In a previous article, Val Andrew explored how to craft a compelling job application. In this follow-up piece, she shifts focus to the next critical stage in the recruitment process – preparing effectively for the interview and presenting yourself confidently

Preparing and researching ahead of the interview

Information is power – so expand elements of the research done as preparation for your application. Find out more about the school and ask to visit, if that’s possible. A visit gives you an advance “feel” for the school and its people and can immediately help you identify if this is the right environment for you. Instincts and first impressions are an important part of this.

Read the latest Ofsted report to understand where the school’s challenges are and how the SBM role supports an improvement strategy. Review the school’s website – find out what the school’s vision, values and objectives are. Is there a staffing structure/ governance structure on the website? Social media more widely is also a useful source of information to help you build a picture of the school you are looking to join.

Know the Data and Benchmarks

It’s essential to check out the financial data available online using the gov.uk/benchmarking site. Accessible financial data will be historic, but it provides lots of insights into the financial situation and where there might be pressures linked to excessive expenditure in specific budget categories. Remember if you are currently working in a maintained setting and are applying to an academy you need to know the differences involved with financial management and reporting requirements. Study the Academy Trust Handbook. If you are moving the opposite way from an academy into a maintained setting, then make sure you are familiar with the Schools Financial Value Standard and the relationship the school has with its LA.

Skills and Competencies

Finally, recheck the person specification and look to align your own skills and competencies with the qualities listed as both essential and desired. The person specification will be a key piece of information on which the interview questions are based. Where the person spec requires specific skills, then you need to be able to cite situations/examples that will demonstrate how you have applied those skills, what the outcomes were and how this relates to the role of the SBM. It’s also important to revisit your application form and be able to pick up aspects of that which you can expand on during an interview. Think along the lines of what have you done, what actions were required, what skills did you deploy, what did you achieve overall and what was the impact of this. Relating impact directly or indirectly back to aspects of the SBM role and wherever possible on the educational achievements of the students is important.

The Interview Day

Interview days tend to follow varied patterns depending on the scope and strategic nature of the role, so be prepared for the day to consist of a range of different activities. These activities can include formal and informal interviews, desktop/in tray exercises, panel sessions with staff/students, and/or a more formal task that could require you to put together a presentation.

In terms of preparing for: –

Desktop exercises – these usually focus on the analysis of financial information/data so your homework on the financial situation of the school is imperative here. In trays tend to be about prioritisation/problem solving. Use your common sense and think about the safety and security of students and staff. You will be asked to explain your responses.

Informal panels/interviews – these are difficult to prep for and bear in mind there will probably be an observer watching your performance. Be yourself and consider your response i.e. take your time. What impression do you want to give them about yourself?

Formal interviews – this is the school’s opportunity to probe further on aspects of your application and your experience to date, they want to test your skills and competencies and understand more about your values and behaviours. Be able to talk about specific experiences/situations that showcase your skills, especially the ones that are essential on the person spec. Remember, be able to relate experiences and impact. They are testing your capacity to be able to do the job, how you would approach difficult situations – i.e. problem solve, where your strengths and weaknesses are and potentially your career aspirations.

In summary then, at the interview, remember the cliché that information is power but also be yourself and be honest. Be sure to have some of your own questions to ask and approach the day not with the mindset that this is a “Line of Duty” style interrogation, rather it’s your “Britain’s Got Talent” opportunity (thanks to Lesley Burton for this brilliant quote!)

Good luck!