INTERVIEWING FOR YOUR FIRST PRINCIPAL POSITION
EDL 551: PRINCIPAL AS INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
WHERE TO FIND OPENINGS
Illinois Education Job Bank (48)
https://www.illinoiseducationjobbank.org/
Teach Iowa (9)
http://teachiowa.gov/
K12 JobSpot (478)
https://k12jobspot.com
NASSP’s Job Board (49)
http://careers.nassp.org/jobs
NAESP’s Job Board (328)
https://careers.naesp.org/
Common Job Search Options
Tend to be more key word focused, will get some (many) false positives
Indeed (71)
https://www.indeed.com
Monster (898)
https://www.monster.com/jobs/q-school-principal-jobs-l-illinois.aspx
Illinois Principal Association
https://ilprincipals.org/resources/job-search-resources/
The number in parentheses is the number of returns when searched for key word “principal”
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
Know what job you are applying for
Keep a copy of the posting
Research
School/district website
City/village website
Illinois Interactive Report Card (http://iirc.niu.edu)
Iowa Education Data (http://reports.educateiowa.gov/)
Don’t interview simply for practice
Don’t apply for a job you don’t want
Get a mentor to set up a practice interview for you
Determine what materials you want to provide to the
interview team
Sample parent letters, newsletters, etc.
Copies of your resume
INTERVIEW PREPARATION RESOURCES
General Interview Advice for Principal Candidates
Paul Young’s Young @ Heart
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/columnists/young/young001.
shtml
William Parker’s Principal Matters
https://www.williamdparker.com/2015/03/25/30-questions-from-
principal-interviews-plus-more/
Gary Houchens, Western Kentucky University (3 Part Series)
http://schoolleader.typepad.com/school-leader/2013/06/preparing-for-
your-principal-interview-part-i.html
Thoughts to Consider for the Principal Job Interview from Principal
Kafele https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvq4aSHMSAw
Sample YouTube Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDT4YtmDju0
Thoughts to Consider for the Aspiring Assistant Principal from
Principal Kafele https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L_fGwapxpw
Sacramento County Office of Education’s Leadership Institute explain
how to prepare for your first interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj7-mxJWGY4
Interview Question Banks
Assistant principal interview questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AKBzu0zMO8
Resumes for Teachers: Principal interview questions
https://resumes-for-teachers.com/blog/interview-
questions/principal-job-interview-questions-and-the-
answers/
Education World Tips from Principals & “Tough Questions”
for Principals
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin514b.
shtml
GETTING THE CALL
Confirm the position being considered
Ask who you will be meeting with, names and titles, if possible
Confirm the location and time
You may have a screening interview somewhere besides the school
Ask if you should bring anything
Portfolio, letters, sample communications to parents, etc.
Get a name and phone number to contact if you have an emergency
Thank the caller
PRE-INTERVIEW
Arrive early, but don’t announce yourself more than 15 minutes early
Bring a book to read while waiting…
Dress appropriately – conservative & dark colors are more likely to be
successful
Know the names (s) of who you are coming to meet with
Everyone you meet is part of the interview process – remember that
Try to determine if the interviewer prefers e-mail or the telephone
CONDUCT DURING THE INTERVIEW
Make eye contact
Shake hands firmly
Don’t sit or enter a room
until directed
Be cheerful and energetic
Be yourself
THE PROCESS
Review applications (Maybe 40+ for a position)
Screening interview – larger districts only
First round interview
Small districts – Superintendent; Large district – central office staff
From 3 to 8 candidates
Reference checks often done after the first round of interviews
Second round interview often meeting with multiple groups
to 3 candidates
Offer will usually be made within a week or two of the final interview
A SAMPLE PROCESS IN A SMALLER DISTRICT
Review of applications (anticipate that this will be March 3): Steve
Smith, Heather Green; Tammy O'Toole & Initial Screening
Interviews (if necessary): Steve Smith
First Round of Interviews (6-8 candidates) (anticipating that these
will be held March 8 & 10 time to be determined)
Staff - Mike Beerston, Molly Jones, Adel Rogers & Kristi Level;
Parent- Deb Trunk; Board - Don Jared; and Administrators Dr. Olds
& Kristi Kringle
Final Round of Interviews (2-3 candidates) (March 15 & 16):
Administrative Team
2.36
3.02
3.69
4.72
4.81
4.86
6.1
6.43
Successful principal
experience
Student discipline
experience
Successful middle level
teaching experience
Reading expertise Special education
experience
Math expertise Fluency in Spanish Coaching experience
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Which of the following are important for the selection committee to consider in
determining whom to interview? Select "1" as the most important consideration and
"8" as the least important. You may only select one item for each ranking.
Lower has more value on this chart
Rural District – Middle School – 40% of students were native Spanish speakers
A SAMPLE PROCESS IN A LARGE DISTRICT
Round One Interview Candidate 2
An hour with the Director of Curriculum, HR Director, Spec. Ed. Director, and Asst. Principal
Round Two Interview Candidate 2
10:00-10:45 Admin Team Oliver, Houi, Delmar, Kral, Jones, Lyons
10:45-11:15 Tour of School MSG Murray and MCJROTC
11:15-12:00 Parent/Teacher/Coach Team
Group 1- Parents-Dave Evans, Sherri Schmidt, and Tara Growler; Coach-Adam Morris; Teachers-Ken Wells,
Sandy Davis, John Minore, and HR Director- Rhonda Word
LUNCH- 12:00-1:00 Sarah Jones will take candidate to lunch
1:00-2:00 Central Office Team
Lower has more value on this chart
2.73
3.36
3.39
3.58
4.42
4.94
5.58
Successful administrative
experience
Experience working in
diverse schools
Student discipline
experience
Successful high school
teaching experience
Strong academic credentials
(doctorate, publishing, etc.)
Experience in data analysis Athletic programming /
Coaching experience
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Which of the following are important for the selection committee to consider in
determining whom to interview? Select "1" as the most important consideration and
"7" as the least important. You may only select one item for each ranking.
Urban District – High School
2.31
2.71
3.85
4.56
4.62
5.45
5.76
6.73
Successful elementary
teaching experience
Previous principal
experience
Student discipline
experience
Reading expertise Special education
experience
Early childhood
experience
Experience with
Everyday Math
Advanced degree
(doctorate)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Which of the following are important for the selection committee to consider in
determining whom to interview? Select "1" as the most important consideration and
"8" as the least important. You may only select one item for each ranking.
Suburban District – Elementary School
I am most impressed with the person who answers my questions directly
and concisely rather that dancing around the actual question and
rambling.
Chip Mehaffey
Superintendent, Loogootee School Corporation, Indiana
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
Answer the question asked directly and without embellishment
Don’t ramble, but don’t become monosyllabic either
If in a group interview, try not to focus only on the questioner
Use proper formal grammar and syntax
If you don’t know, don’t be afraid to say that
Be positive
Don't whine or complain.
Whatever you do, don't obsess or lament about high-stakes testing, deadbeat
parents, unfunded mandates, or No Child Left Behind accountability. Principals are
hired to solve problems and make issues go away.
Paul Young's Young @ Heart
Landing Your First Principalship
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/columnists/young/young001.shtml
EXPECT QUESTIONS TIED TO THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Often the First Question is: Please tell us about yourself and why you
are interested in working in District 691?
Be prepared for this to be skipped over in some districts as time is
essential!
Gary Houchens
Preparing for your Principal interview, Part I
http://schoolleader.typepad.com/school-leader/2013/06/preparing-for-your-principal-interview-part-i.html
GENERAL TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Your administrative experience
Classroom management and student discipline issues
Working with parents and the community
Your views and experience on teacher supervision/evaluation
Your ability to address accountability issues
Your experience with diversity and/or the achievement gap
Your reasons for entering the administrative ranks
Your desire to work in THIS school/district
How will you support the school/district strategic direction(s)/vision/mission
What other skills do you bring to the administrative team
Usually more of an issue in a smaller district
REAL QUESTIONS TIED TO THE ILLINOIS PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
As the new principal in the building, please describe specific ways you would learn about students both academically and
personally. (PSEL Standard V)
In our world of high stakes accountability, it is important that we continue to improve classroom instruction and provide
students with engaging, rigorous experiences. How would you work with teachers to increase the rigor and engagement
within their lessons? (PSEL Standard VI and VII)
It is the second week of school and parents want a child moved to another class because they have heard the teacher is
mean and students in her class are not challenged and prepared for the next grade. There is a certain amount of truth to
both of the parent’s concerns. What would you do? (PSEL Standard VIII)
Please tell us about a time that feedback from staff caused you to change your mind about something. (PSEL Standard I and II)
You have completed multiple Reflective Practice Visits and an Informal Observation on a tenured teacher. Despite your
constructive feedback and professional conversations following these visits, you have not observed any improvements in
instruction. How would you work with this tenured teacher who is not performing up to your expectations? What steps
would you take to support their growth? (PSEL Standard IV)
While our school has a high percentage of at-risk students, many are high achieving. How will you meet the needs of both
our academically at-risk and high-performing students? (PSEL Standard X)
District 691 spends less per student than both the state and county average. How will you ensure that you have the proper
resources to improve student achievement? (PSEL Standard IX)
If you were elected to be the new State Superintendent in IL, what would be the first policy you would address in your new
role?
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
Why do you want to lead at ABC School?
What do you feel are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
Tell me about a lesson you taught and how you would improve it next time?
How would you deal with a problem student?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Tell me/us about your technology skills?
What changes or future challenges do you foresee in the profession?
How do you plan for working with students of different abilities? As the new principal, how would you
go about learning about the school?
Besides tests and quizzes, what measures do you use to determine what students really know?
What have you read lately, personally or professionally?
What are your expectations of your colleagues?
LAST QUESTION
Do you have any questions for us?
Have at least five questions prepared
Ask one or two, don’t grill the interviewer, particularly in the first round
Ask about the timeline for the process unless already presented
Tell them you are excited about the position – if you are
Remember to thank him/her/them
PLEASE COME UP WITH A QUESTION BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING DATA: OPTION 1
PLEASE COME UP WITH A QUESTION BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING DATA: OPTION 2
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
If possible, send a handwritten thank you note
to each interviewer
Make sure names and titles are correct
E-mail doesn’t carry the same weight in this case
Follow up via e-mail or phone as earlier
determined, a couple of days after you were
told you would be contacted
Don’t badger….
Remember education is a VERY small world
If you get a call telling you, you are still a
candidate…
HOW TO GET AN INTERVIEW
Ask the principal at your school to
pass your resume on to his/her
colleagues
Participate in (and present at)
professional development workshops
and conferences
Try to send letters of application with
a personal hook…
Network…
QUESTIONS
