A Great First Impression

That big job interview doesn't have to be a nightmare. With the right tips, you can present yourself at your very best.

You've scouted out the jobs and sent out the applications, and now the big moment has arrived: you've been called for your first job interview. All at once you're overcome with elation, excitement, and extreme terror as your mind races: What will they ask me? What will I say? What am I going to wear?

Take a breath. By following a few reliable tips you'll have the edge you need to wow your interviewers and walk away with the job you want.

A good place to start is with some pre-interview detective work, says Candace Lilyquist, Student Program organizer in Minnesota.

"You can get more comfortable with the interview process if you know some details about it," says Lilyquist. "The more you know in advance, the fewer surprises will come your way, and you'll come off as more prepared and more confident."

Lilyquist suggests calling the school or school district ahead of time to learn more about the interview process. Find out who will interview you. Will it be a panel or one person in the first round? How many rounds of interviews can you expect? And will teaching a lesson or showing a sample lesson plan be part of the process?

But you're research shouldn't end there.

"To appear more relaxed and conversational, it doesn't hurt to know about the colors and mascot of the school and about the community that supports the school," says Lynda Gebhard, Student Program organizer for Washington. "And knowing more important information, like the size of the school and the programs it offers, will make you a stronger candidate."

Once you've done your homework, and you're ready to interview, be confident from the start.

"Remember, all candidates who receive an interview are qualified," says Gebhard. "So just show some genuine confidence, but not egotism."

Dressing professionally also ensures you make a strong first impression. Keep the local community in mind when you decide what to wear on your big day, though, says Lilyquist. While a business suit may be appropriate in an affluent school district, most places are slightly less formal. A jacket and tie for men and a professional dress for women may be the way to go, she says. But, a few rules apply regardless of location: "No hats, no shorts, no tennis shoes," says Gebhard. "And no gum."

Once you're dressed for success, don't forget to bring along the tools you'll need to show you have substance as well as style.

Take along multiple copies of your r³sum³ to distribute, says Lilyquist, and bring pictures of yourself from your student teaching to complement your explanation of your experience. A video of yourself teaching also can be an asset, but make sure it's high quality. A poorly produced video can hurt rather than enhance the image you want to project, she says. Finally, make sure you have good questions ready to ask the interviewer. You will look more professional if you evaluate the school while the staff evaluates you, she says.

And always answer questions honestly, while still focusing on your positive attributes, adds Gebhard. If an interviewer asks about your weaknesses, for instance, talk about areas where you can grow, she suggests.

Don't forget to discuss your experiences working with parents, either, suggests Amanda Froom, former president of the Student chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Froom, now a middle school teacher, landed a job last year straight out of college.

"And a final tip: be yourself," Froom says. "That's the only way you'll come off comfortable—and the only way you'll come off as confident and professional."

—Matt Simon