So, you’ve been offered an interview. Congratulations.
I’ve been on a variety of forums where I’ve seen people, who’ve been invited to interview, asking what to expect. I did three interviews before I was accepted, so I’ll share my experiences with you.
The First Interview
I arrived and had to submit a vast array of ID documents: passport, birth certificate, exam certificates, proof of address things (originals and photocopies). Then there was a bit of waiting around for everyone to arrive. In total there were five of us, some Undergrad, some Postgrad, some who’d been working in the ‘real world’ for a few years; and all for different subjects.
We were introduced to a tutor from the course, and then given a tour of the university (or, at least, the key areas for PGCE students) by a current student.
I’ve been on a variety of forums where I’ve seen people, who’ve been invited to interview, asking what to expect. I did three interviews before I was accepted, so I’ll share my experiences with you.
The First Interview
I arrived and had to submit a vast array of ID documents: passport, birth certificate, exam certificates, proof of address things (originals and photocopies). Then there was a bit of waiting around for everyone to arrive. In total there were five of us, some Undergrad, some Postgrad, some who’d been working in the ‘real world’ for a few years; and all for different subjects.
We were introduced to a tutor from the course, and then given a tour of the university (or, at least, the key areas for PGCE students) by a current student.
Next we were led into a room, where we were each given as
long as we needed to do a written exam. It had been specified in the interview
letter that there would be a written task to complete, so it wasn’t a total
shock. The Maths and Science candidates basically did a Maths and Science test.
The English candidates had to discuss how they’d teach an extract from
Shakespeare (extract provided). All candidates had to write about current
issues within education. I’d done some research on education issues, but wasn’t
completely au fait with it all.
Still, I gave it my best shot. I’d definitely suggest brushing up on issues in
education. I read this article yesterday. It’s a great starting point.
We then had to give a presentation. Our invite letter had said ‘a 5 minute presentation on a topic of your choice’. I didn’t know who I’d be presenting to, which threw me slightly. In the end, I just presented to a course tutor. It was a bit weird, especially the ‘any questions’ part.
After the presentation it was interview time. I was interviewed by the tutor who’d seen the presentation. The interview discussed why I want to teach, what experience I’d had in schools, current issues in education (again), favourites within the topic, etc.
That was it. I knew within the week that I’d been unsuccessful. The reason? Lack of school experience.
Second Interview
Again I’d been told that there would be a written exam, another presentation, another interview, and another mountain of paperwork to deliver. I had also been requested to complete a day in a local school, and to get the school to fill out an assessment form about me.
This time the presentation was a 5 minute ‘micro-teaching’ task. For those of us who aren’t yet teachers, this basically means a short classroom task based on a topic. We were all given the same topic to research before the interview day, and to arrange our micro-teaching task accordingly. Thankfully, this time, we were presenting in front of other candidates for the same subject. There were four for the subject, reduced from about twenty people who were there for other subjects.
The written exam was based entirely on teaching methods.
Again, unsuccessful.
We then had to give a presentation. Our invite letter had said ‘a 5 minute presentation on a topic of your choice’. I didn’t know who I’d be presenting to, which threw me slightly. In the end, I just presented to a course tutor. It was a bit weird, especially the ‘any questions’ part.
After the presentation it was interview time. I was interviewed by the tutor who’d seen the presentation. The interview discussed why I want to teach, what experience I’d had in schools, current issues in education (again), favourites within the topic, etc.
That was it. I knew within the week that I’d been unsuccessful. The reason? Lack of school experience.
Second Interview
Again I’d been told that there would be a written exam, another presentation, another interview, and another mountain of paperwork to deliver. I had also been requested to complete a day in a local school, and to get the school to fill out an assessment form about me.
This time the presentation was a 5 minute ‘micro-teaching’ task. For those of us who aren’t yet teachers, this basically means a short classroom task based on a topic. We were all given the same topic to research before the interview day, and to arrange our micro-teaching task accordingly. Thankfully, this time, we were presenting in front of other candidates for the same subject. There were four for the subject, reduced from about twenty people who were there for other subjects.
The written exam was based entirely on teaching methods.
Again, unsuccessful.
Third Interview
So, this came as a bit of a shock, as I’d almost given up on
being accepted on to a PGCE course this year. The letter this time told me to
expect to do a short written task, a classroom based task, and to prepare a 5
minute lesson introduction on a topic of my choice. I was also told who’d be
receiving the presentation, and which age group to aim it at. Brilliant. I also
noted that I didn’t need such a (in my opinion) ridiculous amount of paperwork.
I was greeted by the course tutor, who led me to a room to complete my written tasks; one of which would be discussed in the interview, the other for the assessors to review. I had 45 minutes.
After, I went to the tutor’s office, where I met a mentor from a partner school. Here I delivered my presentation (great fun- really. Everyone had fun. It helped to relax me at least). Then we went straight into the interview, where I answered questions on how I’d teach different elements and different age groups. We then discussed one of the written tasks, as a teacher/pupil scenario.
I was accepted. Wahey!
Pointers
So, if you’ve been invited to interview, here are some suggestions from me:
I was greeted by the course tutor, who led me to a room to complete my written tasks; one of which would be discussed in the interview, the other for the assessors to review. I had 45 minutes.
After, I went to the tutor’s office, where I met a mentor from a partner school. Here I delivered my presentation (great fun- really. Everyone had fun. It helped to relax me at least). Then we went straight into the interview, where I answered questions on how I’d teach different elements and different age groups. We then discussed one of the written tasks, as a teacher/pupil scenario.
I was accepted. Wahey!
Pointers
So, if you’ve been invited to interview, here are some suggestions from me:
-Be prepared to have to work quickly. In each case, I only
had 2 weeks max from receiving the letter to the interview date.
-Read and re-read around your subject and issues in education
-Prepare and practice any presentation you may need to give. If you’re confident in it, you’ll enjoy it.
-When you get there, relax (but remain professional). Your interviewers will know that you’re nervous, and they’re not there to trick you or to catch you out.
-If you’re unsure about anything, just contact the university. They’ll be happy to help. If you’re uncomfortable with contacting the uni, try forums. There will be people in the same position as you.
-Don’t plan anything else for the day. I’ve had interview days that have lasted from two to six hours.
-Dress for the office. If you look professional, you’ll act professional, you’ll be treated as a professional.
-Make a list of any questions that you have. This will be the best chance to ask them.
-And finally, surround yourself with family and friends. Getting an interview does not guarantee you a place. After putting so much effort into everything that you have to prepare, getting a rejection is hard! Having a good support system will give you that boost to get back on the horse and put just as much effort into your next interview.
-Oh, no, one more. If you are rejected, contact the university to ask why. You can take their feedback and work on it to improve your chances at the next interview.
Good luck!
-Read and re-read around your subject and issues in education
-Prepare and practice any presentation you may need to give. If you’re confident in it, you’ll enjoy it.
-When you get there, relax (but remain professional). Your interviewers will know that you’re nervous, and they’re not there to trick you or to catch you out.
-If you’re unsure about anything, just contact the university. They’ll be happy to help. If you’re uncomfortable with contacting the uni, try forums. There will be people in the same position as you.
-Don’t plan anything else for the day. I’ve had interview days that have lasted from two to six hours.
-Dress for the office. If you look professional, you’ll act professional, you’ll be treated as a professional.
-Make a list of any questions that you have. This will be the best chance to ask them.
-And finally, surround yourself with family and friends. Getting an interview does not guarantee you a place. After putting so much effort into everything that you have to prepare, getting a rejection is hard! Having a good support system will give you that boost to get back on the horse and put just as much effort into your next interview.
-Oh, no, one more. If you are rejected, contact the university to ask why. You can take their feedback and work on it to improve your chances at the next interview.
Good luck!
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