[Gingersnapsmom]

SO, I have been trying to get up the courage to use my education and get out of the food and nutrition/kitchen dept. of the hospital. Last week I found a job listed on a website for education positions. It is working full-time in the special ed. dept. with an intensive needs student. I hate interviews so much. I will be interviewed by a panel. Good news is that it would be a HUGE step for me to get a "real" job. It's full time and for the first time in my life I would have weekends and holidays (summers!) off! I plan to take a half a klonopin before I go (this has helped me in the past). Any tips?? I've never done this work before. I have a degree in psychology and a grown son with autism. Those are my only "qualifications."

[Elektra_]

hi. prepare urself for it. search for all type of questions they can ask u for u to know how to answer. do u think they will ask specific things about special ed? if so, review the topics. when in there, if u get nervous talk to urself internally... "getting nervous is worse" "breathe!" "its all good" so on... dont forget to smile, nice posture. good luck

[Gingersnapsmom]

Thanks! Yes, there are questions specific to special education services and I have been refreshing on what my son received when he was in school and also I have been searching the web!

[technigal]

The interview questions that are hardest for me are:

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Where do you want to be in five years? ten years?
3. Why should we hire you?

Those are the ones that even when I prepare answers ahead of time I completely forget at the time of the interview.

Good Luck tomorrow!

[live2ski66]

Originally Posted by technigal

The interview questions that are hardest for me are:

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Where do you want to be in five years? ten years?
3. Why should we hire you?

Those are the ones that even when I prepare answers ahead of time I completely forget at the time of the interview.

Good Luck tomorrow!

In a panel interview there is always the leader and his support staff. Sometimes the leader will sit off to the side. Just trying to rattle you. The leader should introduce himself and colleagues. If all they mention is their name, you can ask them which area they represent. This shows them you are interested beyond the interview. At the end, you shake hands with all of them and if you have something personal to say, go for it. Perhaps one of them studied at your university or is from your hometown. Something small that will make you stand out. They will remember your warmth and interest in the position instead of the ten year gap.

On the question, tell me about yourself, where go you want to be..., why should we hire you.
When telling them about yourself you don't want to repeat your resume. Give them something fun and different. For example if you travelled a lot, tell them what you liked most about it, for example meeting new people.
The where do you want to be.... I assume there is a career path after you start teaching. If you love teaching, tell them that, mention the career path and that you might be interested in the future but for now you want to focus on the present where you know you will make a difference.
Why should we hire you, again, they have your resume so don't repeat it. I would mention the personal experience you've earned helping your child. Give them a couple of success examples. Finish of by complimenting their program, what you like about it and how certain you are that you are a strong candidate.
Sorry for the length, hope it helps. Good Luck!

[Gingersnapsmom]

Wow, I don't think it went very well. I was SO damn nervous. I got there 20 min. early...at 9:10 (my appt. was at 9:30). They were all waiting for me in the conference room and looked pissed! The coodinator said my appt. was for 9 and I said "I'm sorry, my appt. was scheduled for 9:30. She looked at her notes and plopped her paper down and never said she'd made a mistake. Anyway....lots of questions I had no clue how to answer. The coordinator (she was the one off to the side and clearly the leader btw--that was right on and she was the ******) asked when I would be able to start and I told her that I need to give my current employer the courtesy of 2 weeks notice and she said that they needed someone immediately. If they call they must really need somebody. There are 2 openings. I am baffled as to how to get a damn job with my degree and no experience doing the job. Anyway...now I'm jumping around and not sure I want to work there at all. I hate having borderline!!!

[Elektra_]

lol i thought she was pissed of u getting there too early. did she apologize? dont forget that u shouldnt arrive more than 10 min before the scheduled. did the offer say they wanted immediately? and maybe this one is too demanding for someone starting? or the company is too demanding? its always an experience for u to train interviews and u never know if hey wont call. tc

[technigal]

Sorry that the interview went so poorly. It is so hard trying to get experience in your field when no one will hire you without experience.

[live2ski66]

Sometimes "immediately" takes into account the two week notice. Another thing do is put jasmine essential oil on the collar of my shirt. Jasmine tends to calm me down. I get early to my interviews, but I stay in my car listening to relaxing music. I check in 5-10 minutes before.
If you are still interested in the job, write them a thank you email. If you have everyone's email that's even better. It shows your interest and attentive skills. In the thank you note apologize for the scheduling confusion. Say something like you realize they are very busy people and you don't want to waste their time. Then spend a paragraph with the highlights of the interviews, things they might have indicated they like. The next paragraph talk about you. Acknowledge this will be your first job in the field, that you are very dedicated and not afraid to put in extra time to meet the learning curve. Tell them something unique about you that you will bring to the job. Finish off by thanking them again and offering them the opportunity to contact you if the have additional questions or need clarification. Repeat again "I am looking forward to bringing my skill set to your organization and being a part of the outstanding service they provide".
Let me know if you need help. Glad to do it.

[Gingersnapsmom]

Originally Posted by live2ski66

Sometimes "immediately" takes into account the two week notice. Another thing do is put jasmine essential oil on the collar of my shirt. Jasmine tends to calm me down. I get early to my interviews, but I stay in my car listening to relaxing music. I check in 5-10 minutes before.
If you are still interested in the job, write them a thank you email. If you have everyone's email that's even better. It shows your interest and attentive skills. In the thank you note apologize for the scheduling confusion. Say something like you realize they are very busy people and you don't want to waste their time. Then spend a paragraph with the highlights of the interviews, things they might have indicated they like. The next paragraph talk about you. Acknowledge this will be your first job in the field, that you are very dedicated and not afraid to put in extra time to meet the learning curve. Tell them something unique about you that you will bring to the job. Finish off by thanking them again and offering them the opportunity to contact you if the have additional questions or need clarification. Repeat again "I am looking forward to bringing my skill set to your organization and being a part of the outstanding service they provide".
Let me know if you need help. Glad to do it.

Thank you so much! I have decided to give this one a pass but am continuing to look and have def. learned something from this experience. I am thinking that maybe volunteering in the schools in my district (this job interview was for another district) would be extremely beneficial.

[live2ski66]

My pleasure Gingersnapmom. If at some point you want to role play interview let me know and we can schedule something.