Interviewing

I recently interview this women who most likely would not have gotten the job if she were interviewed by anyone else. She was a black woman, she wore her sasss on her sleeve and her intelligence on her headband. She was bold, I could tell and I liked it. She knew what she wanted, this role. She had done her research. Her godson attended one of our schools and her friend worked as a dean at my school. She even knew me. It wasn’t until the end of the interview that I knew I would hire her. “Do you have any questions for me?” I asked as I did with all of my interviews. With her I was not surprised, but I was impressed. She told me she knew of my story, she knew of my journey through leadership and asked if I had any advice for her. It was a that moment I knew that whether she got the job or not she was going places; she knew what she wanted and that’s half the battle as a candidate and as an interviewer. School Leaders,noticing the soft skills that a person brings to their work is important for a leader to recognize. Technical skills can be developed. Curriculum unpacking can happen on the job. The professional learning communities can be built. But the ambition and drive are hard to shape and mold in a person post college. When we see that we must embrace it, value it and make the hire. Comment below if you have had any experince interviewwing or being interviewed, and can relate.