Tips for a Great School Counseling Interview

I want to preface this blog post by apologizing for taking so long to write another entry. This summer has been BUSY to say the least! I finished out the school year at Syms, like a sponge soaking up every possible experience I could. As per usual it was brutal saying goodbye. However, termination activities and gifts will have to be for another post.

After my time at Syms ended, I was lucky enough to begin a paid position with Portsmouth Public Schools’ Upward Bound Summer Program. This summer I will spend Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm as a camp counselor for 10th-12 graders. I act as mentor, friend, tutor, confidant, food server, and body wrangler to 40 amazing teenagers. I act as mentor to approximately 7 of them and they keep me young and frustrated.

During this time, I began the process of hunting for jobs. Each day I’d apply to 2-3 jobs, and then when that was done, I’d apply to 5 more. Hampton, Newport News, James City County, Gloucester, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake. When weeks passed and I didn’t hear anything….I opened the search even further! Henrico, Richmond, Goochland, Matthews County, and even some parts of North Carolina. FINALLY…I got an interview with Suffolk Public Schools for a full-time position at an elementary school. I’m gonna be honest here…I thought I had that interview in the bag. Did I get that job? NO.

Then, a miracle happened and I got a call from a Hampton City Schools’ school…an elementary school. I went to the interview and things went downright swimmingly! It is part-time, but even at part-time this position makes a ton more than I ever did working Admissions and I get to be off at 1:30 pm! Who couldn’t love that? PLUS, I get two delightful months off each year where I can be fanned with pond fronds and eat bonbons J

So, guys. GUYS- I AM OFFICIALLY UNDER CONTRACT AT ARMSTRONG FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN HAMPTON!

Now that I have secured a job, I’d like to offer all you struggling future counselors some tips for a great school counseling interview. While 2-3 interviews obviously does not make me an expert, I may be more in the know than someone who has not gone to one at all. Right? Right.

1. Be sure to choose an outfit that is not only professional, but defines who you are.

Here’s the thing, blazers, slacks, and business suits are all great and fab….but what does that say about you? The goal is to ALWAYS dress like the job you WANT. Well, I want to be an elementary school counselor- so that’s exactly what I dressed like. I decided to go with a Lularoe Amelia dress, a polka dot cap sleeved blazer, a black leather band wrist watch, and a pair of flats. Picture case in point.

Nothing screams elementary school counselor like Lularoe. Both interviews I went on the interviewer commented on how nice, fun, yet professional I looked. Not only that, but these dresses are AMAZING on the clock too. As an elementary counselor you want to make sure whatever you’re wearing will stay child-appropriate when you’re crawling on floors, under tables, or having to restrain an unruly child. They’re long enough that you don’t have to worry about showing the world your good china, but short enough that they don’t look frumpy either.

2. Make sure you print multiple copies of your resume for the interview!

Okay, so you applied to the district and HR probably sent them your resume. Who cares? You’re prepared. That way if they have a rough morning and didn’t have time to hit print, you can still have the information available for them. So printing out one copy is great, but printing out a copy for EACH person at the interview is GOLDEN.

On both interviews I attended the principal and the AP were present. If possible, when called about setting up an interview, ask them how many people will be at the interview. After all, some districts do hire and interview by panel. It always looks great to be prepared and have that tangible information in front of them. They will definitely appreciate it!

3. BE CHARMING AND ENTHUSIASTIC DURING YOUR INTERVIEW. YES THIS HAD TO BE SHOUTED….WITH ENTHUSIASM!

The morning of my interview with HCS was rough. I currently do not have a car of my own, so I have to actually borrow a car from one of two roommates each day. Usually this extra step in my day can be overwhelming, but it is even more overwhelming when you have an interview at 7:45 am before your 9:00 am shift across the water. I woke up at 6 am, was out the door 10 before 7, hit up Starbucks (cause I’m human and I NEED IT), dropped off the boyfriend at work in Newport News, and then FLY to my interview in Hampton by 7:45.

Did this stress me out? HECK YES! DID it make me stupid nauseated and panicky?! SO MUCH YES! Did the coffee go south on me and make me JITTERY?!? HECK TO THE YES. But guess what? I walked into the interview poised, enthusiastic, and extremely ready to give the principal and AP an idea of my capabilities. Give yourself a pep talk (GET IT TOGETHER BOJO), listen to your favorite motivational song loudly (I WAS LIGHTENING BEFORE THE THUNDER!!!), or when all else fails, call your mama and have her help calm you down. I did all three and I ain’t ashamed.

4. Be prepared to discuss certain important topics during your interview!

Obviously the interview will involve more than just a list of your accomplishments and job experiences. It is extremely important that you are ready to discuss your experience and knowledge of some fairly important subjects.

After sorta agonizingly pouring over my interviews, I’ve come up with a list for y’all. Be prepared to discuss the following in detail:

• How your past experience will help you be a good school counselor for that school.

• Level of experience with testing and assessment.

• Questions regarding your priorities in and outside of the school.

• How you plan to support teachers attain SOL goals.

• Reporting abuse or suicide.

• Scenarios and how you would react in a specific case.

• How have you/ how do you plan to support disadvantaged students at your school?

If you have these questions in mind you will be so very ready to rock that interview. You’ll have their eyebrows up in their hairlines and giant smiles on their faces!

5. Create a School Counseling Program Proposal tailor made for that school!

Ms. Lewis my first site supervisor gave me a lot of great advice during my time with her. However, one of the best pieces of advice she gave me was to create a school counseling program proposal using the Virginia Department of Education profile on your school. Look at the information: their test scores, socioeconomic and ethnic makeup, disciplinary concerns, and accreditation information. Then you will have all the facts needed to make an awesome proposal for your interview. So far it has impressed every interviewer I’ve been in contact with.

Mission Statement of School Counseling at the school: I would suggest blending the mission statement of the school, as well as your own views on school counseling to get the job done.

Vision Statement of School Counseling Program: This should include your views on the purpose and role of school counseling. Be sure to review ASCA’s recommendation on school counseling programs.

Objective of Proposal: This should be used to a) secure employment with the district of your choice as a school counselor, and b) provide a snapshot of program proposal for Administration to further understand your abilities and skill sets.

Data Trends: Once you’ve researched the data trends at that specific school, place your observations here. I used bullet format for easy reading.

Program Services Proposal Plan: This will be the meatiest portion of your proposal and should include a concise description of the services, programs, and ideas you have to offer the school. Be sure to keep the data trends in mind while you make this plan. For example, if there are no disadvantaged children from lower SES’ at your school, then you wouldn’t outline a food bag or angel tree program.

• Individual Counseling Services: I cannot convey how important this portion of your work is. You will do it a lot. With kids, parents, heck, even with teachers and administration when they need a sounding board. In this section you should include the following: ASCA’s recommendations for individual school counseling (i.e. advisement, crisis intervention, etc.), format of how you plan to do individual counseling sessions, plan for students who need intensive, critical therapies that go beyond the scope of a school counselor either within the school system (ahem, TDT) or outside services, and availability to getting students from class when they’re crying, upset, angry, or the teacher needs a break.

• Small Group Counseling: If you’re in an elementary school it is probably you and only you. Numero uno. Sometimes for the sake of time and sanity it is necessary to combine like problems through small group counseling services. In this section you should include the groups you think would be helpful for that school environment. Examples could include: deployment, absent parents, anxiety, social skills and self-esteem, or even a “mean girls” group. Talk about how you plan to learn which students will need these services, and discuss the format these groups would work best in.

• Monthly Classroom Guidance Lessons: Okay, so this may vary depending on level of school. In elementary school it would be monthly, in middle school it may be once a semester, in high school, you may NEVER do classroom guidance. Alas, I felt it was important to have a comprehensive list of my plans. I included the following in this section: How I planned for it to be scheduled- Google Doc where teachers can sign up for a date/time that works for them, themes assigned to months and some ideas for lessons. Some theme ideas include: role of school counselor, red ribbon week, mindfulness, forming positive relationships, appreciating differences of others, kindness, career awareness, test-taking skills, and goal setting.

• Full School Programming: Here you will complete a brief overview of the full-school programming ideas you have. I would suggest putting them in calendar order for easy reading and planning. Year round ideas? Red Ribbon Week? Angel Tree? Kindness Challenge? College and career fair? SOL spirit week? Place ideas in bullet form for quick and simple skimming.

• Community Outreach Programming: Collaboration is SO important in school counseling. It is imperative to use the programs and resources available to you in your neighborhood. Support these programs and they WILL support you. Write your ideas here! Food bag programs, Mentorship clubs, external referrals for outside services, and partnerships with non-profits that can assist your students.

As I said previously in my post, I’m no expert. I do hope this post served to teach you something you didn’t know, or get the wheel moving in your brain hamster wheel to rock your next school counseling interview. You’re going to do great! You’re going to do fab! I believe in you!

Until next time, happy job hunting future school counselors!