1. Are you interested in sports and outdoor activities such as camping?
Discuss about your interest in outdoor sports and other activities that are aimed to keep an individual physically as well as mentally rejuvenated. On the other hand, if you are not much into outdoor activities, then feel free to discuss your interest in indoor and virtual sports.
2. How would you schedule classes?
Before answering this question, you should clarify the grade for which you are being asked to schedule the classes, and accordingly answer the best schedule that will help the students to attend all the classes attentively.
3. Tell us something about yourself and your career?
You need to make the maximum use of this opportunity to introduce various aspects of your personality. Apart from your name, work experience, and qualifications, you should describe about your interests and goals. You can also highlight the milestones of your career. When you start answering, maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s).
4. Tell us what salary do you expect?
State clearly about your salary expectations and justify why you want this salary.
5. How many classes/lectures can you handle apart from administrative tasks?
Feel comfortable to speak about the number of classes/lectures you can handle, because sometimes you might have to handle more classes than usual apart from the administrative tasks assigned on a routine basis.
6. Don't hesitate, ask if you have any questions for us?
You definitely would have questions in your mind and need to clear all your doubts. Do not hesitate to ask the time the recruiters will take to decide for your selection, or the operations, or anything else that you feel is reasonable to be asked.
7. How would you work with the School Improvement Team or equivalent to realize change?
This question could be geared toward a specific improvement objective (improving attendance, closing an achievement gap in reading, decreasing disciplinary incidents, etc.) and is geared toward merging important leadership areas-including instructional leadership, managerial leadership, visionary leadership, and organizational change leadership-together.
8. What makes you think you are an ideal candidate for this job?
Answer this question by expressing not just your interest, but your qualifications for this position. Emphasize on the job duties in your previous jobs and the knowledge you have gathered throughout the course of your career. Be confident and ready to answer further questions that might arise when the employer discusses the job requirements.
The interviewer here wants to know your take on the education system. You should be able to point out some issues that you feel are acting as a setback against the learning objectives. Suggest some measures and changes that you believe will bring a change in the way education is perceived and imparted.
If panels don't ask this, they should! And if you don't have anything in mind, you should! As a learning leader, your education shouldn't stop just because you complete a graduate degree. Principals must be professional development leaders and if you are not keeping up-and contributing to-current trends and best practices, than you risk being "stuck" in a rapidly-changing educational climate.
Give your insight about handling such situations where taking a stance is tough, yet inevitable to avoid further complications.
12. Can you describe a mistake you have made before and how you addressed it?
I like this one much better than the worn-out "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" question. If we're honest, we all make mistakes. The key is being willing to admit them, learn from them, and emerge better and stronger as an individual and as a leader. The panel will likely be looking for honesty, growth, and how you perceive yourself as a leader and lifelong learner.
Conflicts among students are unavoidable, and there is little that can be done to completely eliminate these situations. However, you need to explain the various measures you would take to imbibe a sense of unity and respect among the students for each other.
14. If your life was a movie, who would play the lead role?
A smile (or laugh) can go a long way to show that you can play along. Do your best to take the question on with a mix of thoughtfulness and fun. If possible, relate your answer with a laser-like focus of how you are equipped for this particular leadership role. As a leader, you will deal with the unexpected. . . . How will you handle it?
The answer to this question emphasizes on your familiarity with the organization and how well you understand the nature and scope of its operations. Discuss areas where you think improvement should be done while keeping in mind that your suggestions should be practical.
16. How will you support a safe and effective schoolwide learning environment?
It is safe to expect to receive some sort of "discipline" or "climate" question that is geared toward better understanding your approach to climate issues you will surely face. School safety is at the forefront of today's discussions related to education, and a school community will want a leader that is focused on a safe learning environment.
17. How will you ensure that staff members continue to grow as professionals?
In an age of accountability and budget cuts, principals are increasingly asked to lead professional development in new and relevant ways. Districts will likely want to hire school leaders who are aware of current needs and trends, future developments, and are aware of the real needs of teachers and staff in today's schools.
18. How would you resolve a conflict between two upset adults in your school?
This hypothetical question is framed to possibly involve either staff members or parents. As an administrator, you will likely face upset adults who are angry or frustrated.
19. Can you please explain your weaknesses?
Weakness is a human trait. No one is perfect and can never be. Still, there is always a room for improvement when you are able to recognize the areas where you lag behind. Openly discuss about what you consider as your weaknesses and do not forget to elaborate on the measures you are taking to eliminate your weakness.
20. Principal Interview Questions Template:
► What do you know about our school? What are the main areas for improvement here from your point of view?
► What do you think should be the main goals of a school principal?
► If you should characterize an ideal school principal using just three words, what words would you choose?
► Why have you decided for the job of a principal? What motivates you the most to do this job?
► Do you think that the principal should also take part in daily teaching? If yes, why? If no, why not?
► How do you imagine your day in work will look like if we choose you as our principal?
► From your point of view, what should be the relationship of a principal with students?
► What are your plans in long term horizon, let's say 10 years?
► Do you have any experience with leading other people?
► Would you be able to choose teachers for this school? If yes, what will be the selection process you will use?
► From your point of view, what should be the role of technology in the process of education?
► How would you attract more students to choose our school?
► Do you have any role model in life?
► If we decide to move forward with your job application, when will you be able to start the job?
► What computer programs can you work with?
► Speaking about public relations, what activities do you think should a school do?
21. Basic Common Interview Questions for Principal Job:
► Give us some background information and take a moment to introduce yourself.
► How would you describe your leadership style?
► What are some ways you have dealt with challenges, and how did you find solutions?
► How would you describe your classroom management style?
► What advice would you give to a new teacher on his or her first year?
► What advice would you give to a veteran teacher in need of improvement?
► What steps would you take if you dealing with a student discipline incident?
► Give some examples of how you have communicated with parents of challenging students.
► What would be your ideal school environment, and how would you encourage that kind of culture?
► What questions do you have for us about this position?
22. Principal Job Interview Questions:
► Have you served as a principal before? If, so what grade level schools (elementary, middle, high)? How many years?
► What was the test performance of the students in your schools? State tests, National test?
► Describe your average daily routine in percents by the following: Discipline, buses, lunchroom, classroom visits, parent conferences, staff meetings, building and grounds, paperwork/reports, meetings outside of school.
► What role do parents play in your school? Give specific examples.
► What is the function of the PTA/PTO in your school?
► What is the function of the School Council in your school?
► How do you recruit teachers?
► How do you keep parents informed?
► Describe your style of leadership and give examples.
► How would you handle a situation where a parent wants her child removed from a particular teacher's classroom; however, the teacher wants the child to stay?
23. Third Principal Job Interview Questions:
► Please share priorities for a three-year site improvement. What specific goals, actions, and outcomes would you propose?
► Give examples of your supervision, evaluation, and accountability standards in managing highly effective teachers and staff members.
► How would you transition from assistant principal to principal in your present site while establishing new goals that match your own personality and priorities?
► Why do you want this position? What motivates you to want to be a site principal?
► Explain how you would build positive relationships with leaders across sites while working together for district-wide goals.
24. Sample Principal Interview Questions:
► Name five words that best describe you as an administrator.
► Give three reasons why you should be selected as the principal of our school.
► What are your immediate or short-term goals for our school? What are your five-year goals?
► Who do you involve in decision making issues?
► How do you evaluate student work and how do you know whether that work meets standard?
► How do you evaluate teachers and other staff? What are your criteria?
► Explain your view of work ethics.
► How do you monitor staff as their compliance with the Georgia Teacher Code of Ethics?
► What role would the business community serve in a school under your supervision?
► Describe your involvement in community and civic activities.
► Describe the best teacher you know. Describe the best parent you know. Describe the best student you know.
► How do you measure the success of a school?
► What are the steps you follow in dealing with a child that is not demonstrating success? Who do you involve and when?
► Describe your most successful experience as a principal.
► Describe you worst experience as a principal.
25. General Principal Interview Questions:
► Please introduce yourself, tell us about your background in education and what interested you in applying for this opening.
► Data is a large part of determining student and teacher success. Explain your involvement in professional learning communities and how you have used data to promote student achievement.
► We are community growing in diversity. Explain how you would reach out to people from various demographics to ensure all students and community members are included in learning.
► What is your philosophy of teaching? What advice would you offer teachers whom you are supervising?
► Principal positions require intense time-management. Please give examples of how you organize your day to meet the various demands and commitments required as a school principal.
► Conflict-resolution and communication are important parts of school leadership. Can you give examples of how you have successfully managed difficult situations at school?
► What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you lead a school-wide initiative expected for an entire district?
► What questions, clarifications, or concerns do you have for us?
