As their December graduation date nears, UM-Flint secondary education students are preparing to enter the highly competitive job market in hopes of securing a good teaching position soon.

On Nov. 4, the students put aside their thoughts from the day’s student teaching responsibilities and gathered together to hear what a panel of two highly experienced school administrators had to say about the job interview and selection process in the field of education.

Diane Griggs, HR Director of the Leona Group charter school system, and Michelle Imbrunone, Superintendent of Goodrich Area Schools, provided valuable insight about the qualities that impress them in their teaching candidates as well as certain behaviors and mistakes that can lead to a quick dismissal from the hiring pool.

Providing personal stories and experiences about candidate interviews as well as a forthright picture of the teaching profession helped students think about how they will tackle their own job search. “You are walking into a profession that, quite honestly, you aren’t going to be praised,” Imbrunone said. “It is a thankless job. Those who appreciate it most are the kids.”

The panel emphasized that it is crucial for candidates to pay attention to the details along every step of the application process. Tips included writing an errorless resume, strictly following submission guidelines, being mindful of one’s social media presence, having a professional outgoing voicemail message, dressing appropriately for an interview, and being over-prepared to ask and answer a variety of questions.

“We also need to know you can manage a classroom and develop relationships with people,” Griggs advised. “And when you get a job in our organization, we expect you to separate your professional life and your personal life.”

Students took notes on the top interview questions that hiring committees typically ask and learned effective ways to respond to those questions using real-life examples.

Being able to explain why they want to teach, how they handle classroom management, how they accommodate students, their involvement with kids outside of the classroom setting, and how they connect with parents are all vital points that come up in an interview. Demonstrating a short lesson to kids is also typically included in the process.

“You need to convince us that you are passionate about kids,” Imbrunone said, adding that Goodrich’s hiring process includes input from kids because they have proven to be very intuitive about which candidates will make a good fit. She also suggested that candidates practice interviewing with people who work in education and are willing to provide honest feedback.

Asking appropriately-framed questions during an interview was also encouraged. “We find that many people don’t know much about charter schools or that they are public schools,” Griggs said. “It’s okay to ask thoughtful questions.”

The panel advised the group of student teachers to be open to taking substitute teaching jobs, not only to gain valuable experience in the classroom but to become familiar with different school systems.

UM-Flint student Christopher Easton, who is student teaching at Bendle High School in Burton, attended the session. “It is incredibly helpful to have frank responses,” he said. “Before this, we had little exposure to the hiring process.”

Student teachers will be participating in mock interviews later this week with an education specialist class. These workshops are offered through UM-Flint’s Center for Educator Preparation.