I interviewed for a job yesterday... I stunk. I'm so out of practice. I sort of thought that I'd get the job but not based on the interview for sure! It was for a teaching position at a school that I get requested to sub at a LOT -- kind of wondered if I'd get hired based on that??? But, I got a call from the Principal yesterday and she told me that they went with another applicant.

I feel like a dope. I spilled my guts to a group of women that I'd never have spilled my guts to in real life (!) and now I have to go on subbing amongst this group. I'll be so embarrassed. I'm really quite a private person.

It was good practice and I learned a lot about myself from going through the process -- main thing is that I've been out of the loop too long.

Sigh. So disappointed in myself... not even that upset that I didn't get the job! I honestly like the flexibility of subbing but the paycheck and schedule would have worked well for me and my family.

Thanks for reading.

I'm sorry you didn't get the position. What you did get was experience with the interview process. The more interviews you do, the more savvy you will become. Keep your eye open for another position coming up. When interviewing, keep the subject professional, stray away from personal issues, and stress what you can do to benefit the organization. Make your qualities shine!

I congratulate you for going through the process. Don't let the results get you down. A position will come up in the future that will be a perfect fit for both you and the organization.

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We're off to never never land

Sorry to hear that you weren't selected Cuthie. It was great practice for you though and I am sure they will continue to request you as a sub.

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I'm sorry...there's not much I can say except here's some hugs (((Cuthie))) Just look at it as good practice and try not to be so hard on yourself. For the next interview, you will be more than prepared! Good luck! ~Lisa

As a former teacher, it always helped me to make a list of questions that might be asked at the interview. Have someone interview you and practice your responses. It's always good to know what is required at the grade level you're applying for. In Texas, the fourth graders have to pass the TAKS writing test so a fourth grade teacher would need to be knowledgeable about the writing process. In the interview, that would be a selling point. You need to convince the principal why you should be hired. Focus on your strengths. Good luck!

I am sorry that you didn't get the job.
I am sure that you will do better next time.
You learned from this interview.


I think back to all the things that I did wrong. I did learn though.
Sending Hugs,
Shirley

It sucks to get all excited about a job and then not get it.

Since you have subbed at the school many times, and presumably have a relationship then with at least one of the interviewers, you might ask if you could have a follow-up interview. That actually isn't the term I'm looking for, but for the life of me I can't remember what we call them at work.

Anyway, it is a chance for you to ask how you could improve your interview skills in the future. It may show them that you truly are interested in working for them, and they may be able to give some advice that would help you down the road.

This wouldn't work in all job interviews because most places wouldn't take the time, but since you sub there it can't hurt to ask.

Awww! Teaching interviews are so stressful!

I have a teacher board I go to that has a board where you can get interview help. PM me if you want the site

Good luck next time. Perhaps something will open there later if you really want to teach there.

"It was good practice and I learned a lot about myself from going through the process" Exactly the attitiude to take here.


You put yourself out there and made the effort to go after the position. Congratulate yourself for your effort. I am sorry that it didn't go as well as you had planned, but most likely not as bad as you imagine. Ease up on yourself. Perhaps a better opportunity is around the corner.

Thank you for all of the kind words.

I had a phone call from the teacher friend who suggested that I apply (the job was a job share with her doing the morning Kindergarten, I was applying for afternoon part time -- former teacher is leaving because her DH's job transferred him).

She said that I didn't do anything at all wrong in the interview and that she appreciated me going as far as I did with the application/interview process. Let me tell you, it was quite a process and took a lot of time and energy so I do appreciate her appreciating it!!!

She told me that they hired an aide who works at the school who has a teaching certificate... so, yes, inside politics. Sigh.

It really was a good learning experience for me. DH and DS's have been very sweet and supportive of how it turned out and I really do love the flexibility that subbing has to offer.

Thanks again. It was really getting me down.

The same thing happened to me a couple of mos. ago. I went for an interview @Starbucks in the fall. I actually cried during the interview (not good!). The person doing the interview asked me how my life was different than it was one year ago. Well, one year ago, my son was undergoing chemo, radiation, and having multiple hospital stays, and it basically just sucked. I just welled up w/ emotion @ the question. I didn't get the job. The next interview I went to, a few weeks later, I nailed. So, I'm thinking, if you didn't cry, then you did a whole lot better than me after being a SAHM for so long!!

Oh well I hate to sound corny but it just was not the job for you. I am very pleased that you can laugh about it and that you say it was practice and you learned from it after all that's what life is about.

Next time you will nail it for sure!!! And think of the doors you can knock on and perhaps walk through that you would not if you got this one.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Whenever I don't get what I'm applying for I always tell myself there's something better out there for me. It's not meant to be or where I need to be at this time in my life. As far as telling more information than you wanted, don't fret over it. Whatever you said is out there and you shouldn't live with regret. Keep your chin up! Something better is on the way for you!

sandy

Schools have to go through the proper job hiring steps. I know that lots of times when the interviews are conducted, the decision has already been made about who is going to be hired. They are simply going through the motions so no one can say that procedure wasn't followed.

Amen to that!
It is just procedure to them . It makes it hard when you don't know this!

Congratulations, Cuthie for going that far!

I'm glad you got the followup info from your friend, so you don't have to beat yourself up over the interview. You were probably absolutely great in there - I know that I end up fixating on something that I said when I'm reviewing an important conversation that took place. Then when I go over it with someone else who was there, they don't even remember the part that I felt was so awful.

I was going to say that if you did feel awkward subbing among the people who had been in attendance at the interview, any awkwardness would be over after the very next time you sub among them. But it seems like everything really was fine.

Don't forget your followup "Thank-You" letter - I think it's always a great way to put in a final good word about yourself, and on your own terms (not like the interview process, which is so much more 'reaction' responses). You never know when another position might come up ...

Sounds like you did just fine!

Cuthie -

I'm sorry that you didn't get the job and that you felt that your interview didn't go well. {{{Hugs}}} I do think that you are harder on yourself than you probably ought to be though.

One thing that I wanted to mention that I don't think has been brought up is the possibility that the school puts a VERY HIGH value on the job that you are doing for them today - a reliable, high-quality substitute teacher. It may not seem fair, but it may be the pragmatic thing to do from the perspective of the principal or whomever needs to balance the overall staffing portfolio. In other words, if they gave you the full-time position, perhaps they are left with a gaping hole for substitutes.

In any event, know that you are a superb teacher and that you put your heart and soul into the kids every day that you set foot in that school and that thought should keep your head held high!

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I was just going to say that about the hiring process. I just went through all this with looking for a job within a school. The first interview I went on, I walked out thinking, that had to be the worst interview I have ever done!!! I really felt like I didnt show who I am.

I had not interviewed in like 13 years or so. That weekend I did some studying up on common interview questions and things I might be asked. The next week I did 2 interviews that I walked out feeling great about. I got offered one of those jobs.

I also know the schools have to post the jobs even if someone from the inside already plans to take it.

If the school thought you were terrible they would not be calling you to sub!!!

Hang in there.

As disapointing as it is, at least you can't kick yourself because it wasn't anything you did wrong. It was a learning experience so it wasn't wasted time. On the plus side, if another opening comes up, you'll have already completed the hard part of the application process and the rest will be mostly a formality. You could still end up with the permanent job down the road. If you decide not to pursue another position, you can just enjoy the flexibility of your sub job. It sounds like you have a good attitude and that's so important in any field.