As you’re pursuing a principal career, you’ll need to prepare for interviews with school districts. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Principal Licensure preparation program helps you gain the leadership skills needed to become licensed and work in administrative roles. Here, we explore sample questions you may be asked during interviews, along with model responses, to help you improve your confidence and get prepared.
Key Takeaways
- During principal interviews, districts evaluate candidates on aspects like instructional leadership, school culture, and community engagement.
- Candidates may be asked about how they handle student conflicts, how they provide feedback to teachers, how they improve school performance, and more.
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an Ed.S. in Principal Licensure preparation program designed for experienced educators who want to work as principals.
What Do School Districts Evaluate in Principal Interviews?
During interviews with school districts, principal candidates are evaluated on several different aspects. This helps the hiring committee assess each candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and personality. Some facets that are evaluated include:
- Instructional leadership: Committees want to see that candidates value student growth, understand curriculum standards, and have strong leadership skills to deal with both staff and students.
- Culture: Hiring committees also look for candidates who can develop an inclusive and positive school culture. This may include visions for changing the current culture and techniques for doing so.
- Data: Candidates will be assessed on their ability to use data-driven practices to improve student performance.
- Community engagement: Districts want principals who can positively engage with staff, family members, and students. They may ask candidates how they would handle certain challenging situations.
Core Principal Interview Questions and Model Responses
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when they’re for administrative or leadership roles. As an educator, you may be unsure about the kinds of questions that will be asked in principal interviews or how to respond to them. The following sample questions and model responses can help you prepare and formulate your own answers when similar queries come up:
What Would Be Your Turnaround Plan for a Low-Performing School?
Principals must be able to demonstrate that they can effectively lead and improve student performance. A model response could be similar to:
“I would start by collecting data that gives insight into what can be improved. I would also meet with staff members, students, and family members to gauge the biggest concerns. Once those are identified, I would establish short-term goals, such as showcasing student work, repairing damaged items, and recognizing staff accomplishments, to help boost morale and confidence. I would then focus on longer-term goals, such as improving test scores, through professional development and staff realignment. I would use frequent data analysis to indicate whether the strategies are working, and make swift adjustments if the results aren’t up to par.”
How Have You Handled a Crisis with a Student in the Past?
This type of question helps assess the candidate’s ability to engage positively with students, staff, and families, even in challenging situations. A sample response could be:
“In my previous position as a guidance counselor, I had a student who got into an argument with another teacher. I first focused on de-escalating the situation by separating the student and the teacher. After talking with them both separately, I was able to understand both points of view and helped mediate a discussion between the two, which ultimately ended with both apologizing for how they acted. I also spoke with the student’s family to get insight into some family issues that were affecting their behavior. By having regular meetings with the student, I was able to build a rapport and help them through their problems before they resulted in more arguments or misbehavior.”
How Would You Provide Feedback to an Underperforming Teacher?
Principals need to be able to have discussions with staff members about their performance without placing blame or leading to more conflict. A sample answer to this type of question could be:
“When talking to the teacher, I would focus on constructive feedback backed by data. Rather than being general about their performance, I would give specific examples of what needs to be improved without placing blame. I would then offer ways to improve, such as working with a mentor or completing a continuing education course. I would also ask about their interpretation of their performance and schedule follow-up meetings to see how their performance is changing.”
How Do You Plan to Engage Students and Families?
Creating an engaged school community, including parents of students, is a necessity as a principal. A response to this question may look like:
“An engaged school community fosters a more positive experience for everyone. To engage students and their families, I would start by becoming a visible presence in their lives. This may include visiting classrooms regularly, talking with students in the halls, and inviting families into the school for special events. I would also use various communication methods, such as newsletters and social media posts, to create dialogue with the school community and encourage two-way communication.”
Prepare for Principal Licensure at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
By practicing for upcoming principal interviews and formulating your responses in advance, you have a better chance of success. Learn all the techniques and skills you need for a principal career with the online Ed.S. in Principal Licensure program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. To learn more about the program or interview preparation, request more information today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Principal Interviews
How should I follow up after an interview?
Within 24 to 48 hours of your interview, you should send a thank-you note or email that:
- Shows your appreciation for the interviewers’ consideration and time
- Reiterates your experience and interest in the role
- Expresses continued interest and asks about next steps.
Do I need to bring a portfolio to my interview?
Many aspiring principals choose to bring leadership portfolios to their interviews. These portfolios help demonstrate specific instances of leadership and highlight your professional growth and experience.
How can I answer principal interview questions if I have not worked as a principal before?
Use examples from roles such as teacher leader, instructional coach, dean, counselor, or assistant principal to show transferable leadership experience.
What mistakes should I avoid during a principal interview?
Avoid vague answers, criticizing past employers, speaking only in theory, or failing to connect your experience to student success and school improvement.
