VEC interview - Any advice, plz???

LaineyGlee

Hi all,

I have a VEC interview next week and was hoping that some of you may have advice for me. I qualifed as a business teacher in 09 and failed to secure any job, so I returned to college and did a Masters. Prior to this I worked in industry and did some travelling. My teaching experience is limited and feel that this may come against me.

I have only had one teaching interview to date (where I knew the job was already gone) and this was not in the VEC sector. I am fairly apprehensive about this interview and want to do my best, as it's in an ideal location for me - 'the perfect job' type.

Does anyone know the format of a VEC interview. From what I have read on here it would seem that they are more stringent than possibly other sectors? Plus the job was advertised with 'Resource' and advantage. I don't have actual resource experience per se but know alot of the theory etc...

Outside of the usuall questions re: subject knowledge, classroom management, discipline can you identify other areas of questioning..

Would greatly appreciate any advice that ye might have (P.S. really need a job to start paying back all the debt from fees:o)

spurious

They will follow your application form to begin with.

Depending on what VEC it is, they may like you to know something about some of their schools, if the position is not for a particular school.

You should know what the work of a resource teacher involves. Know the usual stuff like IEPs, IBPs, JCSP etc.

Vinoveritas

2 potentially tough questions:

What mistakes (if any) have you made in the classroom (or in any other work situations) and what have you learnt from them?
Answer: give an answer that shows that you are reflective; and that you have learnt something positive from the situation. Always room for improvement!!

What if any weakness do you have in relation to teaching (or work in general)?
Answer: here again give an answer that if flipped can also be seen as a positive i.e. as a young teacher I am extremely passionate about my subject area and get excited by all the wonderful resources that are available to me, and that I can introduce to the students in order to excite them and engage them with the subect. However, I am aware that I need to allow adequate time to do the curriculum justice - that is a balance that I look forward to working out!!

Simpler Questions:
What do you know about our VEC? Check out their website!! No excuse in this day and age for not knowing!!
Is there anything you would like to ask us?
Ans: Yes - have one or two questions prepared i.e. I see on your website that alot of participant in the TY programme - do many of them take part in any Enterprise Programmes? If the answer is yes - nod approvingly - if the answer is no - indicates a potential willingness to get involved.

Finally, good luck with your interview - let us know how it goes.
Cheers

Miss Lockhart

I teach Biology. When I had a VEC interview I was asked specific scientific questions relating to both the LC and JC course - such as to describe Mitosis, explain the Krebs Cycle, list the equipment needed for 2 specific experiments in JC Chemistry course.

I gather this is unusual, but I suppose they could ask you specific topics from the course.

Delphi91

Have a look here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=66402920&postcount=4

LaineyGlee

Thanks for all the advice. Slightly freeked out now but better to have this insight before the interview!!

The interview is for North Tipp VEC but did not state which school. There are 5 school's in total under this VEC. Should I know something about each school or the VEC ethos in general?

Re: subject knowledge - While I have gone through the 2010 exam papers, I only had knowledge of the curriculum outline not necessarily individual topic areas, so thanks for that..

Sample questions are really helpful, keep them coming if you think of more!

Thanks again - will let you know how I get on:)

lisadwt

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

I teach Biology. When I had a VEC interview I was asked specific scientific questions relating to both the LC and JC course - such as to describe Mitosis, explain the Krebs Cycle, list the equipment needed for 2 specific experiments in JC Chemistry course.

I gather this is unusual, but I suppose they could ask you specific topics from the course.

Was this interview in May and did you have a second one in June by any chance? Think I had the same one????

Miss Lockhart

lisadwt wrote: »

Was this interview in May and did you have a second one in June by any chance? Think I had the same one????

No, this was in 2008. Obviously it's more common than people think though!

eager tortoise

I did about 5 interviews last year before I got a job! The questions that stick in my mind are the following:
1. Can you think of a time when you had to deal with challenging/confrontational behaviour in the classroom? How did you deal with it? - best to prepare some kind of example, even if you think you might handle such an incident differently now. Reflection on practice is viewed as a very positive thing I think.
2. What would you do if a student had not handed up homework for two weeks? - had been pre-warned about questions such as these. First thing to say is that you would not wait two weeks before taking action!
3. How would you teach a specific 'boring' element of your course to a difficult or weak class group? How would you engage their interest?
4. Why did you decide to become a teacher?
5. What extra activities would you be willing to participate in in the school?

Those are just a few off the top of my head. Good advice above as well about having a couple of questions about the school prepared for when they ask you at the end.

When I went into the last interview I did, the one that finally got me a job, I went in with the most determined attitude I have ever had in an interview siuation. I had made a list of key points that I was determined to get in (i.e. examples of past successes) and made sure I got them in, even if I was not asked about them directly. (Not de-railing the conversation or anything, just slipping them in wherever possible). At the end of the day, if you believe you will be excellent in the job you have to make them see that in any way you can! Self belief is the best asset you can bring to an interview!

P.S. Also I brought copies of everything I had results wise and references wise. The interviewers didn't ask for them but I gave them in anyway at the end for them to throw an eye over. Don't think it was a bad idea.