WISCONSIN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION WSPA Student Session "You're hired! Tips to a Successful First Year as a School Psychologist Student Session C. Neddenriep 2015 S P R I N G C O N V E N T I O N ; Stevens Point, W I
Panelists Michelle Boyer, School Psychology Intern Delavan-Darien School District Marci Walker, School Psychology Intern CESA 10 Ron McPhail, School Psychologist Amanda Myers, School Psychologist School District of Crandon Madison Metropolitan School District Sara Soleymani-Alizadeh, School Psychologist Milwaukee Public Schools 2
I. Planning for Your Internship Year A. Question: How did you prepare to enter the job market? 1. Update resume 2. Work on cover letters 3. Ask for letters of recommendation 4. Apply for the Initial Educator License 5. Evaluate your skills, training, strengths, weaknesses, areas of needed development, etc. 6. Organize/Practice 2-minute opening (e.g., Tell us a little about yourself...) 7. Practice responses to anticipated questions B. Question: Who did you ask to write letters of recommendation for you? 1. Generally ask 1-2 professors, the ones who know you best, have observed you working with children and teachers, AND can write you a strong letter 2. Ask practicum supervisor(s) II. Finding an Internship A. Question: What strategies did you use to find an internship? Which were most effective? 1. WECAN 2. WSPA job fair 3. School district websites 4. Wisconsin.gov jobs website 5. WSPA Website 6. NASP/Communiqué 7. Ask supervisors, current interns, and other school psychologists about upcoming opportunities that they may be aware of. 8. Attend WSPA and NASP to network. B. Question: What things might an applicant want to consider in choosing to apply to various districts? 1. Location 2. Rural vs. urban vs. suburban 3. Role of the school psychologist within the district 4. Size of the district 5. Number of schools served 6. Age/grade level of assignment 7. Current initiatives (e.g., RtI, positive behavioral supports, etc.) 3
C. Question: When are jobs typically posted? D. Question: What were some of the challenges you encountered when applying for internships/jobs? E. Question: What do you wish you had known when you were applying for internships? III. The Interview: A. Question: What are your general tips for a successful interview? 1. Dress professionally 2. Research the district before the interview 3. Be prepared to describe your skills, strengths, and weaknesses 4. Anticipate questions (e.g., philosophy of working with children, how you handled a difficult situation, describe a difficult case, etc.). You may also be given a case scenario. 5. Make eye contact with all interviewers and smile. 6. Be prepared to tell them enthusiastically why you want to work in their district. 7. Let them know why they should hire you over others. 8. Integrate examples of your experiences within your responses. 9. Refer to your experience at rather than saying in my practicum site 10. Ask for a minute to consider your response to a question before responding. 11. Have a list of questions prepared to ask of them. B. Question: When you think of a successful interview that you had, what contributed to your success? 4
C. Question: What are employers looking for in the candidates they interview? D. Question: What questions should I be prepared to answer? (See potential interview questions at the end of this handout.) E. Question: What can I do to make myself stand out from other applicants? F. Question: What types of experiences should I be sure to highlight in the interview? G. Question: What kind of reports should I include in an interview portfolio? H. Question: What are some questions you asked of the employer (or wished you would have asked) at the interview? (See potential questions to ask employer at the end of this handout.) IV. Accepting an Offer A. Question: What considerations should enter into my decision making with regard to an offer of employment? 1. Salary 2. Mentor/supervisory support 3. Professional development opportunities 4. Other supports 5. Benefits 6. How long do I have to consider the offer before I need to communicate a decision? Don t be afraid to ask for more time if you need it within reason. You may say, I need some time to consider your generous offer with my family. Would it be acceptable to you for me to contact you within a week? 5
B. Question: What contributed to your success on the job as an intern? V. Additional Questions: A. What did you feel unprepared to do when you started your internship? B. What were you most surprised about during your internship? C. How have you overcome teacher resistance to changes in education (RtI)? D. When did you feel confident in your position as a school psychologist? 6
Potential Interview Questions 1. What aspects of this position are most attractive to you? 2. What do you personally see as the most challenging aspects of this position? 3. What skills do you have (both personally and professionally) that would contribute to our school district? 4. Why should we hire you over other equally qualified candidates? 5. What strategies/techniques are you familiar with to assist a student who has difficulty reading? Writing? Completing math problems? 6. Describe your approach to consultation. 7. How would you handle a parent request for testing that you believe is unnecessary or inappropriate? 8. With what kind of student do you like to work the most? 9. With what kind of student do you like to work the least? 10. Think about a problem you experienced during practicum. How did you resolve it? 11. Describe your role with regard to assessment of mental health. 12. Describe your role with regard to curriculum development. 13. Our teachers are expressing reservations about the RtI process. How do you view the role of the school psychologist within an RtI model? How would you explain your role to staff? 14. How do you view your role as a counselor? How would you negotiate your role with the counselors in your buildings? 15. Describe your experience working with diverse cultural groups. 7
Potential Questions to Ask at the Interview of Employers 1. What opportunities are there to participate in professional development activities? 2. What is the typical number of schools (or students) served by each psychologist? 3. Describe the working relationship among school psychologists in the district. 4. How are the school psychologists typically viewed in the school? 5. What resources are available to support my work (e.g., staff, computers, office)? What allowances are provided for supplies and materials? 6. What are some of the initiatives the district is working toward? 7. What advancement opportunities are available to me as a school psychologist? 8. What would a typical day look like in your district as a school psychologist? 9. What are the opportunities for future growth in this community and its schools? 10. How are parents involved in your school? 8