Clinical Field Experience A: Recruiting and Interviewing
As an educational leader, one of your responsibilities will be recruiting and interviewing potential candidates for staffing positions throughout campus. There are several factors to consider and understand, such as who is involved and what legalities must be upheld. The ultimate goal is recruiting and hiring the best candidates, while always preserving the desired results of student achievement and campus safety.
Allocate at least 2 hours in the field to support this field experience.
If possible, participate in hiring tasks such as reviewing applications or observe hiring interviews with your principal mentor or others in your school or district.
Interview an administrator or other instructional leader at your school or a district human resources representative regarding the recruiting strategy and hiring processes currently in place at your school.
Questions will vary, depending on who you are interviewing; however, suggested questions include:
- What recruiting methods are used by the district and school to find teacher applicants? Non-teacher applicants?
- Who sits on your interview committees? Do you use the same interview team for all positions? Why or why not?
- Are there positions you would try to fill prior to others? Why or why not?
- What criteria do you use in making hiring decisions?
- What are examples of interview questions you use? Do you include any performance and behavior focused questions? Why or why not?
- What legalities do you consider when going through the hiring process?
Use any remaining field experience hours to assist the principal mentor and, provided permission, seek opportunities to observe and/or assist the principal mentor.
At the conclusion of the field experience, complete a 250-500 word reflection on your experience. Incorporate PSEL Standards 6 and 9 into your reflection and describe how you will apply what you have learned to your future professional practice.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
