Office of Career Services
Applying and Interviewing for Teaching
Positions
Applications for Teaching Positions
Applications for teaching positions are similar to other applications for employment in many ways, but very
different in a few key areas. You will be asked to give personal information, previous employment, educational
background, references, etc. However, many teaching applications also ask you to respond to short answer (or one
page length), handwritten, essay questions on various topics of concern or interest to teachers. In this way,
superintendents and principals can begin to screen applicants based on responses to questions posed.
Some things they will be looking at: handwriting, writing ability, level of thought given to the question, and the
answer. School districts are looking for teachers who will “fit into” a district. Therefore, your answers should be
honest, well written, and thought out. Don’t be surprised to be asked to elaborate on one of your answers in an
interview.
Following is a list of actual questions from applications for teaching positions. They are classified into categories
based on what information the question is designed to uncover.
Professional development (professional awareness)
This type of question is looking for information about your own sense of being a professional and your
concern/interest in growing as a professional. When answering this type of question you want to show that
even if you are a brand new teacher, you are aware that learning never stops and that you are aware of the
current trends and issues in the field of education at large.
Indicate how you would evaluate your own program and growth in striving to be an effective teacher.
What are your professional plans and goals?
Do you have any special professional achievements (books, articles, courses of study, or other publications)?
What professional books or magazines have you read recently/regularly?
Are you a member of any professional organizations?
In your opinion, what are the important issues facing our profession today?
Teaching expertise
This type of question is trying to get at the nuts and bolts of teaching. Do you know about the latest teaching
methods? Can you explain how and what you teach? Do you have experience to draw from and learn from?
Simply, what are you like as a teacher?
Indicate some of the ways you motivate students to learn.
State your approach to teaching a class in your major field of preparation.
In the last year, what is one of the most important contributions you have made to students in your class?
Please state why you feel you are qualified for this position?
What are your major accomplishments in your recent positions?
What do you need to know in order to begin your lesson planning for a class?
What four key components do you believe you must include in your lesson plan?
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When you think about your students, in what major ways do you most want to influence their lives?
What two core teaching strategies do you use most to achieve this result?
Qualities to offer a school or district
The purpose of this type of question is to access what you, as an individual, can offer to the district as a
whole.
What extracurricular activities have you directed/participated in or would be willing to direct?
Describe those qualities which you feel would make you a vital member of this school’s staff?
What other special interests or abilities do you have?
Why do you want to join our District/School?
Personal qualities
This type of question is attempting to determine what kind of person you are and perhaps how your
background can be an asset to you as a teacher and member of the school or district.
What awards or honors have you received?
What volunteer or community services have you participated in?
What are your three most important reasons for wanting to become a teacher?
Technology usage
As a teacher in the new millennium, it is important for schools to determine your technology awareness and
usage. These questions seek to determine your level of comfort and experience with various forms of
technology.
I use the following (yes or no to each choice): Word processing applications/Desktop Publishing; Database and/or
Spreadsheet applications; Electronic Class presentations (e.g. Inspiration, PowerPoint, HyperCard, and Linkway);
Integrated Lesson Plans Using Technology.
I use the following in my classroom (yes or no to each choice): Computer; Television/VCR; Scanner/Digital
Camera.
Please list any other technology or platforms that you use.
What software do you use when teaching?
Which, if any, technology teaching associations do you belong to?
Miscellaneous
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These questions didn’t fit into the previous categories. Each question is followed by an explanation of what
information it is designed to elicit and/or how you may want to tackle it.
Please feel free to include below or attach any additional information you wish to share regarding your special
talents, skills, or experiences which may be of assistance in the review of your application. (Same as: Any further
information you would like to add?). This is your opportunity to cover any of the areas that you think are a
plus in your favor but have not yet been asked about. For example, you have volunteered as a tutor for
several years. If you haven’t had a place to mention that yet, mention it here even thought it may (and
should) be on your resume.
What salary are you looking for? You can either answer this with a number (if you have seen the salary
schedule for the district) or simply explain that you expect what a (beginning or experienced) experience
teacher with a (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate) degree is paid based on their salary schedule.
In what countries have you traveled? If you haven’t traveled to other countries, simply state that you haven’t
traveled outside the U.S. If you have, or if you have traveled extensively within the U.S. mention this here.
Reason for wanting to change your present position. If you are finishing your student teaching, you can say
that. If you are an experienced teacher, you want to make sure this answer is as neutral and/or positive as
possible. This is not a time to unload the dirty laundry. Everyone who makes a change has at least one
positive reason for wanting to make a change. More change, better opportunity, chance to expand your
knowledge base and/or experience are but a few possibilities.
Final thoughts
As with any application for employment, it is important that the information you provide is true and accurate. The
answers you give to the essay questions should reflect your personal philosophy of education, teaching, and
learning. The answers should also reflect a well-rounded individual who has much to offer the school community.
Also, don’t be surprised if these types of questions are asked when you are in the interview as well.
Some hints for making the application process smoother and less time consuming
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Write general essays which, with some minor adjustments, could be used for different but similar
questions. You shouldn’t have to write your answers from scratch over and over.
Before you write an answer on an application, write a draft and show it to several people whose editing
skills you respect (professors, career services advisors, friends, parents, etc.)
Keep copies of all of your applications; you may encounter the exact same question on other applications.
Also, when you are called for an interview, you should review your application before the interview. (you
know they will!).
Try to tailor your answers to the goals or philosophies of the district to which you are applying. For
example, if you know that the district has adopted a particular learning theory and you are familiar with that
theory, make sure you point that out on the application. You can get information about school districts by
viewing their web sites, talking to those who work or live in the district, or getting information directly
from the district.
When answering questions regarding your teaching expertise or attitude, try to work in the names of
philosophies/philosophers that have influenced your thinking or current authors, books, articles, etc. that
have influenced you. This is a nice way to reinforce the perception of you as a knowledgeable,
professional member of the field.
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Interviewing Strategies
Research the school/district
Many times in an interview, the interviewer will ask what you know about their school or school district. If you are
not prepared to answer this question, it gives the impression that you are not really interested in teaching there.
There are many resources available including the Internet and the schools themselves. Keeping in mind that
secretaries and receptionists have more information and influence than most people realize, you may want to call
the school and tell the secretary that you have an interview scheduled and are preparing for the interview. Ask
her/him if there is any information regarding their school that they have available. Tell her/him that you would be
interested in coming in to pick it up. Never ask to have it sent. If you do, you are causing more work for them. By
picking up the information yourself, you are displaying a high level of interest, as well as finding out exactly how
to get to the school and finding out how long it takes. Also, make note of where to park.
Participate in a mock interview
While interviewing has been referred to as an “art”, it is definitely a “skill”, and the best way to improve a skill is to
practice. We highly recommend that you make an appointment with the Office of Career Services and schedule a
mock interview with the director. Seeing your interview on tape can be very revealing and educational.
Prepare for the interview ahead of time
Write down a list of questions that you want answered during the interview. These should not include questions
about salary or benefits. These are issues that should be brought up by the interviewer. Questions about the school,
district, surrounding community, parent involvement, size of classes, etc. are appropriate. Be ready to talk about
your “philosophy of education”. Take these questions with you on the day of the interview. We suggest that you
purchase a “portfolio” (different from your teaching portfolio) which has a pad of paper and space for extra
resumes, references, list of questions, etc. Don’t forget to take a couple of black ink pens and your teaching
portfolio.
Interviewing tips
 Always arrive at least 15 minutes early. Showing up late for an interview can rule you out of a job before
you ever get a chance to meet with anyone. If you are going to be late, make sure you call to explain.
 Dress professionally. Just because the teachers in the school building may dress casually does not mean
that you should dress that way for the interview.
 Be POSITIVE in answering your questions. Never say anything bad about anybody, anything, any time.
 Be concise in your answers. When possible, give examples. For example, if you are asked how well you
handle stress give an example and how you handled it.
 Ask question during the interview as they come up. You don’t have to wait until the end of the interview.
 Always ask questions at the end of the interview. It shows enthusiasm and interest: two of the areas that all
interviewers take into serious consideration. Ask a few that are important to you and don’t pertain to salary
and benefits.
Questions you may be asked
 Tell me a little bit about yourself.
 Briefly describe your background, including college, activities and interests.
 Why do you want to be a teacher? What differentiates a good teacher from a great one?
 What are the main priorities in education?
 Is a student’s failure the fault of the teacher?
 Do you believe that students perform according to their teachers’ expectations?
 What is the key to effective classroom management and discipline?
 How would you handle a child who is two grade levels or more above the rest of the class? Or, two grade
levels below?
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Tell me about your student teaching and any other teaching experiences you have had. Where were they?
What type of classes and subjects? Were you involved in team teaching? Were they pleasant or unpleasant
experiences, and why?
What professional organizations do you belong to? What have you learned as a result of your
memberships?
What recreational or community activities and/or orgnizations are you interested or active in? What have
you learned as a result of your involvement in these?
Do you think that most students are or are not interested in learning? Why?
How do you expect to motivate students?
Is it acceptable for students to disagree openly with teachers? Can you site an example?
What is your philosophy of discipline?
As a teacher, what can you contribute to an ethnically diverse class?
Could you describe how you have dealt with some particularly tough problems you have faced?
What are your thoughts on inclusion and mainstreaming?
Describe your level of computer competency.
What is your philosophy of education?
Why should we hire you?
Questions to consider asking
 What is the teacher/student ratio in your district?
 Do you encourage teachers to earn advanced degrees?
 How many classes a day will I be expected to teach? What is the typical class size?
 Tell me about the students who attend this school?
 What textbooks does the district use in this subject area?
 What is the district’s policy on mainstreaming and inclusion?
 Do teachers participate in curriculum review and change?
 What support staff members are available to help students and teachers?
 Describe the teachers at this school?
 How long have you been with this school? How do you like working here?
 How does current staff welcome new teachers?
 What discipline procedures does the district use?
 How do parents support the school?
 How does the community support the school?
 Do your schools use teacher aides or parent volunteers?
 What allowances are provided for supplies and materials?
 Describe the status of computer usage at your school.
 Does the administration encourage field trips for students?
 How are teachers assigned to extracurricular activities?
 Does the district have a statement of educational philosophy or mission?
 What are the prospects for future growth in this community and its schools?
 What kind of teacher commitment is expected by the board, superintendent, principal and parents?
Closing the interview
As your interview comes to an end, it is almost a guarantee that you will be asked: “Do you have any
questions?” A couple of crucial areas that you are being judged on in an interview are your levels of interest
and enthusiasm. Not having any questions shows a lack of both. If no questions come to mind, this is a good
time to refer to those questions you prepared before the interview. Remember not to ask question about salary
or benefits. These are items to be discussed at a later time and should be brought up by the employer.
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At the end of the interview (assuming that you still want the position), be sure that you tell the interviewer that
you are interested in the position. Many teacher candidates don’t do this. Although it may be fairly safe to
assume that you were interested in the position in the beginning of the interview, there is no way for the
interviewer to know if you are still interested after the interview is over unless you tell him/her. So, make sure
you thank him/her for taking the time to talk with you and add that you are very interested in the position and
then ask what the next step is or “where do we go from here?” Find out when he/she plans on making a
decision. Also, make sure you get a business card from each person that you interview with or, if they don’t
have a business card get the names, titles, and addresses of each person involved in the interview process.
Follow Up
It is amazing how many professionals in this country who go on interviews don’t send thank you (follow up)
letters after their interviews. This may be a factor in whether you will be hired or not. It is expected and is
considered a professional courtesy. Send a thank you letter to each of the individuals that you interviewed
with. A short letter is fine. Thank them for taking the time out of their busy day to meet with you and reiterate
your interest in the position. It is a nice touch to send the receptionist or secretary who was involved in setting
up the interview a thank you card. Do not, however, send thank you cards to the interviewers. They should
always get a formal letter.
If the interviewer(s) said that they would be contacting you at the end of the week, mark your calendar, and if
you don’t hear from them by that time, call them the following morning. Be positive. Mention that you
interviewed last Wednesday and are very interested in the teaching position, and you want to know if the
position has been filled yet. If it hasn’t, ask when they think a decision will be made. Then if you don’t hear
by that time, call again after the date they stated to you. Be persistent. But only call after the date(s) they have
given you. Not before. Continue to follow up at the intervals they suggest until you have an answer. Good
luck in your quest.
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