Interview - need help !!!!!

hi, i got my letter this morning to tell me i have got an interview at St.Martin's College, to do a PGCE course !!!!

while im delighted iv finally got an interview, and a possible pace on course (fingers crossed), im dreading the interview, im really worried that il do very badly in interview and then wont b offered a place!!! so does anyone have any tips or advice for the interview ? and wwhat usually happens at these interviews ? what can i expect ? are they nice or really mean ?

Thanks !

Reply 1

treff

1

I hear that there are *standard* questions that will probably be asked, like why you want to study that subject at that uni, what you will do after you get your degree, etc. You can perhaps prepare answers for these kinds of questions.

Oh, and perhaps try to go to the uni a day or more before the actual interview, so that you are better rested and can be more relaxed at the interview, as you will have some time to get yourself accustomed to your surroundings. :smile:

Good luck! :smile:

Reply 2

**R**

OP

1

treff

I hear that there are *standard* questions that will probably be asked, like why you want to study that subject at that uni, what you will do after you get your degree, etc. You can perhaps prepare answers for these kinds of questions.

Oh, and perhaps try to go to the uni a day or more before the actual interview, so that you are better rested and can be more relaxed at the interview, as you will have some time to get yourself accustomed to your surroundings. :smile:

Good luck! :smile:

thanks for that !!!
yeah i am planning on flying over a day or 2 in advance, just in case flight cancelled or something goes wrong so i wont miss interview !!

Reply 3

SamJL

1

**R**

thanks for that !!!
yeah i am planning on flying over a day or 2 in advance, just in case flight cancelled or something goes wrong so i wont miss interview !!

I recently had a postgraduate interview (to do physiotherapy not teaching!), I imagine they are all much the same.

The typical questions were- why do you want to do it, why here, what skills do you have that are suitable, what skills do you think you need to be a (teacher). They aslo usually ask about your work experience- the things you saw etc... They might also ask things like -what are youre strengths and weaknesses, what annoys you etc. They will probably ask about your dissertation/degree etc.

One thing which they may also ask is - "how do you see the future of the profession changing", so prepare for that one! They didn't ask me that but I turned it around and asked them instead what they thought the future held and how was the uni preparing students for those changes. They seemed to really like it, I guess it showed I wanted to go somewhere good, not just any old place, plus it shows you are thinking ahead to the future.

Anyway, I got in (againsn't 100+ others!) so must have said something they liked!!

One thing I will advise is you must be super confident when you go in, yes you'll be nervous (I was terrified!) but if you show you're confident in yourself and that you know you can do the job, they'll love it!!

Good luck! :smile:

Reply 4

Mrs_F

15

Hiya! Have you been sent any information about your interview day? The day was really relaxed, the interviews made you feel as comfortable as possible and all the other candidates were really nice. Do you have any idea how many will be there on your day?
When I had mine we had to do a presention on a topic which was given when we arrived (we had over lunch to prepare). My topic was "discuss the role of the teaching assistant". They were all classroom based topics as they were looking for what experience you had and how well you could talk about your experiences. They mainly looked for your ability to speak up in front of a group, rather than what you actually said. The interview was also centred around personal experiences and I was also asked to tell about a teacher which influenced me and why they were so influential. I was asked about the work load, why I want to teach, what makes a good teacher, all the usual things really, and was given a scenario question - what would I do in a certain situation etc.

Do you have any tests to do? I had maths and English tests to pass, and they weren't too bad at all.

If there is anything else you want to know just ask - I assume that all interviews will be similar!

Good luck with it and let us know how you do!

Reply 5

**R**

OP

1

yeah i didnt get much information with the letter, just that there will a short interview, then some tests (i presume englsh and maths tests), and then a group interview where wwe discuss educational issues in a group. its the group bit im worried most about, cos im a bit shy and quiet around new ppl and big groups, so i hope il b able to get a word in edge ways, oor at least do really well in the individual interview !!!

whenever i haaave a job interview , if the ppl interviewing me are nice i m fine, but if they are not then im terrible in interviews, so i hope they will b nice at this interview !!

thanks to everyone who replied, im in a bit of a panic about this so your help and advice is great !!! thanks so much !!

Reply 6

Mrs_F

15

**R**

yeah i didnt get much information with the letter, just that there will a short interview, then some tests (i presume englsh and maths tests), and then a group interview where wwe discuss educational issues in a group. its the group bit im worried most about, cos im a bit shy and quiet around new ppl and big groups, so i hope il b able to get a word in edge ways, oor at least do really well in the individual interview !!!

whenever i haaave a job interview , if the ppl interviewing me are nice i m fine, but if they are not then im terrible in interviews, so i hope they will b nice at this interview !!

thanks to everyone who replied, im in a bit of a panic about this so your help and advice is great !!! thanks so much !!

Don't panic I am sure you will be fine. Our group discussions only consisted of 6 people per group. They really weren't all that bad. As long as you don't sit back and let everyone else do the talking you will be fine. If you have something to say, say it!! Good luck again!

Reply 7

**R**

OP

1

Thanks !!! how long did the whole day / process last ? my schedule they sent me , last thing they list is 1.00 individual interview, followed by group interview. im wondering how long all that will last ? i suppose it depends on how many will b there, as they will need to have their individual interviews before the group interview !

im trying to organise my flights but dont know what time to book them for, dont want to miss flight just cos the day runs late !!

Reply 8

SamJL

1

**R**

Thanks !!! how long did the whole day / process last ? my schedule they sent me , last thing they list is 1.00 individual interview, followed by group interview. im wondering how long all that will last ? i suppose it depends on how many will b there, as they will need to have their individual interviews before the group interview !

im trying to organise my flights but dont know what time to book them for, dont want to miss flight just cos the day runs late !!

I'd get the latest flight you can after the interview, when I had my interview for my course I booked the last flight of the day, just in case! They usually do run over, for my course 4 of us were assigned the same hour for the interview, we then had individual 15 minute interviews and then had a tour around the campus and chatted to some current students. In all we were there for a good hour past when we should have been! As you are having group interviews too then I'd give yourself a good 2/3 hours, rather that than miss the flight!

Where is it by the way??

Reply 9

**R**

OP

1

cheers for that !!

i was planning on getting a late flight , but i wasnt sure how long the train journey would b also ,so the last one possible is best option.

it is in St.Martin's College, Carlisle campus.

i will prob get flight into Manchester (i think thats nearest one to Carlisle)

then i will need to sort out train to Carlisle from Manchester ! anyone know web addy for trains in Uk ? plz?

i will travel around the day before and stay in hostel , cos it starts at 11 am , and i dont want to b late, or travelling half the night/early morning and b exhausted during the interview !!

Reply 10

Mrs_F

15

**R**

Thanks !!! how long did the whole day / process last ? my schedule they sent me , last thing they list is 1.00 individual interview, followed by group interview. im wondering how long all that will last ? i suppose it depends on how many will b there, as they will need to have their individual interviews before the group interview !

im trying to organise my flights but dont know what time to book them for, dont want to miss flight just cos the day runs late !!

My day began at 10:30 and finished at 4:30. My interview (group and individual) lasted about an hour all together - but then we had to sit around waiting for the others so we could do the maths and English tests.

Reply 11

**R**

OP

1

lynseyweth

My day began at 10:30 and finished at 4:30. My interview (group and individual) lasted about an hour all together - but then we had to sit around waiting for the others so we could do the maths and English tests.

ok thanks ! i think il fit it trains and make my flight on time, i was guessing
that it would last any longer than 5.30 and that gives me enough time , just about to make flight ok !!

Interview - need help !!!!!

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