Welcome to the communities Brian!

I can't offer any specific advice, but from my own experience as a mature college student doing my qualifications I can say that the majority of staff had no teaching experience at all. In fact one was so appalling I made a number of complaints until the lecturer was removed from the course. (Read from an essay they'd submitted on a degree course, full of technical jargon which no one in the class could/would understand/not allowed to ask questions until their lectures were over etc.)

We even got a lecture from a professor of learning/teaching, on teaching methods where they spent the majority of the hour lecturing us on how poor lecturing was as a method of teaching/learning.

So I wouldn't worry too much about having no teaching experience. I'm sure someone will be along with a better answer than mine!!!!

In reply to David Perry:

Thanks David for sharing your thoughts. There is something certainly to think about.

Brian

Its also probably worth doing a little research on what training programs or additional qualifications you could look to get (while employed by them) so you are ready with a "As you can see I have no direct lecturing experience but I believe with some mentoring from a more experienced colleague and over time perhaps doing the X teaching Adults qualification" etc

More than that they will be looking for a real enthusiasm for your subject, the credibility to stand up in front of adults and lecture and someone they can get along with

Good luck

In reply to Keith:

But he could add to that:-

"As you can see I have no direct lecturing experience.... but friends tell me I'm a bore when I speak", Should put him on a level footing with many of the other college tutors/lecturers etc., ;-) (Sorry Brian I couldn't help that one!!)

In reply to Keith:

Hi Keith, thank you for your advice.
I am just after receiving another e-mail that the interview format is competency based.
I am not 100 % sure how competency based interview format will fit for a lecturer. As I understand such interviewees look for specific examples. Now I did a placement with a council where I coordinated and delivered training programmes. Perhaps I could use some examples on planning and organisational skills during my placement year. My other work experience is all in customer services.

In reply to BRIAN ANTHONY:

They have seen your CV so know what your experience is - they cant be expecting you to have lecturing experience so I would just focus on where you can demonstrate the same sort of experiences elsewhere.

Hi Brian

You've said, "The only experience I have is through my placement year where I was responsible for delivering and coordinating training programmes."  To me, that is teaching experience.  As you have delivered training, the communication skills you used would be the same.  The coordination skills would be the same (timetabling, ensuring the material fills the duration of the lecture, etc).  

As part of the competency interview, I would expect to get questions about communication skills, organisational skills and skills around dealing with difficult questions/people.  

Best of luck for the interview!

Owen

In reply to Owen:

Hi Brian - whilst you have your masters in HR qualification, you will also be required to have a "teaching qualification" (ie) PGCE or DTLLS. This qualification will enable you to teach HR modules on the CIPD programme or other business/hr units at the college.

In reply to Owen:

Thanks Owen for your input on this

In reply to Lorraine:

Hi Lorraine, Yes I did mention on my application that I am willing to take teaching qualification if successful. It was one of the their desireable criteria.

Hi Brian,

I am a Business Lecturer in an FE college. Questions you may be asked at interview could include what you know about the different business courses they offer and the topics & levels you feel able to deliver on; your knowledge of safeguarding & PREVENT; techniques you might use to deliver content to learners & how you might use your professional experience in your lessons; examples of your planning & organising skills e.g. to meet deadlines for exams/coursework & manage a syllabus. You could also be asked about your customer handling experience & how your might deal with difficult learners, and how you could motivate learners and help them manage their time & meet deadlines, etc.

You could be asked to deliver a short lesson on a particular topic (but you would be advised about this before the interview). You would be required to complete a teaching qualification within a specified timeframe.

Also agree with Keith, that aside from teaching experience they will generally be looking for someone looking with real enthusiasm for their subject, and the credibility to stand up in front of adults and lecture and someone who would fit into the department.

Good luck with the interview.

In reply to Adrienne O'Hara:

Hi Adrienne, thank you for the interview questions tips. Knowledge of safeguarding & preventing is something I need to do research on. As this post is based in Northern Ireland I will have to look specific procedures in NI rather than the whole UK.

So I didn't get the job but I wanted to share my experience. I arrived 20 mins before the interview and reported at the reception. Surprisingly, the receptionist didn't even know that interview is taking place. But eventually I was directed where the interview is taking place. When I reached there I see students were sitting outside the interview room on the seating area and therefore I had to stand and wait.
Upon careful observation I noticed that the college library was on my right so perhaps students were waiting for it to be open. So I didn't mind but felt its very unprofessional with the interview process.

So finally the HR came out of the room and took me inside, introduced to me with all the panel members. I stood there probably for about 30 seconds before I was offered a seat.

So the interview process began with the HR (probably chairing) explaining how many questions will be asked however, no housekeeping information was given i.e. availability of water, approx how long the interview will last, if the room was warm I could take my coat off etc etc.

But anyways the following questions were asked :

1. How my qualification prepared me to be a lecturer ?
2. (a) Can you explain advantage and disadvantage of e-learning? (b)Your experience in delivering classroom lecturer via e-learning.
3. In your opinion what businesses needs to be aware of in forecasting and making decision to meet their goal and objectives.
4. In your opinion what business needs to concentrate on and why to be successful?
5. Can you give us an example an improvement that you suggested in delivering classroom lecturers.

I am not to sure how some of the questions are related to a lecturer but I did my best to answer every question based on my experience and the work that I have done.

Bit disappointed but reflecting on it one of the gentlemen who was interviewing was not even making notes and kept on looking @ me. But hey everything is not lost. I am continuing my search in HR and have another interview for an administrator and I would like to thank everyone who have given me the tips for the lecturer interview.

Thanks
Brian

In reply to BRIAN ANTHONY:

Brian

A bit of friendly advice - you may need to toughen up a bit. Whilst not perfect the situation in your first few (4) paragraphs is certainly not unique in interviews particularly in public spaces. I wouldn't see anything odd in most of that.

Not sure I would take note of someone looking at me in an interview either :-)

As to some of the questions I can see where some of them are going and whilst they are clumsy they again are unlikely to be unique in terms of the types of questions you get asked. They do give you a great opportunity to control the interview given their style and vagueness. You can take that opportunity !

Keith