hi
hopefully someone can help me i have an interview on tuesday as a special needs assistant
what questions will i be asked etc can anyone help me i am really really nervous

thank you in advance

ginastarr

they will ask why you want the job were you would like 2be in 5years or 10 years time on wot scale do you want to work with special need people. do you get on with everone young to old . also you ask them etc how did they start wot was the worst time they had . hope it helps dawn

Hi Gina

They might also ask why they should give the job to you instead of the other candidates!  There might also be some questions designed to find out how you behave in certain situations, for example, they might ask you about a time you had to work within a team and what was your contribution to that team or to tell them about a time when you had to deal with an awkward customer or client and how you resolved the situation.  Don't worry if you haven't got actual paid work experiences to use as examples, use things from voluntary work, organisations, hobbies etc.  Prepare in your mind some answers to stock situational questions like this.

Also, take a look at the job description and decide what you would ask the candidate to find out if they could do the job.  Prepare in your mind examples of times you have done the tasks or used the skills needed to do the tasks. Elaborate your answers with training that you have that is applicable to the duties.

Don't be afraid to pause to consider your answer and if you find yourself really stuck on one, don't be afraid to ask if you can come back to it.  Once you've given a full answer to a question, stop speaking - don't find yourself chatting on to try to fill a silence :)  Be natural and make eye contact with those interviewing you - if there is more than one person, let your eye contact take in all of them - don't just concentrate on the one asking it.

Finally, don't be worried about being nervous, they will expect you to be!  Put in some preparation for it and try to build your confidence by having answers ready to questions you think you might be asked.  Most of all be yourself :D

You can do it Gina, go get 'em girl :D 

Lesley
Oops and there's more - find out as much as you can about the employer and consider why you want to work for them, for example, are they known to be a good employer, are they keen on developing their staff etc.  When they ask you why you applied you then have the opportunity to show your knowledge of them as well as why the actual job you are being interviewed for appeals.  I'll shut up now :D

As someone who interviews most interviewers would appreciate the following:

Someone who does not:

chew gum, slouch, look unkempt, look at the floor, "twiddle" with hair, jewellery, pen, end every sentence with a "you know, like, basically, you know what I mean," etc, smell either of BO or overpowering perfume, show a bare midriff or most of their chest,

Someone who does:

smile, is on time, is smart and well groomed, not wear too much makeup, have nice clean nails with no chipped polish.

A lot of interviewers will ask you what you think are your three best qualities and your three worst; it is worth thinking very carefully about these and what impression your answers will give

It is an old saw but true that you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Good luck

Too true.

Hi Gina

I work as a special needs teacher with a team of 5 Teaching assistants. If I was interviewing you this is what I would be looking for :

1. willingness to work as part of a close knit team.
2. flexibility in the range of jobs you might be asked to do - you could be asked to help with literacy/supervise playtimes/make a model dinosaur - the list is endlesss !
3. flexibility in the aproaches you might need to use with different children - what works with one will probably not work with another !
4. willingness to learn - you will probably be expected to go on courses etc
5. ability to use your own initiative when required - you will be able to add your own suggestions during many lessons/situations
6 A real interest in the needs of the children
7. Endless patience
8. A SENSE OF HUMOUR - you won't survive without one !!

Hope thats been useful - don't worry - if you've got dogs you're probably half way there !!

good luck and let us know how you get on.

Yvonne

Good luck Gina
I think there is quite a bit here to be going on with.... :)

Recent questions I have been asked are:
"Tell me of a situation where you had to deal with a problem and how did you handle it - what was the outcome"
"Give me three words for how your friends would describe you"
"Give me three words for how your work colleagues would describe you"
"your three worst faults" ( always turn these into pluses if you can)
"your three strong areas"
"where do you see yourself in three/five years time" 

and always have some questions ready for the end of the interview as they always ask "do you have any questions for me"

:D

thanks everyone i am really really nervous will let you all know how i got on tuesday nite

thanks again

georgina

Hi Gina! Good luck for Tues! I am a teaching assistant at present and was ask most of the questions put forward in the above posts. Was also asked: what is my understanding of equal opportunities? what would I do if a child confided that they were being abused? (sexually- under the child protection act you cannot keep this info to yourself and must pass on to line manager) (physically- I said that I would do nothing in the first instance except sympathise, as children can sometimes exaggerate, however if they had marks and I knew the child well enough to judge their credibility, then info would be passed on to appropriate person) We have to be very careful when dealing with such issues as lots of parents use physical means to disipline, but it doesn't mean to say they are going over the top, if we acted in every instance the courts would be full of normal good parents.
The best advice I can give is BE YOURSELF, think I got the job for my down to earth attitude, afterall one has to get on the same level as the kids for them to understand what you are trying to explain. A lot of my job is translating "teacher speak" into "kids speak" so they understand the task they have to do.

Gina I have worked with special needs for 30 years mostly with kids latterly adults. The main thing is be natural special needs caring is about being yourself and caring have a sense of humour and be prepared to work hard at your job you will love it. Always put yourself on the same level as the person you are caring for and you will understand them

Jean

hi everyone
just got back from interview at 10.00 i was really nervous but everything went great they asked me lots of questions luckily i knew what to say
hopefully i will know in a week wheather i got the job or not fingers crossed
thank you everyone for your help i really appreciate it

georgina

Fingers crossed for you Gina :D
GOOD LUCK :)
I think the waiting to hear is worse than the interview :)

Gina glad the interview went well. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good luck

Jean :-D

Fingers crossed here too Gina :)

Lesley

Hi Gina

It sounds promising !

good luck I'm keeping my fingers crossed !

Yvonne

hi everyone
i think i have some positive news about job

the brothers of charity where i had interview rang two of my referees and my college tutor today plus sent out a questionaire to them
does that sound like i have a chance

georgina

Hey, taking up references is a good sign :) Fingers crossed for you.

Absolutely Gina!!  You're in with a very good chance indeed!  Everything crossed here too :D

Lesley

Gina I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I work for the sisters of charity in Scotland
Good luck

Jean :-D

Wishing you lots of luck Gina :)

I will be watching for the "I Got It" Post :D :D

hi everyone
everyone i have talked to has said that it sounds good that i might get it oh i hope i do they will probably let me know some day next week fingers and paws crossed everyone and thank you for your kind words of encouragement

georgina