How to prepare for interviews
Well done! Your CV has caught an employer’s attention and earned you an interview. You’ve already impressed them with your experience and achievements. Now it’s time to persuade them that you’re the right person for the job.
This page offers practical guidance on how to prepare for FE teaching interviews, to give you the best chance of success.
Using the STAR method to answer common interview questions
Before going to your interview, it’s important to think about the kind of teaching job interview questions you might be asked and how you would answer them.
Your interviewer will be looking for specific examples that show your skills, experience, and ability to meet the role’s requirements. Carefully read over the job description and consider how your current experience applies to the key requirements of the job.
Using the STAR method
Using the STAR method will help you to answer interview questions clearly and effectively. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here’s how you would structure your answer using the STAR method.
- Situation – describe a situation you faced.
- Task – explain the task you were responsible for.
- Action – describe what actions you took.
- Result – explain the result you achieved.
Practising your answers
Build confidence by practising saying your answers out loud. Ask a friend or family member to play the role of the interviewer and conduct a mock interview to help you prepare.
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Online vs. in-person interviews: How to prepare
Be prepared to attend either an in-person interview or an online interview via a video conferencing app. Different employers conduct interviews via different methods. Your interview confirmation email or letter will provide details of the interview method, date, time, and location or platform.
Online teaching interview tips
- Check the meeting details beforehand and practice logging in.
- If you need to download a video conferencing app, do this in advance.
- Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection before your interview.
- Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background.
- Make sure you know how to mute, unmute, and share your screen – just in case.
Preparing for a face-to-face interview
- Look up the location and the best way to get there well in advance.
- Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for delays.
- If you’re driving, look up the best place to park before you set off.
FE teaching interview tips
Whether your interview is online or in-person, preparation is key. Here are a few tips to give you the best chance of landing that FE teaching job.
- Prepare STAR method interview answers.
- Review the job description and think about how you meet the role’s requirements – the better you can tailor your answers, the stronger you’ll likely perform in the interview.
- Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview – this is your chance to dig deep into the role and the culture at your potential workplace. Well-researched questions also show how prepared you are for your interview.
- Dress professionally – even if the dress code may be a little more casual, it always makes sense to dress smartly for an interview.
You can learn about the type of general questions you might be asked in an interview on the National Career Service, but remember, your interview will focus on your industry experience and what you can bring to this specific role.
Preparing your ‘micro-teach’ session
Most FE teaching interviews require the candidate to present a 10-15-minute micro-teach session to a panel of interviewers.
It may sound daunting, but try not to worry. This is your opportunity to let your passion for FE teaching do the talking.
What are interviewers looking for?
During the session, interviewers will be looking for:
- A clear lesson structure
- Strong communication skills
- Enthusiasm for your subject
- The ability to engage your audience
Prepping your micro teach session
With the above in mind, create a clear lesson with a beginning, middle and end. Even though you may only have 15-30 minutes assigned for this part of the interview, you should structure it as a one-hour lesson or as a one-hour task, with a detailed lesson plan. Once the time is up, you can ask the interviewer if they would like you to summarise the rest of the lesson or share the lesson plan.
Think about how you can make your micro teach interactive and engaging for the audience. While a lecture-style lesson can show your passion for the subject, it isn’t always the most engaging option. Consider asking your audience technical questions on your subject matter or ask them to solve a problem. A quiz at the end is always a great idea to check what they have learned.
And one of the biggest preparation essentials? Practice your lesson multiple times to help boost your confidence. You may even consider videoing your practice sessions, so you can look at areas to improve your presentation.
That's the interview basics covered!
That’s the interview basics covered, now you’re ready to move on to Step 5: After the interview.