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Preparing for Teaching Interviews: Common Questions and How to Answer Them

Published: 5/19/2025

Last Updated: 7/3/2025

A wise woman once said, ‘Teaching is a noble profession that shapes the character, intellect and souls of future generations.’ They often help students to develop crucial skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication.
But preparing for teaching interviews can be tricky. Here are some common questions and how to answer them for successful teaching interview prep.

Why preparation matters for teaching interviews

Preparation is extremely important for teaching interviews, as they can show off their subject knowledge along with commitment and passion for teaching.
Being prepared also allows teachers to anticipate and practice common questions. With the proper preparation, candidates can easily stand out compared to other candidates.

Common interview formats

There are multiple formats for teaching interviews, such as panel interviews, peer interviews and one-on-one. The type of interview depends on the institution as well as the interviewer.

Some of the most common interview formats for teaching interviews are mentioned below:
Type of interview
Description
One on one interview
A direct interview with someone from the school administration
Situational interview
A situation where you are given spontaneous scenarios to test your flexibility/adaptability.
Panel interview
A panel of multiple interviewers like administration members & other teachers, ask you questions
Teaching demonstration
Candidates are asked to conduct mock lessons, generally to get an idea of their teaching style as well as subject knowledge
Peer interview
Current teachers conduct interviews to check how well the candidate will fit in with the teaching group and the school culture.
After understanding all these interview formats, candidates can prepare accordingly so that nothing catches them off guard.

Regular teaching interview questions

Teaching interview questions can either be personal or professional in nature. Whereas some interviewers might also ask situation-based questions to assess the teacher’s adaptability.

Some of the most commonly asked interview questions for teachers include:
What is your educational background?
Why do you want to teach at this school?
How do you typically handle the classroom?
How do you monitor the overall performance of your students?
How would you describe your teaching style?
What is your teaching philosophy?

How to answer common interview questions

Knowing how to answer the commonly asked questions helps to guide your teaching interview prep. The first step should be to thoroughly research the school before the interview.
Then, highlight the strengths that are relevant to the job. Whereas for weaknesses, express the clear action you have taken to improve upon those weaknesses.
Use the STAR [Situation, Task, Action, Result] method to answer any broad questions.

Tips for a successful teaching interview

While answering the common questions is important, teaching interview prep also involves other things like body language and dressing.

Here are some dos & don’ts to guide your teaching interview prep :

Dos
Don’ts
Ask meaningful questions about the school’s culture and learning philosophy
Avoid giving generic answers

Give answers that are concise yet informative

Say something negative about your previous employers, as it will give a poor impression.
Highlight student centric approach
Arrive unprepared, as it shows that you don’t take this interview seriously.
Pro Tip: Use examples whenever possible to back up whatever you are saying.

You may also like: Upcoming Teaching Eligibility Tests

Conclusion

Teaching interviews are your chance to show your passion and fit for the role. With the right preparation and mindset, you can make a great impression. Just be confident and stay true to your teaching values.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How should I dress for a teaching interview?

Ans: Wear something professional like shirts or blouses. Indian formals like suits and sarees can also work.

Q2: How can I research the school before the interview?

Ans: For thorough research on the school, go through their website and social media. Also check reviews to get an even better idea.

Q3: What to do when I am unsure of the answer to a question?

Ans: Stay calm and take some time to think of an answer. If not, then admit that you don’t know the answer.

Type of interview	Description
One on one interview	A direct interview with someone from the school administration
Situational interview	A situation where you are given spontaneous scenarios to test your flexibility/adaptability.
Panel interview	A panel of multiple interviewers like administration members & other teachers, ask you questions
Teaching demonstration	Candidates are asked to conduct mock lessons, generally to get an idea of their teaching style as well as subject knowledge
Peer interview	Current teachers conduct interviews to check how well the candidate will fit in with the teaching group and the school culture.

Dos	Don’ts
Ask meaningful questions about the school’s culture and learning philosophy	Avoid giving generic answers
Give answers that are concise yet informative	Say something negative about your previous employers, as it will give a poor impression.
Highlight student centric approach	Arrive unprepared, as it shows that you don’t take this interview seriously.