Interview Questions

The following list contains potential questions that you may be asked during a professional student affairs interview.

• What attracted you to our institution and/or position?
• Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?
• What are some of your long-range and short-range goals and objectives?
  • How have you prepared yourself to achieve them?
• What do you hope to accomplish personally and professionally in this position?
• Give an example of a successful theory-to-practice experience.
• Give an example of an unsuccessful theory-to-practice experience.
• What human/student development theories do you use in your daily professional life?
• Describe your ideal job.
• Define success.
• What is your approach/philosophy toward student discipline?
• What is your approach/philosophy toward programming?
• Can you give us some examples of programs/activities you have planned and/or presented?
• What are some of the challenges/issues facing new professionals?
• What is your management style?
• Have you had previous experience in supervising staff or other individuals?
  • What was their level of responsibility?
• How do you hold staff accountable for their responsibilities?
• How do you deal with conflict?
• How do you deal with ambiguity?
• What computer skills do you possess?
• Have you ever had to terminate an employee?
• How would you answer a charge that one of your actions was racist, sexist, or homophobic?
• What training and development experiences have you had?
• How will you help those you supervise pick and choose their battles?
• Describe a crisis situation that you’ve faced and how you handled it?
• What has been the most difficult decision that you’ve had to make?
• What is your style in dealing with conflict/confrontational situations?
• How do you prioritize your time and activities?
• Do you have any experience advising student groups or organizations?
• What do you see as the major challenges/issues facing students today?
• What experience have you had working with special populations of students?
• What do you feel are the special issues facing males/females/athletes/students of color/international students/gays/lesbians/bi-sexual students?
• What 2-3 things are most important to you in a job? Why?
• How would you deal with the transition of a staff that was supervised by your predecessor?
• What transition issues do you think you will face if you are offered and accept this position?
• What do you expect from a supervisor?
• Do you plan to take classes?
• What characteristics do you work best with?
• What characteristics frustrate you when working with another person?
• What did you enjoy most and least about your current/last position?
• Have you ever quit a job? Why?
• How/why did you select your college/university?
• Who are your role models?
• What do you consider as your greatest strengths? What are the areas in which you need improvement?
• What would your staff members list as your strengths?
• What is one of your proudest achievements or accomplishments?
• How do you respond when your opinion is in the minority?
• How would you explain a policy to your staff that you may not agree with in theory, yet must enforce?
• What do you do in your spare time? How do you deal with stress?
• Tell us about an article or book you’ve read recently which had an impact on you personally or professionally.
• What other positions have you held? How were they obtained? Why did you leave?
• What do you do to keep yourself motivated? How do you motivate others?
• What questions do you think we should ask that you didn’t get a chance to answer?
• What are four things I will remember about you after this interview?
• Why should we hire you?