in professional development
activities?
2. What is the typical number of schools (or students) served by each
psychologist?
3. Describe the working relationship among school psychologists in the district.
4. How are the school psychologists typically viewed in the school?
5. What resources are available to support my work (e.g., staff, computers,
office)? What allowances are provided for supplies and materials?
6. What are some of the initiatives the district is working toward?
7. What advancement opportunities are available to me as a school
psychologist?
8. What would a typical day look like in your district as a school psychologist?
9. What are the opportunities for future growth in this community and its
schools?
10. How are parents involved in your school?
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