Are you a teacher! Expanding your horizon on the International level!

When it comes to facing international school interviews a tactful preparation is much needed. The majority of the interview session for oversea teaching jobs is conducted via video call. The story is a lot different than an inland interview, especially in the area of how you are virtually presenting yourself and expressing yourself through your body language.

Plus abroad teaching opportunity comes with a paradigm shift in cultural and socio-economic experience. These are the areas you would need mindful research on – it would help you make the final call.

Do your research

It is highly recommended to know the school before your interview session. Starting from the job description to looking into the school website, what type of curriculum they follow, their core philosophy, it's all very much important to know. This is almost like getting to know the school before meeting it.

Even more alluring if you can know the locality of the school a bit, in an international school interview it is very common for the interviewer to ask 'why do you want to work there!' When you can show your enthusiasm towards the place, it becomes very convincing for them to consider you as a serious candidate.

Rehearse those anticipated questions

It is pretty predictable schools do follow certain generic strategies when it comes to hiring teachers. Just by googling you can find loads of questions that are commonly asked. Take notes of few relevant questions and practice them. Practicing questions is a very individualistic approach, many people find it comfortable to frame the answers by writing them first and rehearse on them and many often practice answering questions while standing in front of a mirror.

Questions asked in a Teacher Interview such as –

• Tell me about yourself?
• Why do you want to work with us?
• How are you planning to contribute to our school?
• What is your favorite subject?
• Help us picture your ideal classroom?
• What is your proudest moment so far as a teacher?
• Why do you want to move to this country and how are you planning to adapt to the new life?
• What is your approach towards conflict?

It is good to prepare your mind for the kind of questions you are going to face. Of course, there are greater chances the interviewer might not ask what you have expected. However, warming up with few questions will help you to calm your nerve and will make you feel at ease.

Be your authentic self

Teaching is one such profession where more than following the methods, strategies, and curriculum, one's personality as a human being comes out naturally. You can go all technical about the way you want to portray yourself (in few areas of course). However, what makes you stand out among others is YOU as a teacher. Your individual response to those unique events, how you handle conflicts, and what is your idea of respecting children's uniqueness!

In an interview, there may be times when you need to sell yourself. But that does not take away your essence on how you are meant to contribute to your students' lives positively. A balanced interview happens when you can harmonize your personal side and your professional side that is put to show.

Asking the right questions

This is a clever way to show how confident you are without revealing you are trying too much. Especially when we are eager about a job, we do have a lot of questions stored in our stomachs. Don't bury them. Just be poised and frame your questions beforehand. Normally interviewer does give space to the candidate to ask questions if they have any.

Your perfect timing would be either when they ask you directly or when you feel they are wrapping up the interview. And asking the right question can be related to the job post, your role in it, about the school culture, etc. This is where you find out is this job the right choice for you!

Have faith and relax

In an interview session, getting nervous is absolutely normal. A common trick to calm yourself is to focus on your breathing. When you have done your homework on the school and got yourself into the rhythm by practicing few questions prior, half of your work is already done. Also, do not try to anticipate and judge yourself too much, that is just going to act as a trigger.

The best way to ace the interview is to feel prepared, let yourself breathe, and let go of worrisome expectations from your heart.

Finally, as long as you keep calm, listen to the question, and take a moment to answer thoughtfully nothing can go wrong. Remember, they already like your profile which is why you are invited to have an interview. So there is no need to fuss endlessly, just assure yourself you will do great!

Good luck with your interview!