How to Answer the “Tell Us About Yourself” Teacher Interview Question
by Amanda Melsby — March 2, 2024
A job interview is unlikely to top anyone’s list of favorite moments. You’re seated facing a handful of strangers. Introductions are cordial, but you won’t remember many names. The tone shifts quickly to business. The interview begins with a simple, innocent-sounding question. It is the “tell us about yourself” interview question. In this article, we provide tips for new teachers on how to answer this traditional, and challenging, interview starter.
“So let’s get started. Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself.”
The “tell us about yourself” question can be asked in several ways, but the objective is the same. The question prompts you to give an overview of your background, experience, and what led you to apply for the position.
If you take nothing else away from this article, let it be that you should take the question seriously and prepare for it.
Why the “Tell Us About Yourself” Question Matters
- It sets the tone for the rest of the interview. One survey claims 33% of bosses know if they want to hire someone in the first 90 seconds.
- “Tell us about yourself” is a broad question. Answers tend to be fraught with rambling. How you approach and organize your response is key.
- The question is filled with pitfalls. It’s an invitation to share too much or too little information.
What the Answer Reveals About You, the Candidate
I’ve been a school administrator since 2014 and have interviewed many teachers. I have conducted interviews at a variety of schools and have interviewed for positions myself. This question is always there for a reason.
From your answer, the interview panel is trying to determine:
- Some of your personality, which can set you apart from other candidates
- What you consider to be your most important experiences, based on what you choose to talk about
- Your potential fit with the school community, including faculty, students, and parents
- How you will be in front of students (engaging or dull?)
How to Tackle the “Tell Us About Yourself” Question
Step 1: Select your most impressive, relevant experience and add in a pinch of enthusiasm.
Remember, the nuts and bolts of this question could be answered from your resume — but that’s only one reason the interview panel asks this question. The interview panel also wants to get a sense of your personality.
It’s both what you say and how you say it.
What you say…
Tip: It’s best to stick to professional information. While most of your answer is focused on your professional experience, if you have a brief personal story directly relevant to the position, feel free to use it. If you don’t have much teaching experience, describe your education and training.
Tip: Highlight details in your background that align with the opening. The interview committee doesn’t need to know your entire work history. Choose two to three elements of your work experience that are most relevant and expand on those. If you don’t have teaching experience, you can (and should) highlight work or educational experience that aligns with the teaching position. That may be leading group study sessions, tutoring, managing a team, or creating a summer program. Think of skills you have that would transfer to the classroom and highlight those.
…and how you say it.
Tip: Demonstrate enthusiasm for education. You don’t want your answer to become a dry list of professional experiences. Convey your passion for teaching and why you enjoy working with young people.
Tip: Speak with inflection. Your demeanor and delivery give insight into how you will be in the classroom. Utilize eye contact that naturally shifts around the room. Smile.
Step 2: Organize your answer by Present, Past, Future
The formula below is the most effective way to answer this question. It’s a good idea to write or bullet it out. You want a tight, concise response that avoids rambling but provides enough information that the panel has a good idea of who you are.
The Present
Describe your current position or work situation.
What you’re up to right now, professionally, is the most relevant information. You’ll be fairly brief here if you’re right out of college or working a job outside of education.
Example:
Currently, I’m wrapping up my student-teaching placement at Allentown High School. I observe two classes of freshman Honors English and co-teach one class of English 11. Part of my responsibility is to design and teach a unit on Romeo and Juliet. I’m a believer in a student-centered approach to education. I just finished a project with the Juniors where students analyzed a character and then found a similar personality profile from a modern figure.
The Past
Fill in with relevant background or what drew you to teaching.
New teachers can describe their educational background, as long as it’s relevant to the opening. Share any education-related work experience such as tutoring or being a camp counselor. Try to create a portrait of who you are and what you value.
The answer shouldn’t merely be “just the facts”. Reveal what makes you passionate about working with young people. Identify the values or beliefs that most resonate with you and select examples to reflect them.
Example:
I started to love teaching when I volunteered to tutor high school students in college. It’s so rewarding to work with students as they learn a new concept or tackle a problem creatively and uniquely. I got to know the students I was tutoring and it was inspiring when they came back to tell me they had gotten a good grade on a test or a paper.
The Future
Share why you’re interested in this opening or why you believe you’re a good fit for their school.
This is a chance to connect your experience to their opening. Show your genuine excitement about their programs and students and end the question on a high note.
Example:
I’m especially excited about the possibility of teaching at Oak Hill High School. I understand that your school has embraced a student-centered approach to instruction. As a student-teacher, I saw first-hand the power of engaging, student-centered instruction. I’m a firm believer that active learning is best and my experience with project-based learning fits in well with the approach here.
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Amanda Melsby has been a professional educator for 20 years. She taught English before working as an assistant principal and later as a high school principal. Amanda holds an Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Leadership and is currently a dean of teaching and learning.