Lead Like a PIRATE

Transforming the Interviewing Norm

Hiring is one of the most important decisions for school leaders. Each staff addition is an opportunity to make a school better. Standard interview questions may be necessary, but questions that require deeper thinking and can’t necessarily be practiced can really give you a lot of information and speak to your candidate’s passion and greatness.

In Lead Like A Pirate, Shelley and Beth discuss “Getting the Right People On The Ship” (p 99-102). On page 101, they share 15 Sample Interview Questions. If you haven’t checked these out, these questions will really make candidates think and they will help you to get a clear picture of the potential for greatness.

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to host the #LeadLAP chat around this very topic. Participants shared a variety of ideas throughout the chat. (A BIG SHOUT OUT to Sari Goldberg @sgeach_sari for capturing these interview questions during this chat) Check out all these great questions that our PLN compiled!

Convince me that I should put my child in your classroom.
After a year, how will we know you have been here?
What do you do when a student refuses to work?
If I just observed your classroom and walked out and said, “Wow!” What will I have just seen?
What do you see as the biggest obstacles of learning?
How do you seek to build relationships with students?
Why did you choose this profession?
If you couldn’t be a teacher what would you do and why?
What are some books you have read recently read and how have the supported/shifted your practice and stretched your thinking?
Tell us the best advice you’ve ever received.
How do you handle a situation in which a student does not want to learn?
Why do you want this position in this school?
The interview is over, and you’re driving home. What is the one thing you wish we would have asked you so that you could really show us how special you are?
What’s a mistake you recently made and what did you learn from it?
What are you curious about?
Who is in your PLN?
What would your classroom hashtag be and how would you use it?
Tell us about your most challenging student and how you maintained acceptance and grace in your class community?
What is the toughest situation you have dealt with as an educator and how did you work through it?
How do you handle it when you disagree with an administrative decision about behavior?
When you leave this job what will your legacy be?
What’s a challenge facing education and what can be done to address it?
If you could place a banner above your door what would it say and look like?
If you were on a deserted island what 3 items would you bring with you (not people)?
If I was to ask you to present to our staff right at this moment, what topic would you choose?
Who are you outside the school building? What community involvement do you currently have or what could you get involved in?
Tell us your teacher story.
What growth areas in your teaching are you focused on to stretch or grow
Share about a time you mishandled a situation and how you attempted to correct it or repair the relationship.
Of all the types of candy out there, which best exemplifies your teaching and why?
Tell us what you know about our school.
You have just been given $1000 for your classroom, what it on your list?
What questions were you expecting that we didn’t ask?

For any of you who have been involved in interviewing recently, the final question is usually something like, “Do you have any questions for us or is there anything you haven’t told us about yourself that you would like us to know?”

As the interviewee, you should take the opportunity to use this question to your benefit. This is one final chance to really show that you are a thoughtful learner who is willing to go above and beyond for this school. Below, you will find some questions you might ask that will further show your fitness for the position you applied for.

What haven’t I told you about myself that would show you that I’m the best person for this job?
What is a problem your currently facing that I could help solve?
What professional learning opportunities would I have at the school? I want to know what the (leaders) are passionate about. And, I want to know what areas they are looking to improve upon.
How can I help you move forward with an initiative?
Identify a glow and grow of this school.
What made you want to work in this district?
What is something you are looking for in a candidate?
What’s the difference between good and great people here?
What is your favorite thing about your school?
What are you looking for in a candidate?

PIRATE Leaders are continually looking for greatness. You can’t find greatness with standard questions. Think about asking questions that will really help you see if this interviewee is passionate, dedicated, and ready to not just follow…but to lead your staff to greatness. We can’t become great without great teachers doing great things every single day. Find those that aren’t afraid of greatness and bring them to your school. The impact they have on your students will be evident immediately. The impact they have on those around them will be everlasting.

– Jay Billy, author of Lead with Culture