SO, you wanna a job?
Golden AppleEIU Summer Institute
June 27, 2013
PJ Caposey (@principalpc)Assistant Superintendent/Principal
Author
Now, Let’s Get You
a Job
Interviewing is like a 1 s t date
Unfortunately, you are desperate
While you are sweating out your application process, this is what I am doing
Nothing
Taking Care of myself politically
Look through the over 100 résumés
The unfortunate truth is that a great kid with an application with zero errors will get called for an interview less than 5% of the time in my experience – I have hired one (Student Taught in District)
How do youImprove your odds?
1)Call2)Cash in Favors3)Commiserate
(network) – How many principals do you know right now?
4)Coach – then call
Increased Specialization = Increased Chances as well(AP Experience, Dual Cert.,
etc.)
Tell me what you think you know
about constructing a good résumé?
I KNOW THE JOB
DESCRIPTION OF A
TEACHER!!
Group Activity, 5 minutes
Part 1:• Predict 3 to 5
questions that you will be asked during an interview
Part 2: • Create 3 to 5
questions that you should ask of them or statements you should make during an interview
Group Activity, Correct Answers, IMO
Part 1:• Tell us a little about
yourself?• What distinguishes
you from other candidates?
• Do you have any questions for us?
Part 2: • Reference their data• Ask about goals moving
forward• Vision/Mission/Core Values• Culture and Climate• Biggest strength/Biggest
barrier• Bring up what you read• What should I know that I
could not find examining your website and IIRC
Interview Prep (25 minutes – time allowing)
• 90 seconds each – I will keep time• Question 1 – One thing nobody at table knows
about you• Question 2 – Person most influential in your
choice to be a teacher• Question 3 – Life changing event• Strength bombardment
The Day of the Interview
Importance of secretaryBody language and relationshipsHave extra materials on handAsk for clarification on confusing questionsAdmit it if you do not know what they are talking aboutBe yourself – humor = ok as long as it is naturalAsk for timelines and protocolsAsk for additional details about open position
Be afraidSwearBe underdressedRamble – if your answer is short that is okChew gumOppressive cologne or perfume“Good question”Be on time - - on time is LATE!!
For me – and I cannot speak for other principals
I hire based on fit, talent, and potential and/or willingness to be coached as
opposed to correct answers on technical questions
BUT, Technical Answers are Still Important
SOME SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS
Sample Questions
Evaluate your understanding of Bloom’s Taxonomy and if it impacts your professional practice. If it does, how? What level of Bloom’s does the majority of your instruction take place in?
Explain what best practice curriculum development is.
Entering a new building, what would be some of the first questions you would ask your departmental colleagues?
If we came to watch you for a day, what would we denote as far as how and why you differentiate instruction?
Sample Questions
Define literacy instruction. What role does it play in your discipline?
Describe best practice use of assessment on an individual and departmental level.
How do you manage your classroom? What role does administration play in maintaining order in your class?
How do you plan for a unit? Walk us through every step that you would take if I said to you when you come back for a second interview I want to see a unit plan on ________
Sample Questions
Describe to me, if you doing an evaluation, what an excellent teacher would like? Would they be a leader within the building, involved in extra-curriculars, etc?
How do you stay current professionally? What are the last three things you have read professionally that have impacted your practice?
Describe classroom failures? How often do they occur, why? Whose responsibility is the student’s grade?
So, you got the job – now what?
Who should you be talking
to in thetime between Your hire and
the start of the school year?
#1 Priority = Educating Kids#2 Priority = Preserving Your Job, So You Can
Educate Kids
Hurt your standing
• Under-Communicate• Do not follow directives• Do not meet stated
expectations• Refuse to listen to criticism• Refusal to work as a team-
player
Help your standing
• Demonstrate your commitment to your own professional growth
• Become involved in the school– SIP– Data leader– Committees– Leadership Opportunities– Coaching or Sponsoring
Activities
Must reads for future educators. . . • Danielson, Danielson, Danielson• Social Intelligence – Goleman• Drive – Pink• 7 Habits – Covey• Outliers – Gladwell• Good to Great – Collins• SuperCrunchers – Ayers• Results Now and/or Focus – Schmoker• Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Lencioni• Anything by:
– Marzanno– Whitaker– Me