Most international school interviews happen online now. It's quicker for the school, more convenient for you, and it means you could be sitting at your kitchen table in Cape Town while a principal in Dubai decides whether you're the right person for their team. The technology has changed. The stakes have not.
We've watched teachers approach online interviews with a casualness they would never bring to an in-person meeting — and lose positions they were genuinely right for. We don't want that to happen to you. So here is what we'd tell our own child before they logged on.
Dress the part. All of it.
Research consistently shows that people who dress professionally for interviews — even virtual ones, even at home — perform better. They speak more formally, they project more confidence, they are more precise with their language. The clothing does something psychological that you cannot replicate in a tracksuit.
Dress as you would for a face-to-face interview with a principal. Not just the top half. All of it. The discipline of dressing properly puts you in the right mental state. And yes — check yourself from multiple angles before you begin. The camera sees things you might not notice.
Know your background.
What is visible behind you when you sit down? A busy bookshelf is fine. A pile of laundry is not. A blank wall can feel cold. A window with strong backlight will make your face dark. Spend five minutes setting up your environment so that it is clean, professional, and flattering. Then test it on a video call with someone you trust before the actual interview.
The interviewer is reading everything they can see. Make sure what they see supports you — not undermines you.
Keep food and drinks out of sight.
A glass of water on the desk is acceptable — and only water, not coffee or tea. Reaching for a drink after every answer signals nervousness or disengagement. If the interview is long and you genuinely need a sip, acknowledge it briefly and keep it minimal. Food should never be visible in an interview setting, online or otherwise.
One chance. The same as always.
The distance of a screen doesn't soften the impression you make. Principals at international schools interview many candidates. What they remember — the warmth, the sharpness, the presence — comes through a screen just as clearly as it does in a room. Show up with the same intention you would bring to the most important in-person meeting of your career. Because it is.
Test your internet connection and camera the day before. Check your audio — poor sound quality is more disruptive than poor video. Have your CV and any relevant documents open and accessible. Know the name of the person interviewing you and something about the school. Arrive — at your device — two minutes early.
— The Eduplace Family