Interviewing? Here's what I learned

I know this time of year is exciting for many SLPs.  Graduation is (seemingly) moments away, and the real world can finally begin.  The first big hurdle is landing a job- preferably in the field, with CF mentorship, in a setting you want, with a paycheck that might actually support you.  Sounds like a daunting task? Read on for my 9 tips for interviewing for an SLP position.

When I graduated from my program, I applied to EVERY school job within a 60 mile radius.  It amounted to about 90 applications, which was pretty simple, because we are set up by regions (usually counties), and you can apply to multiple school districts that belong to one region/county with just a few extra clicks of buttons.  So it was a matter of scouring the regional sites daily, and making sure that I applied to any new positions quickly.  Around my part of the world, most of the hiring for SLPs happens between early May and late June.  So starting in mid May made me already feel behind.  Although it's been a while, I do distinctly remember some of the things I would have done differently if given the opportunity, as well as some helpful tips I picked up along the way.

From The Graphics Factory

1. Check out the applications EARLY.  I didn't realize most districts around me would want the letters of recommendation before they even scheduled an interview. If you are like me and have two external placements during your last semester, get your letters of recommendation early, even if you aren't sure if you'll end up in the schools.  Better to have them on hand than to watch jobs appear and disappear because you are waiting on that letter.  And check the application requirements.  Mine included essays(!), which aren't huge, but do take time to do.  Seriously, get on that early.

2. Have access to a scanner.  While there are many benefits to online applications, one of the way they streamline is to have you submit everything electronically.  Including but not limited to your transcripts (of which you'll need a second, official copy when you are hired), letters of recommendation, resume, licensure paperwork, etc.  For some things, learning how to save a word document as a pdf is a great place to start.  For things you'll need to scan, the scanner will be your best friend.  Or your worst enemy if you have a finicky one (*ahem*).

3. The suit matters.  When I was in grad school, the career center representative came to talk to us about making a resume and going on interviews.  She said yes, you need a suit for interviews, but as an SLP, it doesn't have to be quite as prim and proper as a suit might be for, say, a business major.  We can add some tasteful color, especially those who were looking to go into the school setting.  But for the love of pete, a fitted suit does matter.  Plus, there's something about it that makes you feel confident. So even if it's the place you did your placement at, and you know the dress code is "don't look like a student," still wear a suit.

From The Graphics Factory

4. Be on time.  Boy, this should go without saying, right? Being a few minutes early is even better.  You don't want to blow in and look frazzled because you just ran from your car.

5. Be prepared for more than one interviewer.  In my interview meeting, all of the SLPs in the district were in on the interview, along with the Director of Special Education. One interview had only 2 people, but that was pretty atypical.  Usually, I saw 5-9 people in the room. It can be a bit intimidating, but it's better if you expect that. Those people can include other SLPs, SpEd Director, principal(s), coordinators, special ed. teachers...pretty much any member of the special education and related services team. 

6. Smile. Remember, inherently, we are a caring profession, whether it is in the medical setting or the school setting.  Even if you are nervous, a warm smile will give off the appearance of confidence, and make you appear to be a good team player.  Which I'm sure you are.

7. Prepare yourself for the interview questions.  There are, of course, the standard questions, like identifying your strengths and weaknesses.  But as SLPs, there are a few role specific questions that I was asked on EVERY interview.  Those were:

• How would you assess a bilingual/bicultural student?
• What populations do you have experience with?
• What assessments are you familiar with? Which is your favorite? Why?
• How have you applied the Common Core to speech goals?

At one interview, I was also given a scenario regarding students with varying needs in the same group, and asked to devise an activity that would meet all goal areas (thank goodness for barrier activities!).

Additionally, if the position works with a specific population, research the population (no brainer, right?).  When I worked at a therapeutic day school for individuals with autism, you wouldn't believe how many applicants had no background knowledge on kids with autism.  Be prepared to talk (without going into specifics) about clients/students/patients you may have had in the past that relate to an experience or population.  You may not have a chance to bring it up, but most interviews I was on asked which populations I felt comfortable working with/ experience in.

8. Have a question or two prepared: it can be about number of SLPs in the district, their RtI procedures, mentoring program, CF mentorship (very important if you are in your CFY!), professional development...basically anything (except salary specifics/benefits), just so you don't have that moment at the end when they say, "do you have any questions for us?" and you say, "uhhh...not that I can think of." 

9. Write the Thank You letter.  In the school setting, this can usually go to the Director of Special Education, a lead SLP, building principal, or whoever else seemed "in charge" of the interview.  Write it that day if you can, because you never know when the decision will be made. Include something relevant to the interview that will make them remember the conversation you had.  Compliment the district in some way, and make sure you include how excited you would be to join the district.  You can Google thank you letters after job interviews if you want to see some fancy wording.

Those are my tips for a successful interview process.  For those who are starting the interview process, I wish you the best.  For those that have already been there, any more suggestions for the courageous souls that are knee deep in applications and listings?