You sent your application and have an interview, so what comes next? In this blog post I will share with you tips for your resume and application, what to expect about your interview and demo lesson. We will navigate your application, interview and demo lesson. I am rooting for you! So let’s get started.
Application Process before your interview.
Documentation needed: Repeat after me “I will include all documentation in my application, I will include all documentation in my application“. Usually you are required to submit a resume, a philosophy of education and all credentials needed. Please do. If you forget a piece of documentation and you submit your application anyway, you’ll be lucky if they call you back to tell you about that missing piece. Do not take chances.
Tune up your resume: This does not mean add your nice font and clipart to your resume. This means make sure your info pertains to the job/position you are applying to. This means, make sure the job experience you are including is relevant to the job opportunity you are seeking. What is the reason behind this? Human Resources specialists are looking at countless resumes and applications all day, you want them to look at yours and find all the relevant and recent info they need.
References: If for some reason you cannot include your current supervisor as a reference, list other supervisors you have worked with previously. Preferably if they are in the education field. Ask your references if they are ok with this before listing them, and give them a heads up about your application.
You got the interview.
You got an interview! CONGRATS! So what comes next?. By all means, take with you two extra copies of your resume, just in case. Now, how do you prepare yourself for an interview? Are there tricky questions? What if I have no questions? Do not worry, let’s start.
Before your interview: Do your homework and do a small research about the school. Their history, mission, vision etc. Check their social media and see what kind of projects, events or fun things they have done in the past school year. This will give you some material to discuss during your interview. Write down 3 to 5 questions you will ask. These could be related to benefits, salary negotiation opportunities, duties or responsibilities.
About you: Your interviewer will ask you about you. Your family, your previous jobs and the dreaded question: Why did you leave X job?. This is not the time to complain about your previous (or current) job. The world is small, and it is very likely that your interviewer knows someone from your previous (or current) job. Short answers like “I feel it was time for a change” are more than enough.
Your work experience: Your interviewer will go over your recent work experience. This is not a monologue about all the places where you have previously worked. By now, your interviewer will ask some of these key questions:
- tell me what one of your lessons looks like
- tell me one time when you went the extra mile
- tell me one time when you faced a challenging situation in your classroom
Details about the job position: Your interviewer will tell you about the job position, responsibilities and probably salary. This is the time to ask questions about responsibilities and duties associated to this job offer. Listen first and ask questions after listening.
If you need more information about salary negotiation, make sure to check Evie from La Mala Mujer. She has great resources to help you negotiate your salary.
Your Demo Lesson after your initial interview.
You got a call to have a demo lesson in the school? Yes!!!. Here is what to expect and how to prepare yourself.
Before your demo lesson: Your interviewer or supervisor will share with you the age and level of the group assigned for your demo lesson. Ask additional questions like:
- how many years have students been exposed to the language?
- how many hours of instruction they had in the current school year?
- how many students are in the classroom?
- is there is a specific theme or topic for your lesson?
- what kind of technology will be available in the classroom
- what is the length of the lesson?
- what is the current policy about group or pair work?
If you are applying to teach a new age level you are not very familiar with, read blogs or articles with tips and suggestions for these levels. If you are looking for tips to teach Spanish to preschool and elementary, check this blog post for elementary and this blog post for preschool tips.
Preparing your demo lesson: Prepare three key activities for your demo lesson: a warm up activity, a core activity to introduce the theme and a closing activity. Make sure to give your students all the tools they need for the activities you prepare (for example mini posters or vocabulary lists for your younger students). Rehearse your lesson and make sure to have 1 or 2 extra activities in case you have additional time. Print 3-5 copies of your lesson plan, these are for the admin or supervisors who will be present the day of your demo lesson. They’ll want to follow along and know what to expect from your demo lesson.
The day of your demo lesson: Your mom and abuela will agree with me. Arrive fifteen minutes earlier. Arrive with all copies and resources ready. Do not arrive and ask to make copies. This will send the message that you are not organized or did not come prepared. Once you get to your class, introduce yourself and ask students short and general questions like “raise your hand, who is 8 years old” or “raise your hand, who likes Spanish classes?”. Remember that admin will be present in your demo lesson, students have been instructed about what to expect. With this being said, behavior should not be a problem. If your students start getting distracted, it might be a sign to switch to another activity.
After your demo lesson: One key question is “what you would have done differently?”. This does not mean you did something wrong, your interviewer wants to see if you believe that you have room for growth, which we all have. Confidence is key.
This is, in a nutshell, what to expect from your application process, interview and demo lesson. After your demo lesson, give it 5-10 business days and call to follow up on your application, there is nothing wrong with making that phone call.
Which theme would you like to see more in depth? Let me know in the comments.
Resources you will like
Mini Posters in Spanish Bundle – Mini Posters en Español
Looking for a complete set of posters for your classroom? This sets contains 4 X 6 flashcards for teachers and mini posters for students.
What is included?
A set of 30 mini posters for your students. These posters are key vocabulary for content you teach all year long. Each set of poster includes 4×6 flashcards for teachers.
Los Colores Activity Pack
This fun activity pack to review or introduce colors in Spanish contains meaningful and fun activities, great resource to use during the first week of school. This pack is for PK-1st Grade Spanish beginner level.
Leave a Reply