Prepare six questions to ask a candidate for a teacher position

Jennifer Armenia

Six Interview Questions

Tell me about your previous teaching experiences.

This question will allow the candidate to open the interview by telling me about themselves and letting me know their experiences in the classroom. I will learn where a candidate’s areas of interest as well as expertise so that I can see if he or she will make a good fit in the position that I have available.

Tell me about the student-teacher relationships you develop and the relationships you develop with fellow teachers.

The first part of the question would allow me to see what kind of relationship the candidate has with the students. It would help me to see if the students and parents respect the teacher and if he or she respects them as well. The second part of the question would allow me to see if the candidate would fit well with our faculty and if he or she is a team player.

Describe what I would see if I walk into your room during the day.

From this question I will learn the candidate’s classroom management system as well as the candidate’s teaching style.

What do you think is your biggest weakness? What can you do to improve your weakness?

This question will help me to see if the candidate reflects on his or her teaching abilities and see if he or she has thought about improving his or her abilities.

What are your professional goals?

This question will help me to see if the candidate’s future plans in education. If the candidate has professional goals it will help me to see how ambitious the candidate is and if he or she is planning on staying in education for a while.

What would you do if a parent was constantly telling you that his or her child is bored in your class?

This question will help me to see how the candidate handles conflicts with parents and potentially handles a conflict with other adults. It will allow me to see the candidate’s communication skills with adults and to see if the candidate can solve the problem so it becomes a win-win situation for both sides.