Lecturer Interview

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!!!!

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

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!!)

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.

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

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.

Thanks Owen for your input on this

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.