5 Interview Questions for a Successful Interview

Interviews are often the first impression you have of a potential employee, but as the employer- you want to make a good impression as well. Creating a fun, interactive experience for the candidate can make your company stand out from the rest. The questions you ask need to be open-ended, so you have a whole picture of the person you are interested in hiring.

1.       Who was your favorite educator and why?

This is a great way to have the candidate to share a personal experience, which is a good way to break the ice. Most people who become teachers do so because of a teacher/educator they had who made a difference in their life. This could be in elementary school, church, counselor, or even a parent. Always remember to thank them for sharing a personal story.

2.       Can you share your behavior management techniques?

Behaviors can be present in any age group. Whether its age-appropriate rebellion or a child on behavior plan, you need to be confident that a future employee is equipped with the right skills to handle these behaviors. You never want to hear a teacher raising their voice or trying to implement time-outs. One of my go-to trainings for behaviors are FLIP IT and can be found on OCCRRA.org

3.       Name one value you hold and how it shows through as an educator?

As a business owner you have a set of values you believe in and use as a foundation of a successfully child care center. This question will show you want kind of foundation your candidates have and how they will fit into your centers culture. If they are unable to answer the question, it could be an indication that they have some growing to do (which could make them a moldable employee who you could train).

4.       Tell be about a weakness you have and how you are working to make it a strength.

This question can be hard to answer but it speaks for itself. It is easy to talk about what you are good at but not as easy to talk about what you are not excelling at. This question helps you get an insight on what the candidate does when they are faced with a challenge, and what their work ethic is at a personal level. Strengths are important but do not need work; weaknesses provide an opportunity for a person to grow.

5.       What questions do you have about our company?

Always end the interview by allowing the candidate the opportunity to ask some questions. If they prepared well for the interview, they may have read up on your company and have a few questions about this. Be ready to explain your benefits, the training process, and more. Do not rush them through the interview, so make sure you have enough time.

The interview process can be nerve wracking for a candidate, so making it more of a conversation between professionals rather than a just a Q&A can make it a better experience. Offering them water or a treat can also calm them down. I hope you use a few of these questions to find skilled educators to grow your center and provide quality education for your students and their families.