O.K. Few of us can knit a robot. Regrettably few of us know what to do with knitting needles. Even those of us who can knit robots will probably never be able to make a Robbie of our own. Oops. Straying off topic…

Back on topic: So you have an interview. Yay! This post will be short.

Your first priority should be to scour that district website. Did District #42 start a knitting club recently? That’s a bridge for you if you can knit. What else are they doing in #42 that you would have loved to do when you were 13 years old? Has Snape School instituted a new afterschool reading program? Mention that program and tell the interviewer you would love to volunteer to help with afternoon reading activities. Add details. Tell the interviewer about the article you just finished on Pre-K language learning and introductory phonics.

If you know anyone who works in #42, you should ask that person about their favorite parts of the district, as well as their least-favorite parts. Ideally you might even be able to find out about an interviewer or two. The Principal owns horses? Do you have a possible bridge there? Other questions: What are the kids like? Has the district been changing in the recent past? Why is this new position open? Some of these questions are not good interview questions — asking about school populations or people who left can be problematic — but if you can find out this information informally, you will be better able to sound knowledgeable in your interview.

Research. Research. Research. Without being nosy or demanding, find out as much as you can before the interview begins. You want to find those connections, those bridges between yourself and interviewers. The more connections you can make, the better the fit you will appear to be.

Good luck!