The Interview

The Interview remains mystery to me.  What are they looking for?  What do they want from me?  Am I a good fit?  Did I say what I needed to say?  Could I have said more?  Just a few questions that rattle through my brain soon after the interview.  I thank my friends and family who advised me to…

• Be myself
• Prepare 3-4 scenarios
• Research the company
• Understand the criteria

I think I did achieve the 4 bullets during the interview but I still walked away with some regrets.  Preparing for an interview is like preparing for a test.  You don’t really know what’s exactly on the test but you have a good idea.  You take the test and then what?  As an advocate for Assessment for Learning (AFL) practices, formative feedback is critical to the learning process.  During the interview, I was picking up cues or hints as to what they were looking for in the position.  I had 3 options to respond: (1) go with it, (2) stick to the script, or (3) make note of it.  I went with option 3.  With time reflect and think about the questions posed, I could have done better.  Classic AFL.  However, in any summative evaluation, the performance is being judged by others, there is an imminent outcome, and no formative feedback may be given in return to make things better for the “next time.” 

I’m OK with that and my self-evaluation is all that counts at this point in time.  What I am proud of the interview are as follows:  I was my authentic self, I revealed my pedagogical beliefs about mathematics education, and I answered each question with honesty and integrity.  What more could I ask for from myself?  My initial reaction was MORE, but all things happen for a reason.  I have no control of the outcome.  What ever is meant to be, is to be.  My job is try, take-risks, and venture forward.  The interview was an exceptional learning opportunity I feel fortunate to be a part of.  I got to talk to a panel of 5 educators about my teaching practice and passion for mathematics.  That’s pretty amazing in itself.  The next chapter will unfold and reveal itself in due time.  Patience.