Sunday, February 13, 2011

Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make - Part II

The previous blog provided you with some of the most common mistakes candidates make during an interview.  This post will include an additional 21 "boo-boo's" that often show up in teacher interviews.  Take a look at these and decide which ones might be problematic for you.  As with the previous posting, you will notice that all of these are under your direct control - all of these can be eliminated or reduced by you!  Let's take a look:
23. Not knowing current educational issues ("Response to Intervention...never heard of it!")
24. Know-it-alls
25. No knowledge of the school or district
26. Asking inappropriate questions ("Hey, dude, how much am I going to get paid for this job?")
27. Telling the interviewer what you think she/he wants to know
28. You believe your methods and philosophies are the only (or best) ones ("Differentiated instruction is a crock - I know how to whip all those kids into shape!")
29. Inflexibility
30. Negative body language
31. Demonstrates poor listening skills
32. Unwilling (or unable) to accept responsibility ("My professors obviously didn't know what they were talking about.")
33. No sense of direction
34. Lacks confidence and self-esteem ("Whatever you think.")
35. Is discourteous, ill-mannered, and disrespectful
36. "Not my job" syndrome ("Hey, you're not going to make me take some silly bus duty, are you?")
37. Blaming students ("I got that 'B' in student teaching 'cause I had some really stupid kids.')
38. Lack of passion
39. Engages in inappropriate behaviors
40. Volunteers inappropriate information ("My boyfriend is in jail for about the next six years.")
41. Is dishonest or deceptive
42. Is self-centered
43. Doesn't follow up ("Thank you notes are only for girlie types...and I'm not a girlie type")

     Later in this blog we'll address each one of these common mistakes in greater detail.  You'll learn why these behaviors can doom your interview and what (specifically) you can do to prevent them from ever happening.  Stay tuned!

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