My Top 10 PGCE Interview Tips! (Secondary)

Classroom Chronicles
17 May 202313:41
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Rain shares her personal experience and top 10 tips for acing a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) interview, specifically for secondary history applicants. She advises on formal dressing, thorough research on the program, preparation of necessary documents, and understanding of behavior management and safeguarding. Rain emphasizes the importance of being genuine, relaxed, and acknowledging one's weaknesses while showing a commitment to improvement. She also suggests having a detailed lesson plan, drawing from personal experiences, and showcasing subject strengths. Lastly, she encourages viewers to ask questions about the course to make an informed decision, highlighting that the interview is a two-way process.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Dress formally for interviews and remove piercings to present a professional image.
  • 🔍 Research the program and review the interview guidance provided to appear organized and prepared.
  • 📚 Bring a folder with certificates and necessary documentation to demonstrate preparedness.
  • 👀 Look up behavior management and safeguarding topics as they are likely to be discussed in the interview.
  • 🧘‍♀️ Take a deep breath and remember that interviewers are assessing potential, not perfection.
  • 🤝 Make eye contact and be friendly with everyone to show you can connect with people.
  • 📈 Prepare a detailed lesson plan to demonstrate your understanding of teaching strategies.
  • 💪 Admit your weaknesses and show a commitment to work hard to overcome them.
  • 👥 Reference any relevant experiences or skills that can be applied to teaching.
  • 📚 Read up on specific subject knowledge and pedagogy to show your expertise and passion.
  • ❓ Have questions ready for the interviewers to learn more about the course and the school.
Q & A

  • What is the purpose of Rain's video?

    -Rain's video serves as a video journal of her progress through teacher training applications and aims to help others who are going through or will go through the same process.

  • How many interviews has Rain completed at the time of recording the video?

    -Rain has completed two interviews at the time of recording the video and has one more to go.

  • What is Rain's top reason for creating a video on interview guidance?

    -Rain wants to share her top 10 tips for a successful PGCE interview while the experience is fresh in her mind.

  • Why does Rain feel it's important to dress formally for interviews?

    -Dressing formally is important to make a good impression and to not appear as if one is going to dress like a university student in a school setting where respect is crucial.

  • What should applicants do regarding piercings for school interviews?

    -Applicants should remove any piercings for school interviews to maintain a professional appearance.

  • Why is it crucial to research the program and check the interview guidance?

    -Researching the program and checking the interview guidance is crucial to understand what is expected, to appear organized, and to prepare for specific tasks like lesson preparation or presentations.

  • What should applicants bring to their interview to show organization?

    -Applicants should bring a folder containing certificates, any necessary resources, and documentation to demonstrate their organizational skills.

  • Why is it important for applicants to research behavior management and safeguarding before the interview?

    -Researching behavior management and safeguarding is important because these topics are likely to come up in interviews, and showing knowledge in these areas demonstrates preparedness and understanding of key teaching responsibilities.

  • What is the key message Rain wants to convey about the interviewers' perspective on the applicant's experience?

    -The key message is that interviewers are looking for potential and passion for teaching rather than perfection, and they want to see if the applicant would be a good fit for their team.

  • What advice does Rain give for making a lesson plan for a potential teaching scenario in the interview?

    -Rain advises creating a detailed lesson plan to demonstrate a deep understanding of teaching and engagement strategies, even if it's for a short interview segment.

  • Why is it beneficial for applicants to admit their weaknesses during the interview?

    -Admitting weaknesses is beneficial because it shows the applicant's ability to learn, self-awareness, and a commitment to work hard to overcome those weaknesses.

  • What does Rain suggest about the relevance of past experiences to teaching?

    -Rain suggests that while past experiences may not be directly related to teaching, they can still be referenced to demonstrate transferable skills that are relevant to the teaching profession.

  • What should applicants do to prepare their subject knowledge for the interview?

    -Applicants should read as much as they can about the specific subject they might be teaching, consult professional articles, and focus on areas they are passionate about to showcase their strengths.

  • What is Rain's advice regarding having questions to ask at the end of the interview?

    -Rain advises having questions prepared to learn more about the course, the team, and the working environment, emphasizing that the interview is an opportunity for applicants to evaluate the fit as well.

Outlines
00:00
📚 PGCE Interview Preparation and Tips

Rain introduces her first video where she discusses her journey through teacher training applications and shares her experiences and tips for a successful PGCE interview. She emphasizes the importance of dressing formally, researching the program, preparing necessary documents, and understanding behavior management and safeguarding. Rain also suggests bringing a folder with certificates and resources to show organization and readiness for the teaching profession.

05:01
👁️ Making a Great First Impression

In this paragraph, Rain advises on the importance of making eye contact and being friendly during the interview process. She mentions the significance of showing a genuine interest in working with people and the ability to connect with others. Rain also talks about the need to be prepared for teaching scenarios, such as creating a detailed lesson plan and admitting to weaknesses while pledging to work hard to overcome them. She encourages being yourself and highlighting your passion for teaching.

10:02
🏫 Navigating School-Based and Subject-Specific Challenges

Rain discusses the importance of having experience and referencing it during interviews, even if it's not directly related to teaching. She talks about the value of reading and being knowledgeable about challenges teachers face, especially in subject-specific areas like history. Rain suggests preparing by reading articles and resources from educators and professionals to demonstrate a strong foundation in subject knowledge. She also highlights the importance of having questions to ask the interviewers to learn more about the course and the team you might be working with.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡PGCE Interview
PGCE stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which is a qualification required to teach in the UK. The script discusses the process of applying for a PGCE in secondary history and provides tips for a successful interview. The term 'PGCE Interview' is central to the video's theme as it is the main event the creator is preparing for and advising others on.
💡Teacher Training
Teacher training refers to the process of preparing to become a qualified teacher. In the script, the creator is going through the teacher training applications and shares their experience and advice for others who might be in the same situation. This concept is integral to the video's narrative as it sets the context for the creator's journey and the advice provided.
💡Interview Guidance
Interview guidance encompasses the tips and advice given to prepare for an interview. The video script includes a list of top 10 tips for a successful PGCE interview, which highlights the importance of preparation and understanding the process. This term is directly related to the creator's aim to help others prepare for their interviews.
💡Behavior Management
Behavior management refers to the strategies and techniques used by teachers to maintain a conducive learning environment. In the script, the creator advises looking up behavior management techniques as it is a common topic in interviews. This concept is crucial as it represents a key skill that teachers need to demonstrate during their interviews.
💡Safeguarding
Safeguarding involves protecting children and young people from harm and abuse. The script mentions that safeguarding is a topic that interviewers will definitely ask about, emphasizing the importance of understanding designated safeguarding officers and confidentiality. This term is critical as it reflects a mandatory requirement for teachers to ensure student safety.
💡Lesson Plan
A lesson plan is a detailed outline of a lesson, including objectives, activities, and assessments. The video script suggests creating a detailed lesson plan as part of the interview preparation, which is a way to demonstrate teaching skills and organization. This term is relevant as it exemplifies the practical aspects of teaching that are evaluated during interviews.
💡Subject Knowledge
Subject knowledge refers to the understanding and expertise in the specific subject area one intends to teach. The script mentions that interviewers might ask about subject-specific challenges and expect teachers to have a strong grasp of their subject. This concept is important as it underscores the need for teachers to be knowledgeable in their field.
💡Personal Statement
A personal statement is a written document that reflects one's experiences, skills, and motivations for applying to a particular program. The creator mentions referencing non-schoolwork experiences in their personal statement, which shows how personal statements can highlight transferable skills relevant to teaching.
💡Eye Contact
Eye contact is the act of looking at someone's eyes while communicating, which is considered a sign of confidence and engagement. The video script advises making eye contact during the interview to show that one is comfortable working with people. This term is significant as it represents a non-verbal communication skill that can impact the interview outcome.
💡Admitting Weaknesses
Admitting weaknesses refers to the ability to recognize and acknowledge one's own areas for improvement. The creator suggests that interviewees should be open about their weaknesses and show a commitment to work on them. This term is important as it demonstrates humility and a growth mindset, which are valued in teaching.
💡Questions to Ask
Questions to ask are inquiries that interviewees prepare to learn more about the program, the school, or the teaching environment. The script mentions that interviewers will ask if the interviewee has any questions, which is an opportunity to show interest and gather information. This term is relevant as it completes the interview process, allowing the interviewee to engage actively.
Highlights

Introduction to Rain's video journal on teacher training applications.

Rain shares her top 10 tips for a successful PGCE interview.

Emphasis on dressing formally and removing piercings for school interviews.

Importance of researching the program and checking interview guidance.

Advice on bringing a folder with certificates and necessary documentation.

Suggestion to review behavior management and safeguarding before the interview.

Tips on handling sensitive information and designated safeguarding officers.

Encouragement to be relaxed and show potential rather than perfection.

Making eye contact and being friendly to everyone during the interview.

The possibility of being asked to teach a class and the importance of lesson planning.

Admitting weaknesses and showing a commitment to work hard to overcome them.

Rain's limited school experience and how it's less relevant for her current goals.

Importance of referencing experiences and skills relevant to teaching.

Advice on preparing subject knowledge and having a strength in a specific area.

Having questions ready for the interviewers to show interest in the course.

The interview as an opportunity to get to know potential colleagues and facilities.

Rain's closing remarks and openness to making another video if needed.

Transcripts

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PGCE InterviewTeaching TipsHistory EducationInterview GuidanceTeacher TrainingBehavior ManagementSafeguardingLesson PlanningProfessional DevelopmentEducational Resources