If you want to be employed as a teaching assistant, the interview is the most important part of the hiring process. Teachers’ helpers need to be able to communicate and get along with others well. The best way to test these skills is in person. One way to get ready for an interview as a teacher assistant is to look over a list of possible interview questions.

This piece has 10 different interview questions for teaching assistants, along with tips and sample answers to help you come up with your own.

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Questions in general

The purpose of these questions is to help the interviewer learn about the candidate’s personality, hobbies, and educational background:

1. Walk me through your resume.
2. In what way do you want to help the teacher?
3. What is the biggest strength that you think you bring to this role?
4. What do you think is your biggest flaw?
5. What makes you want to work at this school?
6. Tell me what you think a teaching assistant’s job is.
7. Do you think that working as a teaching aid would be satisfying for you? Have you found previous TA jobs to be satisfying? If so, describe how.
8. In what ways do you think the job of a teaching helper is important?
9. Tell me about the things you’re doing to get better at being a teacher’s aide.
10. What do you think the biggest difficulties will be in this job?
11. Please tell me what you know about our school and how we teach.
12. What’s your favorite thing about making art with kids?
13. In three to five years, where do you notice yourself?
14. Which traits do you believe are most important for a teaching assistant?

Top 20 Common Morrisons interview questions (UK 2023)

10 Teaching Assistant Interview Tips

1. Learn out more about the school

To help you get ready for the interview, one of the most important things you can do is learn about the school. See what the school stands for, what its goals are, and what its purpose is by going to its website.

Talk to the headmaster or headmistress of the school or other TAs if you can to find out how the school works and what roles they play. That way, your comments will be more in line with the school’s values and way of life.

2. Search over the job brief

See the job description ahead of time to get an idea of what the job entails. You will be able to better prepare for the interview if you read this prior to it.

Another useful thing about the job description is that it tells you what skills and qualities the interviewer is looking for. Read it all the way through and make notes on anything you don’t understand so you can ask about it in the interview.

3. Share some examples

The question “why accomplish you desire to be a teaching assistant?” is possible to come up during the interview. The interviewer wants to know that you really care about schooling and aren’t just looking for a job to make money.

You should be ready to give specific examples of how you have helped kids make progress when you worked with them before. Also, make sure to mention if you have run any programs or have knowledge in a certain area.

4. Be conscious of the most usual interview questions

1. What makes you want to work with kids?
2. What kind of work experience do you have with kids?
3. What would you do if a kid was being a pain?
4. How do you make good use of your time?
5. How would you change the way you teach to meet the needs of different types of students?
6. If you were to describe the perfect teaching aid, what would they be?
7. What would you do to make a good place to learn?

5. Present yourself properly

We can’t stress enough how important it is to dress properly for an interview. Make sure that the clothes you wear are neat, cleaned, and appropriate.

Don’t wear anything that will draw attention to you, like bright colors or jewelry that is too loud. The way you look should always show that you are confident and skilled.

6. Arrive early and prepared

It’s important to get to the interview early. It shows that you are responsible and on time, which are two traits that TAs really value.

Bring a copy of your resume, any licenses or qualifications you have, and a notepad and pen to take notes. Having all of these things on hand will show that you are ready and organized.

7. Be ready for questions based on your skills

The purpose of competency-based questions is to help the interviewer figure out how you would act in certain situations. Usually, they start with “Tell me about a time when…” and then ask about a certain event.

For instance, “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult student.” You can answer behavioral questions quickly and with confidence during the interview if you think about your answers ahead of time.

8. Exhibit your uniqueness

Supporting the teacher is the main job of a teaching assistant, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be yourself in the interview.

The people interviewing you want to see that you are really interested in schooling. Be yourself in your words, your body language, and your facial expressions. Don’t be afraid to show that.

9. What makes you think you’re the best person for this job?

In order to learn more about what makes you a good choice, the interviewer may ask this question. A good answer to this question will show off your skills and knowledge. When you talk about skills and abilities, it’s important to make sure they stand out.

“I consider I am the most suitable person for this job because I have been successful in the past performing with children of different years and stages.” Having that understanding has helped me become a better teacher and improve my ability to use a range of teaching methods. I’m also good at keeping the class under control, and I can change the way I teach to fit the needs of each child.

10. Tell me about an instance when a kid refused to participate in a classroom activity.

The kids don’t always want to take part in classroom games. The interviewer asks this question to learn more about how you get kids to do things. Instead of just talking about bad things that will happen, a good answer talks about how you will support the child in a good way. Asking the child why they don’t want to engage, giving them help if they need it, and helping them see the point of the activity should all be part of your answer.

“I would first sit down with the child sole to uncover release if there was a precise reason they didn’t want to take part.” Then, I would tell them what the practice was really for and try to find ways to make it fun despite their objections. If they say no, I won’t usually try to force them. I would just give them another option that would help them with the same lesson, something they could do on their own, and that I think they would also enjoy. I know that every child learns in their own unique way, and my main goal is to make them love learning.

In-depth inquiries for Teaching Assistant Interviews

These in-depth questions test a candidate’s ability to think critically and solve problems, and they also help the interviewer learn more about the candidate’s teaching mindset.

1. What do you believe makes a good lesson?
2. What would you do with a kid who was making a fuss in class?
3. What can you do to help make the world a safer place for kids? Please give me some examples.
4. How can I talk to my parents? Do you have any suggestions? Tell me about those people.
5. Really, what would you do if a kid told you they were bored?
6. What can you do to help a kid who is having a hard time in school?
7. If a child didn’t want to read, what would you do to help them?
8. What would you do to help a child who was having trouble with a certain task?
9. Please tell me about a time when a child or teen did something that made you worry. What interested you? What do you do about it? With whom else did you work?
10. Tell me about a time when you didn’t agree with how the teacher did things. What did you do to deal with it?
11. When a kid hits a friend, what would you do?
12. What methods do you use to make good use of your work time?

Here are 10 extra tips to help you prepare for a Teaching Assistant (TA) interview and increase your chances of landing your dream job:

1. Understand the Role:

Familiarize yourself with the specific responsibilities of a teaching assistant. This might include grading, conducting tutorials, assisting with lesson planning, and providing support to students.

2. Know the School or Institution:

Research the school or institution where you’re interviewing. Understand their values, teaching methods, and any specific programs or initiatives they have in place.

3. Highlight Relevant Skills:

Identify and emphasize the skills that make you a great fit for the TA role. This may include communication skills, organizational skills, ability to work in a team, and subject-specific knowledge.

4. Review Common Interview Questions:

Be prepared for questions about your experience, how you handle challenges, and your approach to working with students. Practice your responses to common TA interview questions.

5. Discuss Classroom Management:

Be ready to discuss how you would contribute to maintaining a positive and productive learning environment. Share any experiences you have in managing a classroom or working with students.

6. Showcase Flexibility and Adaptability:

TAs often need to adapt to different teaching styles and approaches. Highlight instances where you’ve demonstrated flexibility and an ability to adapt to changing situations.

7. Demonstrate Passion for Education:

Express your enthusiasm for education and working with students. Discuss any extracurricular activities, workshops, or courses you’ve taken to enhance your teaching skills.

8. Provide Examples from Past Experiences:

Use specific examples from your previous roles or experiences that demonstrate your ability to work effectively in an educational setting. This could include successful collaboration with teachers, positive outcomes from your assistance, etc.

9. Ask Informed Questions:

Prepare questions to ask the interviewers. This shows your genuine interest in the position and the institution. Questions might include inquiries about the curriculum, opportunities for professional development, or the school’s approach to inclusivity.

10. Dress Professionally:

Dress in a professional manner that reflects the culture of the school. This may vary depending on the institution, so research the dress code or norms beforehand.

Remember to remain confident, positive, and authentic during the interview. Good luck!

Wrapping Up

If you are really interested in education, becoming a teaching helper is a great chance. Yes, the interview process can be nerve-wracking, but if you prepare, you can feel ready to take on the task.

Get examples ready, read the job description, show what you know, show up early, and be yourself. Your interview will go well if you follow these tips. You will get the TA job you want.