How to Prepare Yourself for a Teaching Assistant Interview

Once you get called up for an interview, you can consider half of your work done. Getting a call-up for an interview means you have what it takes on paper to become a Teaching Assistant. But you will have to prove to the board whose hiring of your attributes. For this, you need to be well prepared and put the pedal to the medal if you want to make it to the job. This blog guides you on how you can prepare yourself for the teaching assistant interview.

What Schools look for in Teaching Assistant’s

As Teaching Assistants are constantly working with and around children, the school board always looks out for a trusted person for the job. So first up, the most important thing you will need to prove to the interview board is that you are trustworthy. Along with that, you also have to prove yourself fit for the job and make yourself worthy of hiring than everyone else you are competing with. Here is a guideline for teaching assistant deployment in the UK

So here are some to-dos that will make you Stand out among the rest:

Fully prepare yourself for the Interview

Before you appear for an interview, the first thing you must do is to do background research about the school. Doing this will help you make up your mind and get you started on the right foot. While researching, it’s better if you find something about the institution that you can strongly associate with. For example, the school might have a group of children who have special needs or specializing in sports, music or any other form of activities you have prior experience with.

By doing so, you can make a stronger claim towards the job. If the interview board realizes you have researched your position, the interview board will realize your eagerness to get the job. Interview boards are always looking to hire candidates who are eager and severe for the role. Besides, researching the job will give you the chance to praise the school. Positive feedback will always give you an advantage.

Sell yourself right

During an interview, you will have to compete with a few other candidates for the job. So you will need to stand out among the bunch to make an impression with your skills. For this, you can start by making a list of strengths that make you the best fit for this job. The list will cement your strengths in your head and help you bring up the issues while you are in the Interview.

Have self Confidence

One of the best suits to wear for an interview is confidence. You will find it much easier to communicate with the interview board if you get rid of nerves. Facing the Interview in a calm and friendly attitude will always give you the best chance of qualifying for the role. After hearing a question, you can take a few seconds to formulate the answer inside your head before speaking.

Take relevant documents to the Interview

Along with the certificates, resume and other credentials you used to apply for the job, you can also take relevant photos of your previous work experience and extracurricular activities you participated in.

For instance, you can take samples of your artworks, show them a video of the piano cover you did in your leisure hours. You can also take testimonials you got from your sports coaches or youth work certificates.

Prepare for a Demo Teaching Class

In a teaching assistant’s Interview, the board is almost sure to verify your teaching skills. However, apart from the certificates and testimonials, the single skill that will make you qualified for the job is your teaching competence.

The interview board may even put you in a demo class with their students in attendance. This might seem a little nerve-wracking to many. But if you are a natural, you won’t find it hard to play along.

It’s better if you have 15 minutes ready to go to class. It’s also to be noted that not everyone attending the Interview will make it as far as the demo class. So if you have made it to the demo class, this means the school is trying to confirm your attributes.

How to Get Ready for the Interview

The best way to get ready for an interview is to practice on your own. You can even ask a friend or a family member to interview you and give you honest feedback. This way, you can practice the frequently recurring teaching assistant interview questions so when it’s the right time, you can deliver the correct answers.

While answering the questions, it’s better if you can devise your answers per your past experiences. And if you are a fresher, you can draw the interview board’s attention to your competencies in different areas such as communication, teamwork and managing difficult situations.

What to wear to an interview

Make sure your attire for the Interview is comfortable to bring out your best on the Interview. At work, the attire of a teaching assistant is somewhat casual, But impressions matter a lot in an interview. So you can try a suit or plain formal Interviews like trousers for men and smart skirts for ladies.

August 20, 2021