Episode
129. What Principals Really Want You to Know About Hiring, Interviews, and Getting the Job
- Published
- Apr 9, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3021
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://kindergarten-cafe.captivate.fm
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Summary
If you are applying for a new teaching job, hoping to switch schools, changing grade levels, or trying to land your very first classroom position, this episode is packed with the kind of advice you usually only hear behind closed doors. I am joined by not one, but two elementary principals, Jake and Rob, for an honest conversation about what really matters in the hiring process. From getting the interview to standing out once you’re in the room. They talk through what principals notice right away, what makes a candidate memorable, and how teachers can better prepare for interviews, demo lessons, and even internal grade-level changes. There is also a lot of reassurance here for anyone feeling discouraged by rejections or overwhelmed by the process. In this episode, we discuss: how to talk to your principal if you want to change grade levels within your school what helps candidates land an interview, including resume details, cover letters, and reaching out directly why getting your foot in the door through subbing, paraprofessional work, or long-term positions can make a huge difference what principals are really looking for in an interview beyond the buzzwords how personality, authenticity, preparation, and school culture all factor into hiring decisions the kinds of questions candidates should be ready to answer, especially around collaboration, differentiation, and family communication what questions you should ask in an interview to make sure the school is the right fit for you tips for demo lessons, including how to prepare, what administrators are watching for, and why student engagement matters most This episode is packed! Jake and Rob also share some of the biggest red flags in interviews, the value of thank-you emails, and why schools are not just hiring a teac…