As a current teacher and recent grad (around a year ago), here's my 2 cents.
Volunteer / work experience really does matter. No, being a peer tutor in high school likely won't help you all that much. They really look for current or recent experience volunteering or working with kids. Working at a summer camp, +. Volunteering at after school basketball, +.
For the interview, questions vary widely. I remember questions about experience working with kids, what I'd do with a problem student, what I would change about the school system, my background in the area for which I had applied, etc. Have confidence, as much knowledge about your current school system and curriculum as possible, and don't forget that you're applying to LEARN HOW TO TEACH KIDS. It all comes back to that.
I'm in BC, so my experience with getting work is likely very different than in ONT. I was hired to substitute teach almost immediately after graduation. I've been subbing for around 7 school months. Sometimes it's very part time, others it's closer to full time. Getting full time work in a major area is extremely difficult as everyone wants to live here (I was born here, want to die here, so am getting cranky with others moving here and having seniority over me). If you're willing to move to less than ideal locations, you can work right away, and this applies across the country.
Working as a substitute isn't for the faint of heart. You generally work at the whim of others, and get treated like garbage in most situations (remember what you did to subs, then multiply it by 10X). I have some sublime days, and quite a few where I seriously consider quitting. It takes heart to hold on for a full time position.
Your subject area does also matter - a person with Math, Science, and French would likely be employed within a few months. English or Social Studies... not so much.
Good luck!
Volunteer / work experience really does matter. No, being a peer tutor in high school likely won't help you all that much. They really look for current or recent experience volunteering or working with kids. Working at a summer camp, +. Volunteering at after school basketball, +.
For the interview, questions vary widely. I remember questions about experience working with kids, what I'd do with a problem student, what I would change about the school system, my background in the area for which I had applied, etc. Have confidence, as much knowledge about your current school system and curriculum as possible, and don't forget that you're applying to LEARN HOW TO TEACH KIDS. It all comes back to that.
I'm in BC, so my experience with getting work is likely very different than in ONT. I was hired to substitute teach almost immediately after graduation. I've been subbing for around 7 school months. Sometimes it's very part time, others it's closer to full time. Getting full time work in a major area is extremely difficult as everyone wants to live here (I was born here, want to die here, so am getting cranky with others moving here and having seniority over me). If you're willing to move to less than ideal locations, you can work right away, and this applies across the country.
Working as a substitute isn't for the faint of heart. You generally work at the whim of others, and get treated like garbage in most situations (remember what you did to subs, then multiply it by 10X). I have some sublime days, and quite a few where I seriously consider quitting. It takes heart to hold on for a full time position.
Your subject area does also matter - a person with Math, Science, and French would likely be employed within a few months. English or Social Studies... not so much.
Good luck!