Teaching Interviews FAQ
Training & Development

Teaching Interviews FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for all things teaching interview.

The following FAQs Q&A covers a range of topics from interview tips, to working for/registering at Prospero. If you have any other questions please go to our feedback form or email us at teaching@prosperoteaching.com

Frequently Asked Questions


Q. How will an interview with a school usually be structured?

Interviews usually take place over half a day and your consultant will let you know the programme for the day. You will be asked about your experience of working with children, your commitment to teaching and your relevant knowledge and skills.  It is likely to include an individual interview and an observed lesson.


Q. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

This is certain to be one of the first questions you’ll be asked during an interview for a teaching job. Everyone will have a different answer to this question, which is fine.

Give some thought to how you will answer and be as honest as possible. Many teachers discover that their love of children draws them to teaching, or that their own love of learning makes them passionate about teaching. Others are inspired by a teacher earlier in their education who had a positive impact on them.


Q. What is your teaching philosophy?

This is a typical question in a teaching job interview. Your teaching philosophy is a reflection of your education and classroom experience, developed during college or graduate school, and in the classrooms where you have taught. In order to prepare for your interview, you should review papers you have written and reflect on your personal philosophy.


Q. How would you manage your class if you were hired?

To answer this question you should be familiar with the school district’s philosophies on classroom management and discipline. Your answer will vary depending on what grade level you are applying for, your teaching style, and your previous experience in the classroom, with respect to the policies of the district to which you are applying.

Sample answers might include redirecting the student, involving students by agreeing on a set of classroom rules together as a class, having students sign a learning contract that they help create at the beginning of the year, listening to a student in a one-on-one meeting, mediating issues between students, and involving parents in the disciplinary process.

Be sure to give personal examples of your method – and how it worked well for you.


Q. How do you use technology in the classroom?

With all the new forms of technology available, schools are eager to incorporate it into their classrooms whenever possible. It’s important to assure your interviewer that you are familiar with and enthusiastic about using available technology. In addition, note that you are always looking to research new technologies to implement in your classroom, as they become available.


Q. Have you had experience boosting a student’s self-esteem? If so, how?

When answering this question, provide personal examples of how you have helped a student on an individual basis. Most likely, were you not only helping them with something that they were having difficulty with, but by showing them that they could do it, you also boosted their self-esteem.

Working one-on-one with students is a very effective way to boost self-esteem. They feel recognized as an individual – not overlooked in the classroom – and have a sense of pride in their achievement.


Q. Would you be interested in participating in after school activities?

During your interview, you want to show how enthusiastic, positive, and engaged you plan to be at school. Once you get the job, you can accept or decline any after-school activities based on your schedule and interest.

It is highly recommended, though, that you become involved by coaching, leading a club, or participating in homework help, at least until you are tenured. Some schools require participation in extra-curricular activities, and you should try to find out ahead of time what the school policy is.


Q. What major challenges and problems have you faced as a teacher? How did you handle them?

If asked this question, be sure to include specific examples of how you handled a particularly difficult situation. Discuss how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution.


Q. What applicable experience do you have?

When you are asked questions relating to experience that qualifies you for a job, it’s important to be very specific about your skills and experience.

The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. Focus most on responsibilities that are directly related to the new job’s requirements.


Q. What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

When you’re asked what you didn’t like about your previous job, don’t be too negative. The reason is that you don’t want the interviewer to think that you’ll speak negatively about the new job or the school when you’re ready to move on, if you get this job. Rather, it makes sense to talk about yourself and what you’re looking for in a new role.


Q. How do you handle stress and pressure?

Examples of good responses to this question include:

  •  Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.
  •  I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn’t become stressful.
  •  I actually work better under pressure and I’ve found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.
  • From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym every evening. It’s a great stress reducer.
  • Prioritizing my responsibilities, so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done when, has helped me effectively manage pressure on the job.

Q. What interests you about this job?

The best way to respond to this question is to describe the qualifications listed in the job posting, then connect them to your skills and experience. That way, the employer will see that you know about the job you’re interviewing for (not everyone does!) and that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job.

 Q. What qualifications/references do I need to work for Prospero Teaching?

To work as a teacher you will need to have a valid teaching qualification, have recent experience of teaching and be able to provide at least two references from recent teaching placements.

In order to work as a nursery nurse you must hold a relevant qualification and have at least two professional references covering the past two years.

For support workers we require you to have at least six weeks’ recent school-based experience and references covering the past two years.

Everyone working for us must possess a full clear Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.


Q. What type of work do you offer?

We offer daily supply work, long-term work, such as covering a maternity leave or long-term sickness, as well as full-time permanent positions for teachers, classroom assistants and nursery nurses.


 Q. How do I register with Prospero Teaching?

The simplest way is to send us your up-to-date CV and call us to discuss. From start to finish the process should take no more than a few days.

There are three stages to the registration process:

Stage 1 – Send us an up-to-date CV. Our experienced consultants can advise you on writing the perfect CV.

Stage 2 – Telephone vetting.  We will contact you on the phone and talk you through your CV and other information.  You will then be invited in for an interview.

Stage 3 – Face-to-face interview. When you come in for an interview you will need to bring in the following items to help us complete the process of clearing you for work:

  • Proof of the right to work in the UK
  • Proof of ID (if not the same as the above)
  • Proof of teaching qualifications
  • Proof of address
  • DBS if you have one
  • Details of teaching qualifications
  • Visa Details (if applicable)
  • Contact details of at least 2 professional references

The interview lasts between 30 minutes and an hour. Here you will be questioned regarding your experience of working within education, and will be able to discuss possible future work options with your consultant. You will also receive information on how we work.


Q: How do I get paid?

We will ensure that the rate that you receive, whether it’s day to day supply or a long term contract, reflects your qualifications, experience and the work that you do.

To process a pay claim all you will need to do is download and print out a copy of our timesheet and fill it in.

Once you have finished filling in your timesheet simply fax it to 0207 404 6323 or send it to our Payroll Department at accounts@prosperorecruitment.com and they will do the rest.

We are aligned to a number of recognised umbrella companies and whichever one you join, you will receive pay on-time, weekly and directly into your bank account.

For more information please contact our Payroll Team on 0207 404 6383 or accounts@prosperorecruitment.com


 Q. Do you register Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs)?

Yes. In order to be considered you must possess a teaching qualification from an EU country, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or South Africa. Teachers who qualified in other countries will need to contact UK NARIC to ensure their qualification is equivalent.

What assistance do you provide for teachers relocating to the UK?

Our overseas consultants can help find you a job in the UK before you leave. Additionally we are able to give help and advice on visas, work permits and locations, and our Teacher Services Department helps you with accommodation and setting up a UK bank account.


If our FAQs don’t cover all your queries, or you’ve got any questions about coming to teach in the UK from overseas then fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you right away