Brand New Method to Understand The Four Domains to Simplify Your Interview Answers

Lately, I’ve been finding myself discussing the impact that teachers have in their role. Helping them to see things from an external perspective has been a real game changer in helping them articulate their skills and the difference they have made.

This blog explains why you should reflect on your impact as a school leader and gives you common statements I hear. See if you can think about the impact that these teachers may have had as a result!

Self-Awareness

Self-reflecting on the impact that you've made increases your self-awareness. When you reflect on your impact, you can identify your strengths and your areas for improvement. So for example,  if you have been in charge of the green schools flag within the school or the green schools initiative within the school, you can think of what the impact on your school from before we ever had the Green Flag. You may be much more aware of waste. You may have a sense of pride and community around the environment within your school.

Starting to journal about your career stories increases your self-awareness and can encourage you to think of the areas for improvement and growth within the school.

Communication

In interviews, it's very important to communicate clearly and simply.  Sample questions and answers include strengths and weaknesses, effective teaching and learning, developing leadership capacity of others etc - saying that in a simple way. The simpler you can say it, the better.  Explaining your results in these areas and the benefits that they had for others - in simple terms will help them understand the impact that you have made. 

Answer the following sample scenarios. 

The impact of the Active School Flag Initiative was…  The impact of implementing UDL in my classes was…  The impact of dealing with the sensitive situation was…  In this way, you are showcasing your achievements in an engaging and inspiring way. Explaining this impact helps them to get into the moment with you and feel a part of your school’s success.  My Secret Career Stories Freebie outlines a great framework to combine the LAOS competencies, the questions you’ll be asked and the STAR technique. Download it here.

Building Credibility.

Communicating your impact also builds your credibility. When you can explain the impact and communicate your impact within the school, they start to take note of the fact that you have made this wonderful improvement in the school, and the interview panel infer and builds out the bigger picture of what you can do and what you could do for them in their school. 

Self Promotion

Thirdly, knowing your impact within the school builds your capacity to self-promote. This is uncomfortable for many teachers, but it is very important as you move forward. 

Don’t forget, your interviewers are waiting and are ready to hear the good things about you. Why? They want to find the best candidate for their role. 

* In my free guide ‘Secret Career Stories For Senior Leadership Goals’ - I break down the stories that you’ll need to sell yourself in a gentle way in your interview. You can download it👉 here.

They have a problem and the problem is they have nobody for that position and you are showing up as the solution to their problem. So self-promotion is very important, though it might feel a little bit uncomfortable and something that you're not used to, if you start to show your impact and show that self-awareness and communicate things, it will have a great effect on your ability to explain and self-promote.

Tips For Thinking About Your Impact 

1. Reflect on Your Achievements: Take time to reflect on your career. Think about specific instances where you made a significant difference, whether it’s through improving student performance, implementing new programs, or contributing to a positive school culture.

2. Gather Evidence: Collect data, testimonials, and feedback that highlight your successes. This could be student test scores, letters from parents, or recognition from colleagues and supervisors.

3. Craft Your Stories: Develop concise and compelling stories around your impact. Focus on the situation, the actions you took, and the results. Use these stories to illustrate your points during interviews.

4. Practice: Rehearse discussing your impact. The more comfortable you are with your stories, the more naturally they’ll come across in an interview setting.

Can you Pinpoint Some Potential Impacts For These Statements?

• I play an active role on the Teaching and Learning team.

• I resolved the tricky situation effectively.

• I didn’t resolve the tricky situation effectively.

• I arrive at school early each day. 

• I arrive at school just on time each day. 

• I secured 3 Green Flags for our school.

What do you think? What difference would it make to your interview skills if you could communicate your impact more clearly?

Let us know in the comments below.