What to expect from a child care job interview

Getting the call to schedule a job interview for a role you applied for is exciting and means a big opportunity is in front of you. It’s no surprise then that so many people feel anxious and nervous at the thought of it. Knowing what to expect from your child care job interview can help you stay cool and calm.

While each employer can approach a child care job interview differently, there are usually a few standard things you can expect and prepare for.

Expect to answer many questions                                                        

It goes without saying that you will have to answer many questions and talk about yourself throughout the course of your child care job interview. Practice makes perfect, so plan some answers to common questions. Here are just a few you might encounter:

Tell us about yourself

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

How have you or how would you resolve a conflict in the workplace?

What do you like about working in child care?

What do you think is needed for effective pedagogy?

Tell us about your image of the child

Why are you the best person for this job?

Ask some questions too

Your interviewer/s may ask if you have any questions towards the end of the interview. It’s always good to ask a few, plus it’s an opportunity to learn more about the role and company. Here are some you might like to ask:

Which room would the role be in?

Is there a uniform?

Does the roster change across the week/month/term?

You might do a walk through

Many child care centre interviews will include a walkthrough of the centre. Make sure you are dressed comfortably and appropriately to make your way through a centre. As you’re touring, feel free to say hello to a child if the opportunity arises and introduce yourself. This will show that you are comfortable and confident with children.

Take copies of relevant documents

It is efficient and professional to have everything your potential employer would need to see right there with you. This could be a copy of your qualifications, First Aid certificate, any working Visa, Working With Children card or anything else relevant.

You may not hear back right away

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back right away. There may be several more interviews to get through. It’s a great idea however to send a follow up a day or two after your child care job interview to thank them for their time.

You won’t always be the right fit (but the right position is around the corner)

There are so many centres and each has a unique approach and preferences for their team. You won’t always be the perfect person for the job, and sometimes it can take a few interviews before you land the job that is right for you. You also don’t need to feel obliged to accept a role if you didn’t feel it was a good fit for you.

Head into your child care job interview with the confidence that your training at Selmar means you’re career-ready! If you need some extra advice and support as a Selmar graduate, get in touch with us and we’ll guide you through it.