Principal Interview Questions and Answers Series

Successful principals clearly understand the issues relating to the curriculum and the current educational philosophies and beliefs. Read through for some Principal Interview Questions and Answers Series.

Employing a Principal typically involves a small army of people. The hiring committee decides the essential requirements based on existing needs and with state and district goals in mind.

The same committee oversees the hiring process. Candidates for the position of Principal at a school interview with the committee first, then return for one-on-one interviews or an interview with the core administrative team.

There is no role at a school with more pressure and more visibility than the Principal. These interviews are critical for evaluating soft skills as rigorously as hard skills.

Yes, you’ll be looking at their prior effectiveness in improving student outcomes. As you prepare for your initial school principal interview, consider what type of questions they will ask you.

Principal Interview Questions and Answers Series

By preparing and practicing answers to common questions, you can project confidence and make a great first impression in your interview.

Here, we discuss an effective way to frame your responses, review some questions frequently posed at principal interviews, and explore some example answers.

1. What’s Your Philosophy on Discipline?

Answer: Balance being a pushover and being too authoritarian. It’s important to hear the student — or teacher — out before coming to any decisions.

I make it a policy to listen to both sides. If punishment is warranted, I try to come up with one that’s constructive and will help the student grow, such as writing a letter of apology for disrupting a class.

2. What Professional Development Activities Have You Undertaken Recently?

Answer: Research has shown that effective principals derive much of their professional development from community partnerships and colleagues.

Demonstrate how your professional development activities have addressed the personal areas you identified as needing improvement or strengthening. How have these activities allowed you to perform your job more effectively?

3. How Do You Motivate and Encourage Staff?

Answer: Highlight the steps you take to create a climate in which people want to perform to the best of their ability. How do you assess an individual’s strengths and develop them?

Highlight the mechanisms you put in place to support staff through collaboration and inclusion.

4. How Do You Set About Building Good Relationships With Staff and Parents?

Answer: The ability to build constructive relationships is key to success in this role. How do you establish trust and confidence? All these actions contribute to successful relationships: sharing relevant information, setting a clear direction, etc.

5. What Roles Should Parent Play in the School?

Answer: Discuss your vision of positive parental contribution and how you have facilitated and promoted this through implementing school initiatives.

6. How Have You Resolved a Conflict Between Adults on Campus?

Answer: A question like this seeks to understand your notion of equality and your ability to positively resolve conflict. Your answer could include faculty, staff, parents, or visitors.

As a leader, it is crucial to listen to all parties and seek common ground. When that isn’t possible, you indicate that you have the skills to make tough decisions and guide people even when they disagree.

7. Can You Describe Your Definition of Quality Instruction?

Answer: The principal is the learning leader of a school, and although the role has changed significantly over the years, they coined the position to describe the “principal teacher” within a campus.

This broad and open-ended question addresses the principal’s role as a learning leader and seeks to understand your teaching approach and preferred educational practices.

8. How Do You Deal With Difficult Students?

Answer: Be careful with your language and acknowledge that the student may deal with outside issues and circumstances. The first step would be to meet with the students to see where they’re coming from.

A lot of the time, the difficulties they present may be because of outside circumstances. If warranted, I would involve the parents.

CSN Team.