Preparing for an Interview - for a Teaching Position in Ontario

Last Saturday, I was invited to conduct a workshop at OISE on Preparing  for a Teaching Job Interview to a group of participants compromised of students currently studying education and some qualified teachers from overseas.  I promised that I would put my power point notes on my blog for the participants. Here they are:

A successful  career involves a number of ingredients such as hard working, working smart, setting goals  for 1 yr, 2 yr, 5 to ten years ( if you are planning to build a career) so you can track the progress whether you are achieving your goals or not.  Setting achievable short term goals helps you to move along and eventually enable you to reach your long term goals. You will also need a plan of actions to achieve your goals.

Nowadays, some of the important qualities companies are looking for in their potential employees are:

•          Communication skills  -Very important!

•          Good command of written/ oral skills

•           Speak with confidence

Equally as important, when  fresh graduates are looking for their first professional job upon graduation, they will also need:

•          Mentors and support network

•          Relevant experiences

•          References

•          Understanding of work cultures and values

In my career as a school administrator and recently as a Human Resources Manager, I have discovered that many young people do not have much work experience upon graduation. Many have spent their university summer months either traveling back to their home country or studying summer school; few actually got summer employment relevant to their field of studies.

Experience is important!!

  Please try you best to accumulate relevant job experience by:

•          Volunteering

•          Researching government programs that help young people to summer jobs

•          Personal Network

•          Part time work

•          Co-op program


Steps for Finding a Job - Know Where the Jobs Are

  
Where are the jobs?

•Trends by region

•Declining enrolment varies significantly from one region of the province to another.

• Between 2002–03 and 2007–08:

• Toronto  - declined by 9%

• Other parts of the GTA experienced growth

•Northern Ontario experienced the largest rate of decline

 •over 12 per cent since 2002–03 

•Declining enrolment - a reality for many school boards in northern Ontario for several years

 •Before it emerged as a province-wide trend

• Eastern and southwestern Ontario each experienced declines of over 7 per cent.

2012 to 2020 

•Toronto’s school-aged population  

•Projected to decline only minimally 

 Northern Ontario  •Projected to have  largest rate of decline of over 12 %  

GTA ( Greater Toronto Are) region - Durham, Halton, Peel, York  

• projected continue growth  

• higher rate than previously about 8 % 

Learn about the school board and the school that invites you for an interview 

•Research the board •Know the mission statement/ special program•Learn about•School •School’s focus •Community •Prepare for the interview •Knowledge is power! 

 Be Prepared with the following:  
•  Covering Letter
•   Resume

Interview

After you sent out numerous application letters and resume, finally you got an interview! Congratulations, if you've got an interview,  some experts says: 

You have  50% chance of getting the job! 

Therefore do everything in your power to prepare yourself for the interview as if you are preparing for your most important final exam. 

Interview Blunders -  3 biggest mistakes people do during interviews:

•          Dress  inappropriately
•       Not able to answer  questions properly

•          Talk badly about previous job or boss
 

       Dress appropriately

•          Jeans are not for all occasions!

•          Dress according to position applied

•          At least 2 Days before the interview date:

•          Pick out your interview outfit

•          Shoes, socks – ready

•          Make sure you have good grooming – good hair cut / neat and clean trimmed nails

•          Check out location of interview and make a test run

Job  Interview – Creating a Positive Impression

•          Don’t be late1!!!

•          Arrive 15 -20 minutes earlier

•          Check  hair, teeth, finger nails – cut  & clean

•          Use Deodorant,  Moisturizer/ lip palm

•          Avoid bad breath; use mouth wash or breath mints

Interview – Manners are important!

•          Good manners = consideration

•          Remember to shake hands, firm hand shake!!!

•          Smile!!

•          Say good morning, afternoon, thank you, please etc.

•          Sit  only when asked

Maintain Eye contact During the interview

•          Listen to questions carefully

•          Not afraid to ask for clarification

•          Positive attitude

•          Demonstrate confidence
      Look at the interviewers in between their eyes 

Job Interview – Some Frequently Asked Questions

•      Please tell us about yourself 
•      Tell us about your experience and qualifications 
•      What is your reason for applying for this position? 
•      Why are you the best person for this job?
•      How would you plan a good lesson that would meet the different levels of students' abilities?
       How would you motivate students who are struggling or not interested in your class?  
       How do you learning about the curriculum in your subject area? 
•      What are your strategies for Classroom Management?

    Equity/ Diversity /  Inclusive Teaching

    Assessments 

    Communication with parents?

    Do you have any questions? Any questions you would like to ask us?

 

Interview - Situational Questions

•         How would you deal with difficult students?

•          You are working on a team and you are having a problem with another teacher?   What would you do to solve this problem?

 

Where to find jobs?

•          School / University

•          Guidance offices, bulletins around campus

•          Community / local newspapers

•          Daycare Centres and  after school programs ( YMCA's)

•          Parks and Recreation 

•          Canada Services Centre – local offices and websites

•          Student Summer Employment Program

Networking is important when you are looking for jobs. You could expand your contacts by volunteering in your: 

 

•          School / Church/  Workplace / Community

•          Talk to everyone you meet

•          Make connections

•          Learn how to do Small talk with your supervisors/  teachers/ professors

•          Make friends with your colleagues/ secretary

•          Attend workshops / Job fairs

•          Be careful of internet advertisement and interview location

After the interview

•          Make notes of the interview and especially the questions you did not answer well.  Have a notebook to write them down so that you could learn from your mistakes to improve your future interviews.

•          Follow up with:

•          Phone call, Email or  thank you note

Government Programs that help young people to find their first job by:

•          Mitacs-Enterprise Internship

•          Canada Summer Job

•          Employment Agencies

If you have any questions, please don`t hesitant to send them to me via the comment box and I will try my best to answer them.

All the best in you job hunting! 

R.T.
Director - TECA
Toronto Education & 
Communications Associates
Toronto, Ontario