Job Interview Tips for Teachers

Landing your first teaching job starts with a strong interview. But what exactly are school leaders looking for when they sit down with a candidate?

To help you prepare, we spoke with K–12 principals and administrators across the Sacramento region to get their best teacher interview tips. From making a strong first impression to demonstrating your impact on student learning, their advice offers a behind-the-scenes look at what actually stands out in the hiring process.

Make a Strong First Impression

• First impressions do go a long way. Make sure you are on time. Pay attention to the question being asked. Manage your time. Typical interviews are only allotted a certain amount of time. Research the school, district, or position you are interviewing for. Do not hesitate to ask questions if offered the time. It shows you are open to learning.
  —Kraig Jorgensen, River City High School
   
• Don’t be afraid to let your personality and passion shine through in the interview! Many of us have a story of why we have chosen to commit our careers to teaching. Share yours! As an interviewer, I want to feel a candidate’s enthusiasm and excitement for education.
  —Melissa Mainini, Willis Jepson Middle School
   
• Present yourself professionally by dressing appropriately and speaking clearly. Avoid overly casual attire, such as sweats, and approach the conversation with a respectful and professional tone. Treat the interview as an opportunity to demonstrate your qualifications, not as a casual chat with a relative. 
  —Luci Del Rio, Markham Elementary School
   
• Don’t waste time developing a big portfolio or folder to share in the interview—most of the time we will just read your documents from your application. However, you’d be shocked by how many folks submit resumes, letters of recommendations, or application materials with spelling mistakes, grammar errors and the like. Be sure to proofread your materials so that they are professional. Letters should be current (within the last six months) and from folks who have worked directly with you.
  —Adam Wight, Vacaville High School

Give Clear, Specific, and Thoughtful Answers

• Read your interview panel. If you are interviewing at the district office with a table full of principals, your answers should reflect what they are looking for in a teacher. If you are at a school site with an interview panel of grade level teachers, make sure your answers are reflecting what they are looking for: a colleague that they can work with. And, in both cases, engage your panel. If you can’t engage adults looking desperately for their next superstar educator, how can you engage a classroom full of students who may not want to engage in your lessons that day?
  —Derek Wickliff, Alamo Elementary School
   
• We want to hear how your teaching decisions impact student learning, engagement, and growth. Instead of saying, “I use classroom management strategies to maintain order,” try, “I create a structured, positive environment where students feel safe and supported, which helps them stay engaged and ready to learn.” This keeps the focus on student success rather than just teacher actions.
  —Lyn Bigelow, Tafoya Elementary School
   
• Bring a notepad and pen in case you want to jot down a part of the question to make sure you answer it. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification, or ask for the question to be repeated if necessary. Remember this is not a memory test, so if you think you didn’t understand the question or didn’t get all parts the first time, ask for clarification. Breathe and take a minute to think before answering.
  —Diana B. Davidson, Gibson Elementary

Prepare and Research the School and District

• Practice, practice, practice. Schools and districts tend to ask candidates questions about similar topics: data-driven instruction, home-school connections, differentiation. Practice for these topics by drafting succinct talking points that answer all aspects of the topic. Practice can be mock interviews with someone else, but it can also include talking to yourself in the mirror or during the commute to and from work.
  —Chris Marcoux, Waggoner Elementary School
   
• Do your homework about the school you are interviewing with. Schools are looking to see which candidate will be the best fit and who aligns with the culture of the school. Candidates that have researched the school by exploring their school website and have reviewed the posted SARC report and SPSA will have a better understanding of the school and how they can support the school’s goals.
  —Cristina Morel, Douglass Middle School