You are the interviewer...*UPDATE!*

[JodieWodie]

If you were interviewing me for the position of Teaching Assistant in an Infant School...
what questions would you fire at me ?
seriously

Thanks in advance

JO x
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Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[8316]

"Why do you want to be a teaching assistant at this school?"
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[8316]

"What makes you stand out from other candidates?"
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[LustyLew]

"What would you say are you weaknesses?"
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[akaDAVE]

When can you start?
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GSXR600

[veeeffarr]

Where do you see yourself 5 years in the future?

[Annabella]

"What can you bring to the team?"

"What are your reasons for wishing to become a teaching assistant?"
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[LustyLew]

"A child comes to you with <insert sensitive problem here>. How would you deal with it?"
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[Annabella]

They might ask you about data protection and confidentiality.

Though as a teaching assistant you should never be alone with a child to be in this position.
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[Skunkcap Freddie]

you suspect a child has head lice, What do you do ?

[Mrs Kickstart]

How would you deal with a child kicking the c**p out of you ?
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[dodsi]

"Have you ever spent any time with micheal jackson and/or garry glitter?"

[biker-dj]

Do you like children
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[LustyLew]

[Annabella]

[FreshAL]

What ideas have you got for connecting/engaging with the kids?

How will you be supporting the teacher?

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

"Do you ever feel tempted to touch the children in 'special places'".[/quote]
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[JodieWodie]

Thanks all for the SERIOUS questions !!

What do you say to the ..where do you see yourself in X years question??
I hate that one

J x
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[veeeffarr]

[swampy]

What would you do if one of the kids came up to you and told you that they were being touched by a member of their family, but didnt want you tell anyone ?

What do you understand of the Childrens act ? (probably wont ask much about this, but if you gen up on the salient points and drop them in, it cant do any harm.)

One of the kids runs away from the classroom and is intent on going home, what action do you take ?

They will almost certainly put in some scenario questions as well as the general 'what can you bring to the job' blah blah...


____________________
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[cagiva gezzer]

What is your greatest achievement in your life?

That one really got me.
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[colin1]

Do you have a recent CRB ?

What experience do you have of working with children ?

Would you be comfortable taking charge of the class if the teacher has to do other things ? (to managment you say yes as it would help them, to normal teaching staff you say no as if you say yes you could be a threat to their position if the school uses more teaching assistants to take lessons)

What do you know about the role ? (brownie points if you have researched)

What is your maths like ?

What is your spelling like ?

When did you last lose your temper ? and why

What do you think about children at infant school doing tests that will decide where they will be in a few years time ?

rolepay

you are told child x has a a particular emotional/ learning problem, how would you deal with it in different situations.

If a child has a problem but says they will only tell you what it is if you promise not to tell anyone, will you listen ?

You have to tell them that you cant promise to keep it a secret if you are supposed to tell someone about it because you might need to tell someone else to help them. It might just be that there cat has died but if they are being sexually assaulted and they tell you, you cant keep that a secret and if you promised not to tell they will feel betrayed and wont trust anyone to be able to help stop it. Bit of a tricky one that, that you can talk about at length and show how wise and caring you are.

Also try to get a feel for the school and what managment style they have. Some schools are happy clappy informal and want someone like that, other schools are sticklers for discipline. You need to try to fit in with the way the school does things. They will be looking for someone who fits rather than just the best candidate.
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[JodieWodie]

Well, went for the interview this afternoon.
As soon as I walked in, there were 3 stoney faced people.
I mean STONE

The Headteacher a Miss E (about 50+) sort of smiled at me... we shook hands.

I was then fired with loads of questions. I answered all. Quite easy really.

I have been offered the job, they called half an hour ago and left a message.

Trouble is....
I don't want it !!
This has never happened to me before.
I cannot let them down. If I had picked the phone up I would have accepted the job.

Thing is... I like a laugh, etc... they are just too formal and structured. You could tell.

I asked about dress code... the HM quipped back "Smart "!!
Fast as you like "Ooo, yes, yes"

My Fiance is going mad at me for not telling them I don't want the job as 'I wont fit in after seeing you at interview..blah blah'

I can't do that !!
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[Annabella]

Did you get a tour of the school?

Have a look at the OFSTED report for them, that should give you a better idea of the atmosphere at the school and their targets.


It is a worthwhile job to consider, once you have experience as a classroom assistant you will walk into another job elsewhere - that way you can look for schools you would enjoy working in.
____________________
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[JodieWodie]

No, they wouldn't let me tour the school they...
'didnt have time'

The OFSTED report was good.. too good in my opinion, if there is such a thing

They were just so stuck-up

Makes me appreciate what I already have

They called back earlier...
I told them I had taken a position elsewhere (best thing I could think of) !!

Stress over

I am sticking where I am

Better the Devil ya know
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"