1. SO, you wanna a job?
Golden Apple
EIU Summer Institute
June 27, 2013

2. PJ Caposey (@principalpc)
Assistant Superintendent/
Principal
Author

3. Now, Let’s
Get You
a Job

5. While you are sweating out your application process,
this is what I am doing
The unfortunate truth is that a great kid
with an application with zero errors will
get called for an interview less than 5%
of the time in my experience – I have
hired one (Student Taught in District)

6. 1)Call
2)Cash in Favors
3)Commiserate
(network) –
How many
principals do
you know right
now?
4)Coach – then
call
Increased Specialization =
Increased Chances as well
(AP Experience, Dual Cert.,
etc.)

7. Tell me what you
think you know
about constructing a
good résumé?

8. I KNOW THE
JOB
DESCRIPTION
OF A
TEACHER!!

9. Group Activity, 5 minutes
Part 1:
• Predict 3 to 5
questions that you
will be asked during
an interview
Part 2:
• Create 3 to 5
questions that you
should ask of them
or statements you
should make during
an interview

10. Group Activity, Correct Answers, IMO
Part 1:
• Tell us a little about
yourself?
• What distinguishes
you from other
candidates?
• Do you have any
questions for us?
Part 2:
• Reference their data
• Ask about goals moving
forward
• Vision/Mission/Core Values
• Culture and Climate
• Biggest strength/Biggest
barrier
• Bring up what you read
• What should I know that I
could not find examining
your website and IIRC

11. Interview Prep
(25 minutes – time allowing)
• 90 seconds each – I will keep time
• Question 1 – One thing nobody at table knows
about you
• Question 2 – Person most influential in your
choice to be a teacher
• Question 3 – Life changing event
• Strength bombardment

12. The Day of the Interview

13. Importance of secretary
Body language and relationships
Have extra materials on hand
Ask for clarification on confusing questions
Admit it if you do not know what they are talking about
Be yourself – humor = ok as long as it is natural
Ask for timelines and protocols
Ask for additional details about open position

14. Be afraid
Swear
Be underdressed
Ramble – if your answer is short that is ok
Chew gum
Oppressive cologne or perfume
“Good question”
Be on time - - on time is LATE!!

15. For me – and I cannot speak for
other principals
I hire based on fit, talent, and potential
and/or willingness to be coached as
opposed to correct answers on
technical questions
BUT, Technical Answers are Still Important

16. SOME SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO
DISCUSS

17. Sample Questions
Evaluate your understanding of Bloom’s Taxonomy and if it
impacts your professional practice. If it does, how? What level
of Bloom’s does the majority of your instruction take place in?
Explain what best practice curriculum development is.
Entering a new building, what would be some of the first
questions you would ask your departmental colleagues?
If we came to watch you for a day, what would we denote as
far as how and why you differentiate instruction?

18. Sample Questions
Define literacy instruction. What role does it play in your
discipline?
Describe best practice use of assessment on an individual and
departmental level.
How do you manage your classroom? What role does
administration play in maintaining order in your class?
How do you plan for a unit? Walk us through every step that
you would take if I said to you when you come back for a
second interview I want to see a unit plan on ________

19. Sample Questions
Describe to me, if you doing an evaluation, what an
excellent teacher would like? Would they be a leader
within the building, involved in extra-curriculars, etc?
How do you stay current professionally? What are the last
three things you have read professionally that have
impacted your practice?
Describe classroom failures? How often do they occur,
why? Whose responsibility is the student’s grade?

20. So, you got the job – now what?

22. #1 Priority = Educating Kids
#2 Priority = Preserving Your Job, So You Can
Educate Kids
Hurt your standing
• Under-Communicate
• Do not follow directives
• Do not meet stated
expectations
• Refuse to listen to criticism
• Refusal to work as a team-
player
Help your standing
• Demonstrate your
commitment to your own
professional growth
• Become involved in the
school
– SIP
– Data leader
– Committees
– Leadership Opportunities
– Coaching or Sponsoring
Activities

24. Must reads for future educators. . .
• Danielson, Danielson, Danielson
• Social Intelligence – Goleman
• Drive – Pink
• 7 Habits – Covey
• Outliers – Gladwell
• Good to Great – Collins
• SuperCrunchers – Ayers
• Results Now and/or Focus – Schmoker
• Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Lencioni
• Anything by:
– Marzanno
– Whitaker
– Me