5 Things to Know Before Your First Teaching Interview

Walking into your first teaching interview can be a mix of anticipation and anxiety. You’ve studied, trained, and maybe even student-taught—but interviews are a different skill set altogether. Whether you’re applying to a public school, private school, or something in between, these five tips can help you walk in prepared and walk out confident.

It’s Not Just About Your Resume

Your certifications and degrees may have gotten you the interview, but they’re not enough on their own. Hiring teams are also paying close attention to your communication style, your attitude, and whether you seem like a good fit for the school community.

They want to know: Can you collaborate with colleagues? Are you reflective about your practice? Are you someone students and families will trust? Keep that in mind throughout the conversation. Let your professionalism and authenticity come through.

Learn About the School in Advance

One common mistake is preparing generic answers without researching the specific school or district. Interviewers notice when candidates don’t understand their context.

Take time to review the school’s website, its mission statement, any special programs it offers (such as STEM, arts integration, or bilingual education), and the demographics of its student population. Be ready to show how your values, experience, and teaching style align with the school’s priorities.

Be Ready to Think on Your Feet

In addition to standard questions, you may be asked to respond to classroom scenarios or teaching challenges. These questions don’t necessarily have one “correct” answer—they’re designed to reveal how you approach problems, manage classroom dynamics, and reflect on your decisions.

Examples might include:

• “What would you do if a student refused to participate in a lesson?”
  
  
• “How would you adapt a lesson for students with varying reading levels?”
  
  

Focus on being clear, logical, and student-centered in your responses. If you don’t know something, it’s okay to say you’d seek help or collaborate with others to find a solution. In fact there are many schools that would value this.

Come With Thoughtful Questions

When interviewers ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”—they mean it. This is your opportunity to show interest and initiative, and to learn whether the school is the right fit for you.

Avoid asking about salary or time off at this stage. Instead, ask questions that show you’re serious about teaching and eager to contribute. For example:

• “How does the school support new teachers?” - This is super important to find out.
  
  
• “What professional development opportunities are available?”
  
  
• “How does the school approach parent communication?”
  
  

Be Prepared for a Practical Task

Some interviews include a mock lesson or a walkthrough of how you’d teach a topic. Even if it’s not formally required, you might be asked how you would teach a specific concept or manage a particular learning objective.

Prepare by reviewing a few sample lesson structures. Know how to clearly explain learning goals, differentiation strategies, and informal assessment techniques. Being able to articulate your instructional decisions will go a long way. Make sure to bring sample work or a portfolio is you have one.

Final Tip

Remember, every interview is a two-way street. The panel is evaluating whether you’re the right candidate, and you’re evaluating whether this is the right school for you. Prepare well, stay calm, and view the experience as part of your professional growth.