What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren’t likely to offer?

Q:  What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren’t likely to offer?
A:   I’m keenly aware of how the new standards are impacting classroom teachers.  I know how teachers struggle with the implementation of those standards simply because I was asked to do the same in my student teaching experience.  I learned very quickly that standards-based education is much more than a knowledge of the standards – it’s a commitment to an ideal, a philosophy that can have a significant impact on student learning.

            This question provides you with a unique opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of current issues, concerns, or initiatives in education.  It is not really a question of how much better you are than others, but rather one that shows how knowledgeable you are about the wider world of education.  If the competition is good, as it would be by this stage of the hiring process, then this question (and your response) should let the interviewer know that you’re bringing something extra to the position.  Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others (“I’m more qualified than anyone else because….”), but rather show what you do know (and let the interviewer make the comparison in his or her head).