Should I wear a suit for a teaching interview?

Question

I had seven interviews and I wore a suit on each one. I didn’t receive any offers. I noticed the people that interviewed before me (I saw them walking out) and the people after me (I saw them as I was leaving) did not have suits on. I thought a suit would give me an edge. I also noticed the people looked older then me, like they had experience teaching. I am straight out of college. Maybe they pick someone with experience over me. I don’t know what to think at this point.


My mother thinks the suit makes me look like I’m auditioning for the Apprentice, not trying to get a teaching job. She says it makes me look uptight and too professional. She thinks if I dressed more approachable I would get a job. So she bought me an outfit. It’s a shirt with a long skirt. I don’t know if I should try it or not. I need some advice!

Answer 1

For teaching, a suit is dressing up a bit, but that wouldn't prevent you from getting the job. Wear something that you'd teach in; something professional looking, but not too formal. Nice slacks or a skirt with a button down shirt. Try on the outfit your mother bought, but make sure you feel comfortable in it and that it matches your personality.

If you haven't already, write down every question you can remember being asked in your seven interviews, especially those you were asked more than once. Think about how you answered the questions and how you wished you had answered. Write down your ideas and practice your answers with someone, like you're mom.

If you have a friend who is a very experienced teacher (maybe the teacher that you did your student teaching with, if possible), see if she'll go over your questions and answers with you. She will know all the 'buzz' words, the correct terminology for the current teaching trends, and should have some advice. Take notes on what she says, and then modify your practice interview answers. Again, practice with someone.

If you end up not getting a job this season, try substitute teaching. If you stick to a few schools that you like, you'll become a familiar face which will give you an 'in' with those schools when they need to fill a position. It will also give you a chance to learn the popular curriculum models, behavior methods, etc. It will also allow you to make friends in the teaching environment, that will be there for you to ask questions of.

I taught elementary school, and only had a successful interview after subbing for two years in the same district and going over interview questions with multiple teacher friends (some of whom had been on hiring committees). Granted, I really enjoyed subbing, so didn't apply for a full-time job until near the end of those two years; I got hired on my first interview.

Best of luck!

~Kyanna

Answer 2

You need to look very professional, so a suit would be the preferred choice. I've been on teacher interview committees-- we do talk about the way people dress. An under-dressed candidate will stick out like a sore thumb.

Honestly, clothing is important, but not as important as the interview itself. Some tips--

1. Study interview questions beforehand. Most teaching interviews have siimlar questions, so if you practice the questions you'll be more prepared.

2. Have a good teaching portfolio with you. Even though many candidates do not use one, a good teaching portfolio can allow you to SHOW the interviewers what you've done in the past.

3. WHenever they ask how you WOULD do something, tell them how you have ALREADY done it. THis will make you seem more experienced.

There's a good eBook about teaching interviews and getting teaching jobs. Maybe it can help you. The book is at: http://www.iwantateachingjob.com


Good luck to you!

Answer 3

3 Piece Suit Interview

Answer 4

I'm a male teacher, and I wouldn't wear a suit to an interview unless I could wear it in a way that works well with my character. I don't have suit like this, so I don't wear them to interviews. Here's why. They're interviewing you on a lot of things, and one is whether you will be able to relate and connect with students. A lot of interviews are afraid that you'll be too uptight to deal with flexibility and constraint change of their school. True, teaching is all about organization, but your organizational level is almost never a question in the interviews as much as your ability to go with the flow. Practice looking like someone who loves their subject matter and feels comfortable going with the flow, and were something that smart that reflexes that. That will probably make a better impression than the suit.

Answer 5

HI! I have been teaching for 18 years now. In my opinion you want to look professional but not like your applying for a bank manager's position. Maybe the suit makes you look too serious and let's face without a sense of humour teaching can be challenging. I would try the shirt and long skirt.
I am now teaching internationally and I love it, not sure you've ever thought about it but there are many jobs overseas. I wish I would have done this at the beginning of my career.Good Luck at your next interview and with your teaching career, it's a great job!!!

Answer 6

Nowadays suits are more appropriate for business interviews. As a teacher, business casual will do. Make up is a plus also. No tanks or spaghetti straps or anything above the knee. Maybe slacks and a buttoned down shirt or nice top. If the skirt is atleast knee length go with it. Present the whole package, hair makeup and shoes. Don't forget simple jewelry. Maybe a favorite pair of earrings and necklace that accent the outfit

Answer 7

THIS HAPPENED TO ME!!!

I was straight out of the business world with my newly acquired teaching credential and went on an interview. I am a good teacher, and was really prepared for the interview. I handled the interview like a business presentation. I wore the three piece suit, had the briefcase, presented example lesson plans, looked everyone in the eye and shook their hands.. and basically intimidated the hell out of them.

I called the head of personnel after I didn't get the job and asked him why. He hemmed and hawed for a few seconds and then told me to treat the next interview a little more casually, that I had come on a little strong.

No one wears a suit in teaching anymore.. even the principal doesn't always wear one.

Soooo, on the next interview I wore khaki pants, a short sleeved buttoned shirt, didn't bring anything to display. Just sat down like a normal person, answered their questions.. and got the job!

(You are lucky to have your mother to help... my mom died last year of cancer and TODAY is the first birthday I am having without her around.. she usually called and sang me happy birthday. Appreciate your mother!)

Answer 8

I'm in college right now, getting my teacher's certificate in Early Childhood Education. When we go out to do field work, our teachers tell us to NOT dress like the teachers dress. They already have a job, most follow the dress code, but some bend the code. You don't have a job, I think first impressions are very important. Our teachers tell us to strictly follow the dress code, which they don't say you must wear a suit, I think the suit is a very good move.

My best friend applied for several jobs before she found a teaching job. She is the smartest person that I know, don't let the search get you down. You have to sell yourself to them, but they have to sell themselves to you too, you're doing great! Good luck! :o)

Answer 9

ALWAYS wear a suit to an interview. You will impress whomever is interviewing you.

Your mother is right...it does make you look professional. But she is wrong to say that you will look TOO professional...there is no such thing. If you are straight out of college, you will want to show them that you are ready for this job. If you go in with what your mom bought you, they might think your mind is still in college. With a suit, you are showing them that you are grown up and are ready for a career.

Answer 10

I would go with the suit. I think the more professional looking the better. I wore a suit to an interview and got hired! Good luck!