This is the question I got at an interview. I didn't expect it. I figured that the interview team (I walked into a team of FIVE when I thought I was interviewing with ONE) realized that most applicants are applying for a TEACHING JOB, not A TEACHING JOB AT THIS SCHOOL. If that were the case, I'd have applied for a grand total of two jobs (they had a 2nd grade opening and a 4th grade opening).
I have applied for OVER ONE HUNDRED positions.
What is the best way to answer this question? I don't feel that there was anything extra-ordinary about this school that I could have mentioned that makes it stick out from the other schools in the area.
Wow. Well, as a member of my district's hiring committee, I'd say that we do know that " most applicants are applying for a TEACHING JOB, not A TEACHING JOB AT THIS SCHOOL" but what we want are candidates who will fit at OUR school. Most schools aren't looking for teachers in general, but for professional educators who are intelligent, well-spoken, know their 'stuff', are passionate about this profession and who have, yes, done some research themselves about our school and district.
I think schools ask this question to sift through the applicants. They want someone who has taken the time to research their school, knows something about the school that they can help out with, etc.
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'It is today we must create the world of the future.' Eleanor Roosevelt
This is an opportunity to show the interview team how serious you are about the job. If you really want the position, do your homework and know about the programs and opportunities available at the school.
In this day and age where it is so easy to get information about a school and what makes it unique online I would think that you would take the time to at least check out the school before going to the interview. I'm sure they were trying to figure out if you have taken the time learn about the school.
When I was looking for all three of the jobs that I have gotten in my 18 years of teaching I did learn about the school before I applied to them. There were some jobs that seemed great but then I would learn about the school and decide not to apply. Remember that searching for a job is about finding the right fit for both sides. What school you work in matters.
you might not think it's important to worry about knowing anything about the school...but of course you are competing against the other applicants. It's possible that someone who takes the extra time to learn about the school and relate their experience to it will differentiate themselves from the other applicants...every little advantage can help.
Absolutely what everyone else is saying - my school isn't interested in people looking for a teaching job. They're interested in people looking to teach at OUR school - people willing to uphold our standards both at school & in the community, people who can commit to our rigorous expectations for teachers and students, and people who are willing to train for several of our programs.
I've worked at two schools who were looking for a warm body to fill a position. IMHO, there is a world of difference between working somewhere who needed a place filled and working somewhere because you were a good fit.
With so many applicants applying for one teaching job nowadays, it pays to learn about the school that's interviewing you (especially when interviews are tough enough to come across). If you scope out the school's website, there's bound to be something that you can appreciate.
It's not that I don't know anything about the school. I do research and look up every school's website, etc. But most of the schools offer the same thing... they're all in the same type of neighborhood, serve the same type of population, etc.... so any answer for that school in particular would really fit with any school in the surrounding 3 or 4 neighborhoods.
It's not that I don't know anything about the school.
