Worried that I'm going to choke!! (Updated to include how it went)

Discussion in 'Job Seekers' started by Alisha, May 9, 2010.

  1. Alisha

    Alisha Cohort

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    May 9, 2010

    AH! I'm starting to get way too nervous. I have an interview tomorrow that I got a call for over a week ago. I've been spending my time reading through every interview question and writing out and thinking about answers. However, I have a horrible problem of choking when I interview. Even just know I was going through to make sure I can answer aloud some questions I'd already "studied" and I couldn't spit out the answer.

    Yikes! Any suggestions to make me pull myself together? :(
     
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  3. mmswm

    mmswm Moderator

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    May 9, 2010

    Breathe. Don't go over the questions anymore. Go take a hot bath. Read a good book.

    When you get dressed in the morning, look yourself over in the mirror and tell yourself how awsome you are. Walk into that interview and own the place. If you stumble, laugh at yourself. When you rock it, cheer yourself on.

    Above all, believe in yourself. Don't talk yourself out of a good interview. Good luck!!!
     
  4. Alisha

    Alisha Cohort

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    Thank you. I needed something and maybe that's enough. A bath is always nice, too...lol. I think I'm psyching myself out too much. I know I'm a good teacher. I just happen to be a good teacher in need of a job.
     
  5. TeacherShelly

    TeacherShelly Aficionado

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    May 9, 2010

    Sit down, breathe, close your eyes and envision the entire interview going perfectly. Visualize it in as much detail as possible. You walk in, answer all questions smoothly and appropriately, the interviewer smiles and you leave. For fun, then picture yourself accepting the job! Here's to your success!
     
  6. Aliceacc

    Aliceacc Multitudinous

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    I second the suggestion for deep breaths.

    An interview is merely a conversation. You're going to talk about teaching. It's something we do here every day. The only difference is that you're going to do it out loud.

    You're a good teacher, right? You believe that you're the right candidate for this job, right? Then just go and have a conversation with the people at this school and tell them that.

    Forget memorized answers and canned responses. Just go tell them who you are and what you do in the classroom.

    Don't overthink it. Just have a conversation.
     
  7. deeceekids

    deeceekids Companion

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    May 10, 2010

    Aliceacc,
    That is the best suggestion for an interview that I have ever heard :)
     
  8. Unbeknownst

    Unbeknownst Cohort

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    Agreed.

    And remember, don't put too much focus on answering every question perfect every time.

    At this point, they've considered you qualified for the job (Remember that!).

    Now they're looking at how you answer the questions to see if you'll "fit" with the school.

    As Alice said, making the interview a conversation is the best way to do this.

    Go own it!
     
  9. smalltowngal

    smalltowngal Multitudinous

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    May 10, 2010

    I echo what the others have suggested. Good luck!!
     
  10. Alisha

    Alisha Cohort

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    May 10, 2010

    Thank you everyone! I was just getting too worked up last night, I took everyone's advice and just stopped cramming information into my head and went into the interview confident.

    I feel like I nailed everything they asked me, but there's one small problem. They refused to tell any candidate what the position was before the interview. (I even called to ask, the most they'd tell me is what the posting said- that is was some core middle school subject.) So when it came to "what subject do you enjoy teaching the most?" I of course answered social studies as that is my minor. I also said language arts and lit.

    At the end of the interview I asked if they could tell me what courses I'd be responsible for if I were to get the job. 8th grade SCIENCE and language arts. I am not a science teacher..I know I CAN be if I need to be, but all my answers were geared toward social studies lessons.

    I know that that one answer probably didn't lose me the job, but I'm sure it didn't help either.

    They're calling candidates back in a week to a week and a half and 2-3 will interview with the super. I still want the job, I'm just wishing it were social studies of course. I'd take it in a split second if they offered it to me.

    (And I hope, if called back for another interview, I can make it without going into labor lol!)
     
  11. skittleroo

    skittleroo Connoisseur

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    May 10, 2010

    but, you know what, your honest answer of social studies is a heck of alot better than the " I love everything". The "I love and am best at everything" would get you into the reject pile.

    Good luck!
     
  12. Alisha

    Alisha Cohort

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    Well, that's true at least. Makes me feel a little bit better. :) I can only wait and see at this point though.
     
  13. smalltowngal

    smalltowngal Multitudinous

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    May 10, 2010

    Sounds like it went well. And you were honest, and interviewers are looking for that. Good luck!!
     
  14. WindyCityGal606

    WindyCityGal606 Enthusiast

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    May 10, 2010

    You gave it your all and that's all you can do. Keep us posted!
     
  15. mmswm

    mmswm Moderator

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    May 10, 2010

    See, I told you to relax :).

    As for the science thing..you know, I'm not sure I'd want to work for a school that would be so coy about something as important as what subject needs to be taught. That sends up all kinds of red flags in my book. Relax, and wait to see what they say, but keep applying for everything else that comes up. That perfect job is out there, I'm sure of it.
     
  16. Alisha

    Alisha Cohort

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    Haha that is exactly how I felt. Like I said, I'd take the job if offered...but what good does it do them to not tell me what the job is, seems more like a waste of their time. In the meantime I have 2 other "possible" interviews (the principal of one district and the super of another basically told me they'd be contacting me after the application deadline). Those are both for social studies. We'll see what happens.
     
  17. JoshCHT

    JoshCHT Rookie

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    May 10, 2010

    You know, reading this board is simultaneously enlightening and depressing.

    I'm pretty sure that everything I say in interviews is wrong. :lol:

    When they ask me my favorite math subject, I usually say all of them.
     
  18. futureteach21

    futureteach21 Habitué

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    May 10, 2010

    Maybe they didn't tell you because they didn't want those canned answers. If you knew it was a science position, you would have tailored your answers to fit the bill. It is possible they wanted to hear your real answers without any added details. I think it sounds as if you did well! Good luck! Keep us posted!
     
  19. ms.

    ms. Comrade

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    May 11, 2010

    I personally love teaching all of the subjects that I am certified to teach. I chose my teaching endorsements because they are what I'm passionate about, and love to teach. I have 5 endorsements, so some might not believe me. :D I love learning and teaching, and I chose my endorsements because they are my strong areas.

    (Anyway, sorry for going a little off topic.)
     
  20. Aliceacc

    Aliceacc Multitudinous

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    May 11, 2010

    It sounds as though you did well.

    FIngers crossed for you!
     

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