Language Study

» Joni Rose - Hi Mario,

I wanted to tell you a story about an educational job interview that I went on. It was to be the Director of a university career resource centre for students.

I was asked to give a PowerPoint presentation on "The Role of a University Career Centre". After the presentation, I answered questions from a 5 person panel. Then a student actor came in for career counseling and I was to counsel her while the panel looked on through a 2 way mirror. Talk about an intense interview!

When I asked the "student" why she was coming for counseling - she responded with "I have NO idea what I want to do". When I asked her about her favorite subjects in high school - "Home Ec" but she didn't want to cook for a living. Let's just say that it was obvious that she was told to make this the career counselling session from hell! Ha!

All of that and they had an internal candidate in mind for the position!

Ahhhh well, chalk it up to experience!

Joni

» Irene Taylor - Intense situations!

You both have related two very intense interviews! Wow - my heart was pounding just reading about facing a panel like that!

I actually had a similar interview situation as well - I guess those pressure cooker panel interviews are more common than we think.

Years ago we considered moving to the area where we now live - and I interviewed for a teaching job at a well-known school in the area. It was in a conference room with the principal and 5 other teachers. Very stressful, and in the end I decided not to take the job, even though they were quite interested. The school used an open classroom model - and I was a traditional teacher, so I had reservations on the fit. In the end, we ended up moving here on our own terms, but I sure could have used a Mrs. Melvin to settle my nerves that day!

Great article Mario and excellent advice for anyone interviewing for a position, be it teaching or in another area.

Irene

» mrjcorbin - Hi Mario,

Hi Joni,

I feel your anxiety. I don't particularly care for such long interviews myself as often the questions too can be repetitive, as I find many employers will ask the same question but in different ways in order to see if you truly grasp the task(s) at hand.

Nevertheless, thank you for your comments. I hope that you are enjoying your time here with suite 101. If only this could be our full time job, eh?! Take care.

Mario

-- posted by mrjcorbin