While every school leader has different ideas about the kinds of teachers they’re looking to employ, there are a few common characteristics they often look for. It can be easy to forget these things when you’re busy selling your skills and qualifications for a teaching job, so we’ve asked some of our school leaders to put together this handy checklist of 10 P’s to help you ‘wow’ your way through your next interview.
1. Pods
Working in a school is like living in a communal pod. Schools are looking for candidates who can collaborate with others and be a team player because no teacher ever works in a silo. Show recruiters how you work well with others.
2. Polite
Being pleasant and polite will go a long way towards impressing recruiters. Schools like to hire teachers who are excellent role models and will be highly respected by students, parents and their teaching peers.
3. Professional
First impressions are important, so your actions and words are being judged throughout the hiring process. Some recruiters may look you up on social media to get a better idea of the type of person you are, so consider what your public social media presence says about you. Arrive on time and dress well for your interview.
4. Pliable
No 2 days of teaching are the same. Being flexible and adjusting to your environment is just as important as having all of your lessons planned out. Remember to showcase your experience in diverse teaching environments and include professional experience placements that you may have completed during your university studies.
5. Passion
Show your passion for activities outside of teaching. Do you love cooking? Have you ever been part of a local sporting team? Are you passionate about gardening or do you love playing a musical instrument? Employers are interested in getting a snapshot of who you are and how you might fit in with the school and community. Make sure you let employers know about your passion during the application process and it might be the point of difference that separates you from everyone else.
6. Practice/Practise
This isn’t a spelling test. It’s referring to the noun (practice) and the verb (practise). Learn about the place of practice that you are applying to work for and do some research about the school’s teaching framework from their website. If you can’t find it, then ask about it during your interview. Show recruiters that you are looking to practise your craft and constantly learn how to refine your skills and knowledge as a teacher.
7. Patience
You will be dealing with a classroom full of students and they won’t all listen to your every word. So, remember to show patience with others and yourself when things don’t go your way.
8. Planning
Lesson plans and learning resources are important to a teacher’s success, so demonstrate what you have prepared and planned to use in the classroom. Schools love to see someone who is organised!
9. Prioritise
When an unexpected event or problem arises and all your planning and preparation can’t help, you will need to show that you can prioritise what is important. Show how you have been able to run things when something hasn’t gone to plan and how you prioritise your time when you cannot get through all the work you intended.
10. Polish
Polish your skills so you can shine. Nobody starts out in their first teaching role knowing everything and even the most experienced teachers look for ways to improve. Recruiters don’t expect the perfect teacher who knows everything and they aren’t looking for one that does. Asking for feedback is how teachers find ways to improve, so make sure you show your willingness to learn and upskill during your next interview.
We recruit all year round, so if you’re looking to take the next step in your teaching journey,
submit your application to teach in a Queensland state school today.