Recently, at an interview for a teaching position, I had the most curious feeling that I was missing the completely obvious. The principal asked, as the interview was winding down, if I had any questions.
I didn’t have any questions, and said as much.
I was asked again, a few moments later, if I was sure I didn’t have any questions.
At this point, I started thinking, “Should I be asking something? What could I possibly ask about? Is this a way of seeing how interested I am in the job?”
It’s a teaching position: the salary, working hours, curriculum — already set. I’d already asked about enrollment, student demographics, various policy issues, etc.
“What can I ask about?” I think. Finally I answered, “No — I’m sure once I leave here, as always happens, I’ll think of some question about minutiae, but for now…”
And it came again…
The interviewer had that expression that says, “I know you know how to respond!” I’ve used the expression countless times in the classroom.
What was going on? What didn’t I ask about?
There is this, in my opinion, hair-brained theory that if you don’t have any questions at an interview, you don’t have the qualifications necessary for the job. I am assuming they think it means you are only after the job for the money and are not “really dedicated.” I tend to come up with three or for questions beforehand just to jump through this particular hoop, even though I am already pretty sure of the answers, because “make sure the applicant asks good questions” appears to be Interviewing 101.
“because ‘make sure the applicant asks good questions’ appears to be Interviewing 101.”
You can tell I haven’t interviewed in over six years.
Well, scratch that—I haven’t interviewed in America in over six years.
Next time…