Having worked for Hays for over 10 years, I am acutely aware of the impact a successful face-to-face interview can have and fully understand the different challenges teaching professionals face. Having meticulously taken the time to complete your application and cover letter, the face-to-face interview is your next hurdle to securing your ideal job. The tips below from my team of education consultants and feedback from Headteachers will hopefully prove to be valuable advice on how best to approach your interviews in the future:

Prepare well

It goes without saying, but make sure you have planned in the time to prepare in advance of your interview. Ensure you know what the interview format will entail and whether a lesson observation or presentation will be required. Research the school fully, not just their website and OFSTED report, but through relevant press articles or their presence on social media. Think about the reasons why you want to work for that school, what you have to offer them and why you want the job.

First impressions

We can't overemphasise how important first impressions are. Research has shown that an interviewer has made an impression within the first eight seconds of meeting the person. The remainder of the interview is spent confirming this opinion, or turning this opinion around. Make sure you are professionally and smartly presented, dress to impress. Be punctual, test run your route a few days before if necessary, and be aware of possible traffic volumes at the time of your interview - leave within plenty of time. It sounds simple, but smile and be polite to the people in reception, they are the face of the school and the people you need to get on your side. Sit up straight and ensure you make eye contact when in the interview itself.

Answer the interviewer's questions

This may sound extremely obvious, but make sure you actually listen to the question being asked and not the one you want to answer and have already prepared for. Take your time to think about what you want to say before you answer and if you don't fully understand the question, ask them to repeat it, or phrase it in a different way to understand what the interviewer means. Ensure you give specific examples, the school will need to hear you explain the situation, describe the actions you took and identify the outcomes. You must be able to demonstrate progress in your pupil's achievements as a result of the actions you have undertaken.

Sell yourself

This is your opportunity to prove why you are the best applicant for the job. So don't be shy. It is ok to explain how well you think you did something in your previous role as long as you can back it up with specific examples.

Ask questions

It is really important to have thought this through in advance of the interview. It shows you have a vested interest in the role and the school, and have taken to the time to find out what role you could play in shaping the school in the future. Think about how your career could develop within the school, what opportunities are there for additional responsibility and training and what attracted the interviewees to work for the school and why. Here are some example questions to ask;

• How could my career develop within the school?
• What opportunities are there for additional responsibility and training?
• What attracted you (the interviewer) to work for the school and why?

Most importantly, try to relax and be yourself. Nerves are to be expected and most interviewers accept that it is a nerve-wracking situation. You need to demonstrate passion for your profession but be genuine and do not just recite the latest government strategy or process. Also this is your opportunity to decide if you want to work for the school as much as it is the interviewer's chance to assess your skills, try to enjoy it.