In February, I was given numerous opportunities to learn and practise various techniques for performing well in job interviews.

On February 7 (Week 2 Lesson 1), we practised a one-minute self-introduction twice: once before and once after class. Initially, I shared my experiences without effectively highlighting their relevance to my job suitability. After the lesson, I learnt to describe myself using 2-3 adjectives and summarize my career in a sentence. This allowed me to better illustrate how my personal traits align with a specific company’s requirements. I realized the importance of selectively highlighting achievements to capture attention and demonstrate job suitability. With these insights, my post-class self-introduction became more concise and impactful.

On February 9 (Week 2 Lesson 2), we had a comprehensive 10-minute interview practice, including a self-introduction and a Q&A session. I was comfortable with the self-introduction and emphasized my management and communication skills through selected past experiences. However, I struggled with deeper, behavioural or unexpected questions. Identifying this weakness, I understood the importance of thorough preparation, such as practising mock questions in advance. In class, we also shared unusual questions encountered in past interviews, which helped us foresee potential employer queries and better prepare for such uncertainties.

These in-class interview practices allowed me to “promote” myself to my peers, which significantly boosted my confidence. With the support and encouragement from my nice peers and instructor, I became more at ease with this kind of interpersonal interaction.

For the mock job interview in Week 4, I selected to interview for a secondary school math teacher. My experience as a tutor for secondary school math has sparked my interest in education. Given my teaching experiences and past success in related exams and competitions, I believe I meet the job requirements closely.

Self Evaluation

Things done well

During the interview, I ensured to maintain consistent eye contact with the interviewer, which allowed me to communicate effectively and confidently. I was also mindful of incorporating hand gestures to emphasize key points, which demonstrated my confidence and professionalism. Sharing my personal experiences in previous educational activities not only showcased my qualifications but also my passion for teaching. I made a conscious effort to smile and exhibit my enthusiasm towards teaching, understanding that positive facial expressions can significantly enhance first impressions and rapport building.

Rooms for improvement

Looking back, I recognize that there were instances where my nerves affected my speech fluency, particularly when responding to unanticipated follow-up questions. I noticed the use of filler words, which may have given the impression of uncertainty or lack of preparation. Moving forward, I aim to improve in this area by practising more frequently under simulated interview conditions with the help of mock questions to increase my comfort level and reduce the use of filler words.

Reflection on Teacher’s Feedback

When it came to discussing my salary expectations, my instructor pointed out that I had vastly undershot the industry average. This served as a timely reminder to thoroughly research and understand the industry standards before attending an interview. Instead of specifying a strict figure, it would be more advantageous to provide a salary range, offering greater flexibility for negotiation.

My attempt to show energy and enthusiasm for teaching was noted by my instructor, particularly through the examples of my past teaching experiences. However, I realized that I had not shared enough instances that demonstrated my joy and passion for working in the education sector. In order to distinguish myself from the numerous candidates vying for the same position, it is essential that I share memorable instances from my teaching career. These could include the satisfaction of helping a student grasp a complex concept, or the thrill of assisting them in solving a challenging problem.

Finally, my instructor suggested that I should highlight my achievements, such as my exceptional performance in public exams and my credits earned in relevant competitions. It is not about boasting of these accomplishments, but rather about illustrating how these strengths can be beneficial to the school and its students. For instance, I can share my personal strategies for effective study, my techniques for exam preparation, and my methods for maintaining a sound mental state under stress. By articulating the unique value that I can bring to the school beyond my teaching experience, I can make a lasting impression on the interviewer.