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Have you ever been lost for words when thinking of questions to ask at the end of an interview**? Being invited to ask questions after the interview can be your last chance to really sell yourself to the employer.
Don’t underestimate how important this stage of the interview is; it can make or break your chances of landing a teaching assistant job.
By being well prepared and formulating 4 or 5 well-thought-out queries, you can avoid an awkward silence and finish the interview on a positive note.
This article will share 10 questions to consider, which can be modified slightly to suit the teaching assistant job on offer.
10 Questions to Ask at the End of a TA Interview:
1. Does your school encourage the teaching assistant staff to undergo further training?
This is a fantastic way to show the interviewer that you are pro-active and committed to the industry and the teaching assistant role. Career development and skill enhancement should be the main focus, and highlight any areas that you are particularly interested in.
2. What is the management structure of the teaching team?
When it comes to questions to ask at an interview, this would have to be one of the best. By asking about the management structure of the school, you are showing an interest in the chain of command, and who you would be reporting to each day.
Take care to remember key names during the answer, and use these names during the remainder of the interview when necessary.
3. What systems are in place to deal with student discipline?
Student discipline and classroom management are a big part of a teaching assistant’s job, and every school has different systems in place to deal with problem students.
By asking this question, you show the interviewer that you take this aspect of the job seriously and care about the procedures in place.
4. What is the most important part of a teaching assistant role at this school?
This is an excellent question to find out a bit more about how the school operates, and also provide an opening to promote yourself again.
If the interviewer speaks about reading support for children with learning difficulties or Special Education Needs, you could mention your experience or interest in this area of teaching support.
5. What are the main things the school wishes to improve, and how would I be able to help?
This deals with broader school goals and how your role fits in. It also sends a strong message to your interviewer that you are keen to be a team player right from the outset.
6. How will my performance be assessed and reviewed?
This question shows you understand that certain outcomes will be expected, which in turn flags up your commitment and sense of responsibility, and demonstrates you have already thought about the implications of the post.
7. How would you describe the school ethos?
This type of question indicates you wish to know what kind of social climate the school seeks to promote.
Once again, it also demonstrates you can look at your role holistically and see how it might contribute to how the school is perceived in the wider community.
8. What are the main challenges the school faces?
To pose a question like this, you need to have done some research. In addition, your question will show your interviewer you are interested in the broader picture too.
9. May I tell you a little more about my interest in [your job relevant interest]?
This will gain you an opportunity to add a little more about one of your key strengths - especially useful if you can show how this would be an asset.
10. Do you think that I would be a suitable teaching assistant for your school?
Don’t be afraid to finish with a hard-hitting question such as this. It’s best to leave this one till the very last because this is one of the better questions to ask at the end of an interview.
It shows that you are serious about the job and gives you a very important opportunity to respond to any concerns the interviewer may have.
If they reply that you seem a good candidate, but lack experience in a certain area, you can turn it around and focus on other areas that are your strong points. This is the last interaction you may have with the interviewer, so put extra effort into selling your experience and skills during this stage.
Just as important as the list of questions to ask is the list of questions to avoid. Don’t make inquiries about the pay rate or benefits; this information should have already been shared with you through the job advertisement or job application package.
Avoid asking about job promotion because this will show the employer that you consider the teaching assistant job to be a mere stepping-stone on your career path.
Conclusion
The interviewer will be looking for a reliable and dedicated employee who will be an asset to the school, so pay attention to promoting yourself as this kind of person.
Before you tackle your next teaching assistant job application, mentally prepare a couple of strong questions to ask at the end of the interview and finish the process on a positive note.