BFTP: Top 10 Interview Questions

It's that time of year when the fescue starts looking pretty green on the other side of the fence. And that means many librarians and tech specialists are looking at new (or first) positions in schools. 

I'm regularly asked questions about questions - interview questions so I posted a list of questions we use in our department a few years ago and they are still available here. But recently one reader asked for a "Top Ten" list:

1. If I were to visit your last place of employment, how would the students, teachers, and your supervisor describe you and what your job was?
2.  How do you help apprehensive users overcome their nervousness about technology?
3. What is the last new skill or new piece of technology or software you learned? When was that, and how did you go about learning it?
4. Describe a project or program that you have administered about which you feel proud.
5. How will you demonstrate that your work is having a positive impact on student achievement in the school?
6. What process do you use in creating policies for the use of your facilities and resources? How do you prioritize your time?
7. What kind of changes do you feel will happen in education in the coming years? What might your job will be like in five years? 
8. Describe a lesson or project that required collaboration with others. What was your role and what made the effort successful or unsuccessful?
9. Describe your philosophy of the use of technology with students. How has or should it impact the teaching of reading, research, and content area skills?
10. How does one create long-term, permanent change in a school?

When I look for new employees, I try to ask questions that bring out the best in the person being interviewed rather than playing "gotcha." I love it when people describe projects about which they were passionate. I love hearing how people took initiative and did things that went beyond the job description. I love knowing that a person has worked well as part of an effective team. And I love knowing that the person I am hiring is him/herself a genuine learner and excited about the future.

Were I applying for jobs this spring, I just might think about answers to the questions above and figure out ways to work the answers into the interview conversation.

Whether the questions are asked or not.

Original post April 30, 2010.

See also a little advice for job hunters.

Comments

[Heidi Hammond]

I received an email from a student yesterday and she was so excited to have a job interview. She requested an appointment next week so we could discuss interviewing tips. Thank you for reposting this so I don't have to look it up! It's very helpful.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Heidi,

Always nice to know something I've posted is helpful to someone.

Be sure she gets the link to the old column "Getting the Job You Deserve" too. I think it's held up pretty well. <http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/getting-the-job-you-deserve.html>

Doug​

[ken]

Solid questions and I believe I could tweak them to use with students in my photography classes to promote reflection as well as opportunities to process their learning.

If there is one question that is a bit 'iffy', it is the first one. It is better suited for the other people as opposed to the interviewee; a question to use when checking on references.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Ken,

Use what you can! I like that first question. It is sort of like asking for a person to tell his or her strengths or weaknesses, but a little less directly.

Doug