TL;DR:
- Interviewing can be challenging. It’s important to find the balance between being timid and overly confident.
- At the end of an interview, ask a question that involves role-specific vocabulary, ask your interviewer(s) what they enjoy most about working in the building, and ask if there are any concerns about your fit for the position.
- Ask these 3 questions at the end of your interview to emphasize your skillset, add positive energy to the room, and celebrate your eagerness to earn the job.
Yikes! Don’t ask that!
Interviewing is challenging. By nature, many educators do not feel comfortable bragging about their skills. Striving to find the balance between coming across as timid and overly confident is a never-ending evaluative process.
While dressed up in your best interview suit, dressed to impress the potential colleagues and leadership teams you will be serving if offered the dream position, there is a moment in every interview as the conversation wraps up when the facilitator says…“Do you have any questions for us before we conclude?”
Your initial thoughts may be:
“Of course I do! This will be a HUGE change for me! Tell me everything!”
or…
your mind goes blank!
Let’s review three easy questions to ask at the end of an interview to:
(1) Emphasize your skillset.
(2) Add positive energy into the room.
(3) Celebrate your eagerness to earn the job!
Q1: Ask a question that uses role-specific vocabulary.
When the facilitator asks if you have any questions to conclude the interview, smile and say something along the lines of “Yes, thank you for the opportunity. I have three questions if you don’t mind a little bit more discussion before we wrap up!”
The goal of the first question is to emphasize your expertise in the space you are interviewing for. This question should use position-specific vocabulary and have a simple answer that will not take up too much time.
For example, if you are interviewing for a middle school math position, a question may be: “Would you mind sharing how you all ensure collaboration between teachers in the math department? Do you utilize a PLC Model?” Using the term “PLC” shares a subtle nod to your knowledge of the middle school model while also sharing your desire to collaborate and work with others in the building.
The goal of this question is to come across as knowledgeable, eager to learn, and well qualified for the position of interest.
Q2: What do you enjoy most about working in this building?
Your second question is all about adding some “feel good energy” into the room! Let’s get people smiling, reminiscing, and giggling together!
This feel-good vibe will be a memorable element of your interview even after you have left the room. The question “What do you enjoy most about working most in this building?” (or your own spin to this question) can be asked to any interview group. Whether you are in a 1:1 interview or in a larger group, this allows your interviewer(s) to share their voice, feel heard, and brag on happy moments in their experience.
Get them talking!
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Q3: Are there any concerns you may have on why I may not be a good fit for this position? I’d love the opportunity to address any underlying issues prior to leaving today to ensure your confidence in me for this outstanding opportunity.
Your last question will be the last impression of your interview before leaving the room. Are you ready to wrap this thing up? The goal of this question is to emphasize your desire for the role and address any concerns. Leave it all on the table! No regrets!
“Are there any concerns you may have on why I may not be a good fit for this position? I’d love the opportunity to address any underlying issues prior to leaving today to ensure your confidence in me for this outstanding opportunity.”
This last question allows you to emphasize your passion for clear communication, transparency, personal confidence, and a strong desire to prove this position was made for you. This should be said with a HUGE smile so as not to come across as too harsh or intimidating. Rather, this should feel like a warm invitation to ensure everyone leaves happy!
Following this question, keep the energy light-hearted and warm. Share your appreciation for the opportunity and keep your fingers crossed!
You did great!
About Rae Hughart
Rae Hughart is the Chief Experience Officer and co-owner of the Teach Better Team, Educator, and author of Teachers Deserve It (20) and Teach Better (19) books available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. In 2017, Rae was honored with the Illinois State University Outstanding Young Alumni Award – inducting her into the University Hall of Fame. In 2018, Rae was honored again by winning 1st place in the Henry Ford Innovator Award for her work within educators communities to build unity between local businesses and schools. And in 2021, Rae was selected to give her first TEDx Talk called “Better Than Youtube,” emphasizing the true value of educators. You can learn more about Rae or book her for Professional Development opportunities within the Teach Better Speakers Network.
