Human Resource Professionals’ Perceptions of Music Teacher Candidate Performance on Prescreening Interview Instruments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate human resources (HR) professionals’ perceptions of music teacher job candidate performance on prescreening interviews in five Midwestern school districts. Specifically, I explored how HR professionals viewed music teacher job candidate performance in relation to specific facets of the interviews as well as to other candidates. The primary data sources were interviews with HR professionals in charge of hiring new teachers. Participants perceived that prescreening interview instruments revealed differences between primary (grades K–6) and secondary (grades 7–12) licensure areas. Music teacher candidates’ responses appeared to mirror those of secondary candidates; they had difficulty exercising empathy and discussing individual student growth, and instead focused on policies and exhibited a program director mindset. Finally, participants exercised agency to personalize prescreening interview instruments depending on licensure type and applicant pool.