Prepared Interviewing for Educators (2^nd Ed.) A Guide for Seeking Employment

This book will help you interview successfully for your first job?or a new role?in education. Author Scott Lempka offers simple, chronological steps to help you prepare for your interview and show yourself in the best possible light. Topics include:

• Researching job opportunities
• Using the Big Five strategy to showcase your achievements
• Building Example Sandwiches to illustrate your experience
• Following an Interview Countdown to prepare for your interview
• Practicing sample interview questions in a variety of categories

In addition, this updated edition includes new information on networking through social media. With the tools and expert advice in this book, you?ll be able to anticipate what your educational employers desire, and you?ll gain the confidence you need to land your dream job.

Introduction

About the Author

eResources

1: Do Some Recon

Do Your Research

Network, Network, Network

Know the Mission and Vision

Scrub Your Social Media

Social Media as a Valuable Networking Tool

2: Interview Preparation

Stress Is Normal

Know the Numbers

Keep a File

The Big Five

My Big Five Worksheet

Interview Questions

50 Sample Interview Questions

3: Interview Practice: Example Sandwiches

Intension vs. Experience

The Example Sandwich

An Example Sandwich’s Three Ingredients

Example Sandwich Worksheet

4: Verbal Practice for the Interview

Conduct a Mock Interview

Interview Yourself!

Verbal Practice Strategies Checklist

Hit 2,000 Golf Balls a Day

5: Difficult Questions Made Easy

Greatest Strength and Greatest Weakness

Interpersonal Conflict

6: The Day of the Interview

Dress the Part

Map Your Way to Success

Interview by Phone

Navigate Your Way Online

Don’t Sweat the Nervousness

Stay Positive

Be Yourself

Interview Countdown

7: The Interview Itself and Follow-up

Arriving at the Interview Location

Entering the Room

Concluding the Interview

After the Interview

Interviewing Don’ts

10 Interviewing Don’ts

8: Résumés, Cover Letters, and Applications

The Résumé

Sample Résumé

The Cover Letter

Sample Cover Letter

The Online Application

9: I Have a Job … So Now What?

The Probationary Period

Be a Lifelong Learner

The Annual Staffing Process

Interviewing to Further Your Career

10: Closing Thoughts

A Note About Failure

References

Scott Lempka is a nationally recognized school leader with 20 years’ experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. Scott currently serves as principal of Parker Elementary School in Elk River, Minnesota.