Enter the virtual job interview. If you’re on the job hunt during this hiring season, you are likely going to have the option of doing a virtual job interview. It may even be required (especially for a first interview). If that is you, here are six great tips for nailing that next virtual job interview.

Before the Interview

Tip 1 – Know the Platform

A virtual interview is a general term for any interview that is not in-person and involves a meeting via some technology. Generally, the interviewer chooses the platform. Zoom and Google Meet are two prevalent virtual meeting platforms. The important thing is being familiar with the platform before the interview. To do this, be sure you have interacted with the program before your interview. Find out how you will interact with others during the call. Check out possible features like sharing attachments or screen sharing. These are just a few of the variables into which you need to look.

Tip 2 – Own the Setting

One benefit of a virtual job interview is that you get to be in control of your setting. In a traditional interview, the setting is chosen by the company or the supervisor in charge of hiring (generally, one that is comfortable for their team). Conversely, in a virtual interview, you get to be in control. This control offers some great benefits. Think about your background. It should not be blank, but it also should not be distracting. Think about your lighting. You do not need fancy equipment; just directly facing a well-lit window during your interview will provide ample light and will allow your interviewers to see you well. Don’t forget to dress to impress. Remember that you want your potential employer to have a mental image of you that is professional. A t-shirt will not give that desired image.

Tip 3 – Rehearse

Like any job interview, you should practice with sample questions. Be careful with this. The idea is not to guess the questions your interviewer will ask. You do not want prepared answers – you

will sound robotic and disingenuous. Instead, practice answering some traditional interview questions. If you can, use the platform you’ll be using for the interview with a friend or trusted colleague and have them give you feedback. Bonus tip: recording your answers and listening back to them is one of the best ways to hone speaking skills.

During and After the Interview

Tip 4 – Create your Space

Taking part in a virtual interview has its advantages. Namely, your interviewers have a relatively small rectangle of your setting. That means that you can create a cockpit of reference sheets, bulleted lists of info, and notes about your accomplishments. Whether you prefer printed information or multiple tabs in a browser, you will have the benefit of useful information right at your fingertips. Imagine getting to that part of the interview where they ask if you have questions, and you can reference an item directly from the school’s website or school improvement plan. Color your interviewers impressed.

Tip 5 – Interactions with Interviewers

Everyone knows that eye contact during an interview is essential. Somewhere between nervous glancing and awkward staring lives excellent eye contact and mastering; this can take an interview from mediocre to fantastic. Also, don’t forget about body language; some gestures and movements of the arms and head can be distracting on camera. Be sure to pay attention to this (especially when practicing). You want your web camera to be at eye level. Looking down on your computer screen is never a good look, and it can negatively impact how interviewers see you and your background. Stack up some books if you’re using a laptop so that the camera is at eye level. Trust me, this looks much better.

Tip 6 – Remember, An Interview is an Interview

Just because your interview is digital does not mean that you should not practice good professional behavior during and after the interview. Remember to use professional language, sit up straight, say thank you, and call interviewers by name. Always jot down each interviewer’s name so you can reference specifics from the interview when sending a thank you email.

Remember, a virtual job interview is not the scary thing it might once have been. What might have been an awkward experience before is rapidly becoming just the way we do things. Whether you interview is in-person or online, be sure to spend some time preparing for success, and you are very likely to find it.

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Do Your Research

Researching the school and division with which you are interviewing is a solid investment in time. Taking time to understand the mission, vision, key resources, demographics, and academic achievement data of a school can be very helpful in the interview process. Responses will appear more tailored so the employer will see you as invested and knowledgeable. You will be able to discuss the consistencies between the school’s mission/vision and your own educational philosophies. Further, you can share how you plan to utilize curriculum and technological resources available within the school district to their fullest potential in the classroom. You can share innovative ideas as to how you will use the available resources.

Finally, understanding the demographics and academic achievement history of the school are essential to the interview and potential employment within the school. Researching the school’s demographics shows a prospective employer that you have a focus on student success. To work within a school, it is essential for a new teacher to build effective relationships with all community stakeholders. These stakeholders include students’ families. Understanding where students come from, both the assets and challenges, helps build teaching lessons that are tailored and most effective. Further, understanding where students come from builds empathy.

Once you show understanding of the prospective students, you can share your knowledge of school achievement data. Within the interview, praise the school for its successes and share how you would like to become a member of the team. Next, share some instructional ideas as to how you will become an asset by building capacity to overcome weaknesses. Share these ideas without directly pointing out school or district weaknesses. An example would be to make comments like “most schools struggle with,” and share how you can help them overcome these struggles.

Prepare Your Portfolio

With the average teacher interview being one hour or less in length, it is important to fill the application and portfolio with selling points. You need to sell yourself as the best candidate so this is not a time for modesty. Getting a teaching job starts well in advance of the actual interview.

Spending time making your portfolio organized and professional is vital. Although it is important to have your portfolio readily available, due to time constraints, some districts may not spend extensive time examining the portfolio during the actual interview. The portfolio’s content should make it apparent that you have a student-first focus with data showing how lessons you have implemented have led to student growth and achievement.

Although the portfolio is important, the resume is likely more essential. The resume should be clear, organized, and professional. Try not to include “cute” or irrelevant information. Like the portfolio, the resume should focus on awards and certifications that are applicable to teaching. Earn credentials and work toward awards that make you a clear asset to a prospective division. Focus on work ethic, teamwork, and student growth.

Further, show that you are effective in collaboration with a multitude of stakeholders. You need to present yourself as a team player. Tests and coursework that lead to additional teaching certifications are valuable. Having multiple certifications makes you more viable as school leaders can fill needs within the school that can change yearly.

Know Why You’re a Good Fit

Being the right fit for a position or a school is an essential piece of the hiring puzzle that a principal is trying to solve. Above all, remain positive and student-focused during the interview. Avoid negative talk about current educational practices, student demographics and related academic achievement, and other schools or districts. A principal wants a teacher who can work within the team, build productive relationships with all stakeholder groups, and has positive energy that will impact student achievement. Elaborate on your certifications and present yourself as a team player that will impact the entire school. Further, present yourself as focused, dedicated, and positive. A principal does not want to hire a teacher that will increase drama in the building.

Get Ready for Tough Questions

As the interview nears, look up potential interview questions. Many times a friend, colleague, or college mentor will practice the interview process with you. The toughest questions normally relate to how you will improve academic achievement, handle classroom management, and build effective relationships within the community.

As a teaching candidate, prepare answers to these questions prior to the interview. The answers should reveal that you are innovative and student-focused. You should present with eloquence and confidence but not arrogance. In answering these questions, include differentiation, remediation practices, small-group instruction, and building positive relationships to establish yourself within the community and handle discipline in a proactive manner. Relationships are the most important piece. An administrator knows he or she can teach skills but cannot change a person. Speak to your ability to build relationships when addressing tough questions.

Be Prepared to Talk About Your Teaching Strategies

When speaking about teaching strategies, continue the student-first focus. Detail the importance of differentiation, remediation, and small-group instruction. Show that you understand the importance of these three key concepts. Further, speak to how you will use formative and summative data to assess your teaching practices. Time is a valuable resource in education so all educators should be making data-driven decisions. Formative data should be used to assess mastery and drive future instruction along the journey.

Know How to Present Yourself

At the interview, you should present yourself as eloquent and professional. Body language should reinforce that you are relatable and approachable. Try to smile and make eye contact. Dress professionally as impressions are very important. Teaching is a professional career so your appearance should reflect that in the interview.

The importance of how you present yourself in public normally starts well in advance of the interview. For many schools, your “true” interview begins with how you handle observation hours and internships within the school. These periods give a much more detailed representation of you as a potential teacher. During these times, show tremendous work ethic, display professionalism, and show that you are an asset to the school’s future.

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