interviews

What Questions Should Candidates for School Leadership Positions Ask When Closing the Deal?

You have survived three rounds of interviews and are now down to one of three finalists. Your last stop is with the Superintendent of Schools and two of the Assistant Superintendents. You should predict that they are going to ask you, “Do you have any questions for us?” among other questions.

Be aware, their time is limited, and they will appreciate it if you limit yourself to no more than three questions. Nevertheless, the quality of your questions does make an impact and can be a game changer. Your goal is to impress them with your professionalism, thoughtfulness, and collegiality.

These are a few questions from which you might chose:

  1. What do you want me to accomplish by the end of the year that would result in you saying that I’ve been successful?
  2. Big picture, what is your vision for this district?
  3. In your opinion, what are the assets and the liabilities in coming into this position?
  4. What advice do you have for my success?

How do these questions reflect upon you as a candidate? I would conclude that you are (1) interested in being successful; (2) willing to fit into their leadership team and fulfill their goals; (3) thoughtful and curious about their current status; and (4)  eager to gain background knowledge and get off to an effective quick start.

Asking good open-ended questions also serves as a vehicle to extend the conversation. I suggest, you briefly comment on their responses in your attempt to extend the conversation. “I have some experience dealing with______.” “How much progress are you making in your ______ initiative?” “I’m very impressed with what you are saying about _______ because ________.”

At the conclusion of the interview, you should always ask: “When can I expect to hear back from you?”

YOUR SUCCESS DURING ALL PHASES OF THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS IS DEPENDENT UPON YOUR PREPARATION AND PERFORMANCE. LET ME BE YOUR COACH—WWW.LARRYARONSTEIN@YAHOO.COM

ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE A COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE?

Assume that you are a well-qualified applicant who is applying for a mid-level leadership position and are 1 out of a total of 150 applicants. Assume that there are 10 other candidates who are at least as equally qualified. Therefore, you need to be better prepared than the rest of the field in order to out-compete them. What must you know and do so you stand out from rest of the candidates? Consider the following:

  1. Do you know how to strategically organize and design a resume that gets the reviewers’ attention?
  2. Do you know how to differentiate yourself in your response to the inevitable question, “Tell us about yourself”?
  3. Do you know the best order in which to be interviewed and how to get, like in a horse race, the best “post position”?
  4. Do you know what to do in order to accurately anticipate most of the questions you’ll be asked?
  5. Do you know long to take in answering a question?
  6. Do you know how to read the “body language” of the interviewers?
  7. Do you know what questions to ask at the conclusion of your interview?
  8. Do you know how to frame a final statement at the conclusion of an interview?
  9. Do you have a strategy as to how to present yourself as someone who is likeable and a good fit for the school-community?
  10. Do you know how to adjust your interviewing approach as you move from screening to committee to leadership to Board interviews?
  11. Do you know how to create an entry plan in anticipation to getting the job, and how to go about creating your priorities?
  12. Do you know how to “close the deal” if you are a finalist”?
  13. Do you know how to negotiate the best deal for yourself if you’re offered the job?
  14. Do you how to make a good impression during your first 100 days?

There are many other things that you must know in order to be a highly competitive candidate. I have coached 100’s of my clients get their dream jobs. Let me help you, too.