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Tips on preparing for an ECEC interview
Freya Lucas
Sep 30, 2024
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Interviewing for a new job, regardless of sector or industry, can be a nerve racking time.
When interviewing for an early childhood education and care (ECEC) position, the process can be more complex, given the high number of regulations and policies to be aware of, and the vulnerability of the children being cared for.Many people can feel a mix of anticpation and excitement along with nervousness and self doubt ahead of an intereview, keen to make a good first impression, and to secure a new role, while also demonstrating that they are kind, competent and ready to make a difference in the lives of others.
Not knowing what to expect can amplify feelings of doubt or worry. Many people wonder what interview questions might come up, what the interviewer is looking for in their ideal candidate, or how the interview can impact their career.
In the piece below we provide some guidelines which may help ECEC professionals to feel more assured ahead of their next interview.
Before the interview
Know the service
In the lead up to the interview it can be helpful to research the service. What is their philosophy? When were they last assessed and rated, and what was the outcome of the assessment and rating process?
Visiting the service website and social media can also give a good sense of what the service values and priorities, as well as the values, and how the service delivers its programs of learning.
Know the role
As well as researching the service, it is important to understand the role you are applying for.
Have you responded to an advertisement for a casual staff member, to be an educational leader, or for an educator position? Sometimes when people are applying for multiple roles at once, they can forget which role they had applied for, so taking time before the interview to refresh your memory can be a useful tool.
If the job ad has a link out to a position description, make time to read this ahead of the interview, noting the key responsibilities and considering how your skills and experiences will help you to be successful in the role.
Know the field
Take time in the lead up to the interview to review common interview questions from the ECEC sector, and think about how you might answer them.
Leaders and service owners typically want to know about your experience of working with children and families, how you have dealt with challenging behaviour (from children, from parents, and from others you have worked with), and how you manage your daily work tasks.
Practicing your responses to possible questions with a friend or family member can ease the nervousness. Here are some questions you might like to rehearse:
- What drew you to working with children?
- Can you tell me about a time when you’ve worked with a challenging person?
- How would you deal with a parent complaint?
- Please describe an activity you would use with a child who needed more support with developing a pincer grip
At the interview
Consider first impressions
When attending an interview it is important to dress professionally. While wearing ‘office wear’ to an early childhood service may not be appropriate, depending on the context of the setting and community, it is important to ensure that your clothes fit well, are clean and free from strong smoke, pet or food odours.
Overly casual outfits such as athletic wear, jeans and tee shirts would not be appropriate interview attire in many settings.
When meeting the person or people you will be interviewing with, walk into the room with confidence, and be aware of your body language and demeanor.
While waiting for your interview, smile at any parents or children who are walking past, and ensure that you present yourself in a way which engenders trust. When meeting the person or people you will interview with, greet them with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, and offer a warm smile to set a positive tone for the remainder of the session.
Tips for success
During the interview itself, communicate your passion for working with children and families. Many ECEC professionals will say “I just love working with kids…” but this goes without saying, and is evident by the fact that you have chosen a career in ECEC.
What, specifically, do you love about working with children? Is it the joy you feel when you support them to make a significant discovery? The variety which comes with the role, and never knowing what is coming next, or is it having the opportunity to give children access to social and emotional growth to set them up well for life?
Try to think of one or two experiences that highlight your love for the sector, and share some key learnings from previous roles and how they have helped you grow and develop as a professional.
When you are asked for examples of situations or events which have taken place during your career use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This approach will help you provide clear and concise answers while demonstrating your problem-solving abilities, communication skills, interpersonal skills and achievements.
After the interview
Once the interview has concluded, an opportunity will typically be provided for the applicant to ask questions, which gives you the ideal chance to demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for the role.
Some questions you might like to ask include;
- “Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?”
- “What are the opportunities for professional development at your centre?”
- “How do you support your staff in maintaining a work-life balance?”
Learn more about interviewing in the ECEC sector here.
For a comprehensive range of roles at all levels of the ECEC sector visit The Sector’s jobs board.
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