Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Help -- I can't wear a scarf in July!!

So, after applying for 17 (yes, I really applied for that many jobs…) in 7 different counties, I finally got that long awaited call from a secretary asking if I was available for an interview next Tuesday!  The 20 second conversation between myself and aforementioned secretary was slightly comical and borderline disastrous. It went something like this:

Me: Hello?

Secretary: Hello, I’m calling for Emily.

Me: This is Emily, how are you today?!? 

Secretary: I’m just fine, this is Ms. So-and-so from Elkhorn Middle School calling to….

Me: Oh, how are you?

Secretary: I’m good, thank you.......... I was calling to ask if you were available for an interview next Tuesday at 9?

Me: Absolutely! 

Secretary: I’m sorry, you’re breaking up…

Me: I’m sorry, I have a uh….bad connect….bad reception-ignal in this room. Can you hear me now??

Secretary: Yes, I can hear you. 

Me: Absolutely, I’d love to come for an interview next Tuesday. 

Secretary: Great. See you then. 

Me: Absolutely, see you then!


So much for playing it cool, right?? (Who says “absolutely” three times in twenty seconds?! …. And what the heck kind of word is receptionignal?!!?)

Anyways, after I calmed down a bit, I started thinking about how UNPREPARED I am for a professional interview! I have no idea what to expect. I get super nervous in high pressure situations and am already thinking about all the things that could go wrong. In college there was a running joke about me in my methods course — whenever I got nervous for a presentation I turned beet red, so my classmates started telling me to wear a scarf...seriously...when it happens, its practically impossible not to notice the scarlet splotchiness that overtakes my entire upper half...  (I’ve lost count of how many people have pointed it out to me...and how many ridiculous excuses I’ve come up with on the fly — my favorite being that my necklace was irritating my skin. Yes. I really used that excuse….)

In fact, once during my very first  clinical I was so nervous to be teaching a class of seniors for the first time, I turned red rather quickly. Before I could even finish reading the page, one of the students raised her hand and frantically waved me over to her. I tried to ask her to wait until after I was finished, but she insisted that I come to her desk. Right then. When I got to her desk and bent down to hear what she had to say, she very loudly told me “I think you might be having an allergic reaction — you’re whole chest is red and so is your neck…! My mom is the nurse here, I can show you where her station is if you need me to!?”

Yes, this is my life. 

Since then I’ve learned to stay away from V-neck tops. I can look back and laugh now that I’m so comfortable in the classroom, but sitting across from the principal who has the power to hire me or send me walking on the other hand ... makes me a little nervous, I admit (and July is entirely too hot for scarves...)

So, to my blogger/teacher friends: what advice can you give me to help prepare? Are there any specific questions you think I should expect? 

I look forward to hearing all of your awesome pointers!

Emily

20 comments:

  1. Congrats on your first interview! I remember all the interviews I had to go through and I became really discouraged but then all I one time I was offered multiple jobs. So do not fret over the first one. The most asked questions I had were, tell me about yourself, what was your worst/best lessons and why? and how do you differentiate in your classroom. The best thing I can tell you is to act confident. Try not to talk too fast either, that seemed to be a mistake of mine.

    Good luck!
    Jamie
    Sixth Grade Tales
    Follow my new Facebook page

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    1. Thanks Jamie -- I think I have a problem with talking too fast too. Seems to always happen when I get nervous! I'll try to remember to slow it down! :)

      Emily

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  2. You're hilarious! I recently want for a teaching interview in which I was asked if i could be an animal, which one I'd be? My mind went completely blank. ...I didn't prepare myself for that question!

    Good luck on your interview!

    Janice
    www.prekpartner.com

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    1. Janice,

      Oh my goodness! What did you answer..? And now I'm thinking about what kind of animal I want to be. Hahaha.

      Emily

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  3. I was so fortunate that the principal where I did my student teaching took me under her wing and did a mock interview with me. She knew that she wasn't going to have any spots in her school, but she wanted to help me find a good school. It was such a blessing! Read The Leader in Me if you haven't. Somehow, find a way to work that into your conversation. Resesrch the school beforehand so you know which programs they are doing (School to Watch, etc.) Talk about classroom management. They will ask you what your discipline policy is. Respond that you don't have one because you believe that with strong classroom management, you are proactive, and a true discipline policy is reactive. That one gets them every time! Also, when they ask you if you have any questions, ask the principal what he /she believes that his /her role should be within the school. It's never too late to wear a scarf; just make sure it's gauzy and lightweight. Send a thank you note as soon as you complete the interview. Have it in your car and immediately fill it out and drop it in the mail. And, most importantly, when you get the job, make sure that you do everything you talked about in your interview. They will remember (especially since they will likely be taking notes the whole time). Best of luck!

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    1. Janetta,

      Thank you so much for the advice!! I was thinking about how I would answer the question about discipline and knew to answer something along those lines, but I like the way you said it so I'm definitely going to use that! How great that you had the opportunity for a mock interview - my best friend is a second year teacher and is going to be helping me this evening so I hope that helps me prepare a little more. And, I may very well rock a scarf ;-)

      Thanks again!
      Emily

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  4. You sure CAN rock a scarf in July! Just make sure it is lightweight! If that makes you feel good then do it! I popped over here from the Middle School Bloglovin blog hop. I already linked up with that fantastic Bloglovin Hop but I wanted to invite you to come and link up AGAIN to another Bloglovin LInky! http://teachingisagift.blogspot.ca/2013/07/back-to-school-with-bloglovin-blog-hop.html. You can download a great freebie and enter to win your own personal laminator!
    Sidney
    Teachingisagift

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  5. Hey Sidney,

    I've been debating about whether or not to ACTUALLY wear a scarf. We will see. Haha. Off to check out your Bloglovin' Linky - thanks for the invite!!

    Emily

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  6. Good Luck on your interview! I love your blog it is so cute! I am a first year 7th grade civics teacher. This will be my first year teaching. The most common interview question I got asked was, "What do you do if a student just doesn't care?" The school that offered me a job asked me, "If you could bring three things in the classroom with you, other than your knowledge, what would you bring?" I was not prepared for that one, and drew a blank. Have some creative answers in mind. You got this! I am excited to follow your first year of teaching! I am excited to follow you!

    -Jessie
    Lil Bit Country In the Classroom

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  7. Hi Emily,

    Just found your blog through English with Mrs. L - very excited for your interview. I'm a part of our school's interview committee and we always ask:
    1. What will you bring to our school that no other candidate will?

    2. What would a typical day/class period look like in your classroom?

    3. What one thing would you specifically like us to remember about you as you go?

    Hope those are helpful!

    And by the way...I rocked a scarf on the 4th of July - dark denim skinny jeans, white tank, red infinity scarf - it was hot as the dickens, but looked super cute :)

    Blessings!

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    1. Hi Jenn!

      Thanks so much for the words of encouragement and the questions!!!

      I rocked a scarf today (although just because it was cute -- not because I was nervous! Haha)

      Thanks for following me!!!


      Emily

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  8. I just wanted to let you know that I was uber impressed with your blog, and you got me hooked! I nominated your blog for an award. Please check out my blog for more information!!

    -Jess
    Lil Bit Country In the Classroom

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    1. Jess,

      You are too kind!! I so appreciate your nomination and I love that you love my blog so much! Looking forward to posting more in the coming weeks!


      Emily

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  9. Glad to find another first year teacher out there. Don't worry about the interview...I once had an interview and I thought I did extremely horribly. I was sweating and stumbling over my answers and ultimately thought to myself that this wasn't the job for me. Worst interview ever.

    A week later, I got a call with a job offer.

    You never know how it's going to go. Just answer to the best of your ability, and be true to yourself. Everything will work out in the end.

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    1. Hi TeacherintheCity!

      Cute name, by the way! In what city do you teach?? It sounds like we are alike when it comes to being nervous. I'm hoping for the best tomorrow! I have prepared with all sorts of practice questions thanks to all my fabulous friends both here in the blogosphere and that I see on a daily basis. I think it will pay off if I can keep from being too nervous.

      Congrats on the job, too!! That's so exciting! Wishing you all the best in your first year -- thanks for following!

      Emily

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    2. I'm way on the other side of the country, in the big city of Los Angeles. Fun city, if you ever get the chance to visit.

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  10. I love reading your blog! I am also a first year teacher. I don't know that I can give you any advice.. I was hired by the school I student taught at!

    BUT some good news... I nominated you for the Liebster Award!

    Check it out at my blog!
    Heart Mrs. Smith

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    1. Mrs. Smith -- you are too kind! Thanks for following my blog. And for nominating it!! Wow!
      Going to check it out now :)

      Emily

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  11. You just have the cutest blog! Congrats on your teaching interview! Just be yourself and use what you have been taught!

    Make sure to stop by and enter my giveaway!
    -Courtney
    http://2ndgradesnapshots.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Courtney! It really is about being yourself -- I learned that today. It's hard to do under pressure, but it's good advice. Thanks for stopping by!! Off to check out the goodies on your blog!

      Emily

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