Secretary Job at a High SchoolFirst let me say I am not really worried about typos in this message, just trying to get a little input LOL.. Ok a little about me. I have worked in the clerical field for over 12 years now, maybe more. I currently drive an hour each way to work, which is about 80 or so miles one way. But I have recently applied for a Secretary position with our local High School, which is about 10 min from my home. My daughters attend the middle and elem schools of the same area, as well as my nephews. And this is a small county, so its kinda all about who you know. And the current middle school principal is from GA so he doesnt really go by who knows who. Long story short, the middle school principal where my daughter attends, is transferring to the high school where I applied. So last week I sent him an email from my job saying " congrats and we hate to see him leave the middle school but wished him luck at the high school and said who knows we maybe working together since I had applied for the secretary job there" .. well this was probably the best email I could have sent... He replied back asking me to send him my resume and then emailed back saying how he wanted to interview me this wed... So that got my foot in the door big time. Because again this county is all about who knows who on the board of education. I will meet with him wed and am not sure if it will be an informal type interview or not, since he does know me thru my daughter and we have exchanged a few emails regarding her. He seems like a very laid back type of guy. So I am needing a little input on the following 1. How to dress? reason I ask this is because he knows I am going on a field trip with my daughter that day. Should I dress up up or kinda casually dress up. 2. What type of questions are asked when going for a education type job? I havent had to interview for 9 years now lol... And I still hate them. 1. Dress up for the interview, at the very least wear a professional-looking pant suit. Bring a change of clothes for the field trip. The guy might be laid back, but an interview is an interview. One way to express your interest in the position is to dress like you' re a serious candidate. 2. He will probably be most interested in your skills and experience. Might ask you if you would find it annoying to be around teen-agers all day. This principal knows you as a mom. He won't be evaluating you on that front, he willbe concerned with your skills, experience and how you present yourself. This interview should be treated exactly like one in which you don't know a single person. You should dress the way you would for any other interview. Keep an extra set of clothes that are field trip sturdy in your car or have your daughter put them in her locker. The questions you will be asked will be, more than likely, the same type of questions you would face on any interview. Why do you want to work there? Why are leaving your current job? Can you use specific computer databases and/or programs? How would you rate your punctuation and attendance factor? What makes you better suited for the job than other candidates? Never having worked at a school myself, I can imagine that there would be a question concerning how well you get along with kids of that particular age. Or your patients level. Dress for the interview, it always helps to look sharp. How sassy is it, anyway? Highlight your positives. As I say in my interviewing book, an interview is an interview! This means that whether it's informal or not, you are still being interviewed and must make a good impression. In the past, I had worked in a support role at a college and in business, and was a paraeducator for a while in the public schools. Let me tell you that working in a public school environment is different from the business world. Dress is one of the differences. When you walk into a high school, take a look around at how staff generally dresses. They're not wearing suits and ties, but rather more casual business attire. Administration is different! For example, a Principal will dress more formal to promote an air of being in-charge and responsibility. But staff and faculty are different. They deal with the kids, parents, and other school officials, and so their attire is more relaxed. So I would suggest walking in dressed more casual but looking nice. No jeans! Being overdressed in a pantsuit won't hurt you, but you'll make a better impression by showing them you understand they're more casual and relaxed in that environment. Also, it's very common for people to address one another on a first name basis. Again, this is because it's a more relaxed environment, and so be prepared to be on a more "friendly" footing during the interview. Personality is even more important than office skills in a public school! | |
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