Teacher Career Change Interview Success

Job interviews are nerve-wracking experiences at the best of times, let alone when all you’ve ever known is the circus of a teaching interview!

On top of all the usual concerns which range from wondering what questions will be asked, to worrying what to wear, teachers struggle to visualise what the interview might look like - and we know what not being able to visualise something can do to existing anxieties…

It's no surprise that for many teachers, the thought of having to go to a “real world” interview is enough to keep them in the classroom longer than they need.

Keeping you calm and preparing well are the two most important factors when approaching an interview. The first can be easier said than done…

When we’re feeling threatened, our nervous system responds to the stress in a fight, flight or freeze state - any of which switches off the thinking, logical part of our brain. Not ideal in an interview! You can’t executive function your way out of overwhelm!

So we need to prepare our body, as well as our mind, in advance. This might include anticipating that we’ll feel safe and rehearsing ways to keep composed, even though we are going into the unknown.

Here are some ways I support teachers inside my Academy programme to prepare for a successful interview:

Research the role/company

One of the best ways to feel more confident is to research the company, the role you're applying for, and the interviewer if possible. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively, but will also give you a sense of control and preparedness. You want to have a good understanding of where this role fits into the organisation and their plans for the future. Is this a new role? What other roles will you be working with?

Know how you meet the spec

You need to have examples ready to illustrate how you meet the person and job specification. Having anecdotes ready which demonstrate your ability, using the STAR technique to evidence this in depth, will need rehearsing in advance. I’ll do another blog on this soon! Lastly, make sure you’re relating your past experiences to how you see yourself being successful in this role too.

Visualise success

Visualisation is a powerful tool for reducing anxiety and increasing confidence. Take some time before the interview to visualise yourself getting up in the morning and feeling excited, imagine walking into the building with your shoulders relaxed, looking forward to meeting people. See yourself engaging warmly with others and answering questions confidently. Remind yourself they’re really pleased to hear more about you. Playing this scene through will help you feel more prepared and confident when the actual interview takes place.

Practise positive self-talk

Negative self-talk can be a major source of anxiety and stress - we can be our own worst judge. Instead of criticising yourself or focusing on your flaws, try to use positive self-talk. Remind yourself of your strengths, accomplishments, and the value you could bring to the company. Keep reassuring yourself that if they’re interviewing you, they think you can do the job! It’s time to be 50% more confident when talking about your successes!

Practise deep breathing

Deep breathing can be a simple yet effective way to calm your nerves before and during an interview. Practise ahead of the day, taking a deep breath in through the nose, a slight pause, and a longer, gentler outbreath through the mouth. Take a few deep breaths before entering the interview room and continue to breathe deeply throughout the interview if you feel yourself getting anxious. While doing so, keep your feet on the floor and take your attention to the soles of the feet to feel grounded.

Focus on the interviewer

Instead of focusing on your nerves or worrying about what the interviewer thinks of you, try to focus on the interviewer and their questions. Humanise them by wondering what they had for breakfast! Listen carefully to what they're asking and take the time to formulate thoughtful answers. It’s ok to take a pause before answering! This will not only help you stay calm, but it will also show the interviewer that you're engaged and interested in the position.

If you start to panic

Firstly, take a moment to compose yourself - If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed during the interview, take a moment to compose yourself. Take a deep breath, sip some water, and remind yourself you’re safe and it's okay to take a moment to gather your thoughts. This will help you stay calm and focused throughout the interview.

Secondly, remember that the interviewer has been interviewed before themself! They know how it feels. It can be easy to put the interviewer on a pedestal and feel intimidated by them. Remember that the interviewer is just a person like you and they want to find the right candidate for the job; they're really not trying to catch you out or make you feel uncomfortable.

I hope these tips will help you prepare, feeling more calm and confident in interviews outside the classroom. If you’d like some more personal support including help with types of interview questions, preparing answers and practical tools to feel confident and calm, send me an email to joanne@adventuresafterteaching.com to chat about joining the Adventures After Teaching Academy.