Piano teaching for the county council

[Jacey1973]

Dear all,

I have an interview next week for piano teaching with my local county music service who arrange instrumental teacing for all the local schools. I have to play a little and have an interview. Was wondering does/has anyone work/ed for their county music service before? And any idea what kinda questions to expect - anything i should prepare for?

I'm think they will probably want to know why i want to teach, and may ask for some kind of teaching plan i have in mind - any ideas?

[abell88]

Hmm...I taught for Parks and Rec. a long time ago...the interview (over the phone) was something like: we're looking for a piano teacher, could you start next Tuesday?

[Bob]

Off the top of my head...


Why did you decide to be a teacher?

What's your philosophy of music education?

How do you handle this ____ situation?

What would a typical lesson/rehearsal look like?

What's your background and experience in this area?

Tell me/us about a challenging teaching situation you had.

Tell me/us about a positive teaching moment you had.

What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?

What do you like about working with kids?


And the general ones...

Tell me about yourself.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  What's your ultimate goal for your teaching career?


Of course you don't say anything negative about yourself.  Your greatest weakness is that you are a perfectionist (but not in a bad way), spend too much time at work, etc.

Have some positive little speeches ready to go.  Rehearse them.  "Why I became a teacher"  "My experience teaching"  "My background study and experiences"   Slip in the "what I know about your teaching institution and why I meet the requirements for the job"

Practice your responses.  Have someone interview you with these questions.  Practice even without someone. 

It's a game.  The interview is NOT the job.  The interviewer selects the best candidate from the interviewee pool not necessarily the best candidate.  It's the person who makes the best presentation.  Don't be afraid to promote yourself.  If it feels odd, practice it.  Practice saying nonsense "The sky is quite purple today" and do that until you can say it in a positive way with a straight face and total sincerity -- believe what you say.  And don't just talk positively about yourself -- promote your students, promote your teachers...  everyone looking good around you only makes you look better.

The job they have open is the job is the job you were prepared for and the one you want.  (right?)  But it's not for you -- It's what you can do for THEM and for THE STUDENT.


And then it's your turn to ask questions.  Smart ones though.  Short and sweet.

How much time you have with the students?

What is a typical workday like?

Do you have any money to spend?  How much?

What's THEIR philosophy of music education?  Where does music education fit into their overall organization?

Ask how the position opened up?  What happened to the previous teacher?


Listen carefully to the questions they ask.  Sometimes they are pointing out the flaws in the job or organization.  "How would you deal with this challenging situation?"  tells you some of the problems they experience.

Bring extra copies of your credentials and background information in case the interviewer doesn't have them.

Show up 15 minutes before the interview.  Be polite to everyone.  Realize the interview actually starts the moment you come within view of them.  That might be driving into the parking lot or walking through the door.  Send a thank you note to them as soon as it's over thanking them for their time to talk to you and how much you look forward to hearing from them.

Don't ask how much you get paid.  Let them tell you or ask when they call back.

After talking with them, ask to see their building and where you will teach.  Do they have materials?  Instruments, etc?

Dress professionally of course.  Dress a step higher than what you would wear for the job.

Smile.  Make eye contact.  Don't push anything that makes them nervous, but be sure to ask for more details if they call back.

Try to bring some examples of previous teaching or your accomplishments -- recital programs, thank you notes from parents, etc.

Focus on the positive.  Don't say anything negative about anyone because it makes you look negative.

Have a cute story about a positive teaching experience or a postivie music experience from your background.  Something more emotional to hook the interviewer.

Don't answer questions too quickly or it shows you've got a pat response answer.

Say something about their organization that shows you did a little research into them. 

Once it's done, take notes on things.  Find things you can do better the next time or things you might mention the next time or in a thankyou. 

The interviewer is not your friend.  If they say something unprofessional (gossip) don't say something similar back.  Always stay professional.

Good luck!   Don't worry if they don't call back.  You have no idea who the other candidates were or why they decided one way or the other.  If they offer you the job, then you have the control of deciding whether to take it or leave it.