5 Mistakes Teachers Make When Preparing for a Leadership Interview

5 Mistakes Teachers Make When Preparing for a Leadership Interview

Stepping into a leadership interview is a significant moment in any teacher's career. It’s your chance to showcase your expertise, vision, and leadership skills. However, even the best candidates can make avoidable mistakes that undermine their success. Here are five common pitfalls—and how to overcome them.

 
1. Failing to Align Answers with the School's Vision

Many candidates focus solely on their own achievements without tying them to the school's mission and values.

What to Do Instead:
Research the school thoroughly. Study its website, mission statement, and recent initiatives. Tailor your answers to show how your leadership can contribute to their goals. For example, if the school values student well-being, share specific examples of how you've promoted well-being in your current role.

 
2. Overloading on Theory, Ignoring Practice

Educational leadership theory is important, but interview panels want to hear about your hands-on experience. Candidates often make the mistake of quoting frameworks like LAOS without demonstrating how they've applied them.

What to Do Instead:
Balance theory with practical examples. Instead of saying, "I understand the importance of distributive leadership," explain how you distributed responsibilities in a team project, resulting in better outcomes for students.

 
3. Neglecting to Provide Measurable Outcomes

It’s easy to talk about what you’ve done, but failing to show impact can leave your answers feeling flat.

What to Do Instead:
Quantify your success. Use data to back up your achievements. For example:

"I implemented a peer mentoring program that increased student retention by 15%."
"Under my leadership, 90% of TY students completed accredited courses, up from 70% the previous year."
 
4. Ignoring the 'Leadership' in Leadership Interview

Some candidates focus too much on classroom experience and not enough on their ability to lead and manage.

What to Do Instead:
Emphasize your leadership roles, even if informal. Discuss times you led a team, managed a project, or introduced a new initiative. Highlight skills like conflict resolution, team building, and decision-making that show you're ready for leadership.

 
5. Underestimating the Importance of Preparation

Walking into an interview unprepared—or with vague, generic answers—is a recipe for disaster. Panels can tell when a candidate hasn’t taken the time to prepare.

What to Do Instead:

Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse common questions and structure your answers using the ER Technique (Example, Result).
Mock Interviews: Work with a coach or colleague to simulate the interview experience.
Prepare Your Own Questions: Asking insightful questions about the school shows genuine interest and engagement.
 
Final Thoughts
Leadership interviews are your opportunity to demonstrate that you’re more than just an excellent teacher—you’re a visionary leader. By avoiding these common mistakes and preparing thoroughly, you’ll walk into that interview confident and ready to succeed.

Would you like support with interview preparation? At Interview Ready Ed, I specialise in helping teachers and aspiring leaders shine in interviews. Contact me to get started today!