A potential employer will quickly identify what skills and qualities you possess through behavioral interview questions. These skills and qualities are often referred to as competencies, dimensions, and problem solving abilities and involve a recruiter asking you detailed questions about your thoughts, feelings, and actions in past situations. This approach will assist the district or school in determining whether you possess the qualities they seek in an educator.
Recruiters ask behavioral interview questions to inquire about past experiences in which you encountered potential conflict in an educational environment, specifically how you dealt with the situation, and what the final outcome was. An effective response to these questions involves providing an accurate outlining of the context, actions, and derived results of the circumstances. Draw upon experiences from your previous full-time and part-time teaching employment, volunteer work, professional encounters, university or academic encounters, extra curricular activities, and life experiences.
Prepare for your interview by obtaining as much information as possible about the teaching skills and qualities that the district requires. It is important to tap your memory for stories that will precisely illustrate your skills and successes. Think through each situation and remember who was involved and what role you played in the situation. Most importantly, listen to the question being asked of you in order to successfully answer with a detailed and appropriate response.
In addition, the following is a list of attributes and characteristics that a district or school will be seeking from a potential candidate:
- Competency
- Superior Verbal Communication Skills
- Research Skills
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Analytical Ability
- Appropriate Judgment
- Problem Solving Techniques
- Teamwork
- Quick Learner
- Enthusiasm/Motivation
- Initiative
- Innovation
- Leadership Ability
About the Author
Candace Davies, Owner of A+ Resumes for Teachers, is a Global Career Management Professional dedicated to assisting educators worldwide to leverage their strengths, accomplishments, and unique selling points to capture their dream position. Her team has successfully assisted 3000+ education professionals by transforming their talents into concise documents that secure numerous interviews, leading to excellent job offers. Candace is certified as a Professional Resume Writer, Certified Employment Interview Professional, Certified Interview Coach, Certified Electronic Career Coach, and as a Certified Career Coach. Please visit her website at resumes-for-teachers.com, send her an email at candoco@telus.net, or call toll-free (877) 738-8052.
