Interview Questions
There are many common questions that are asked in most interviews. Many focus on your skills and personality, teaching, research, and career goals. A few of these are listed below.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why did you apply for this position?
- Why are you the best candidate for this position?
- How has your educational and work experiences prepared you for this position?
- What are your three biggest strengths? Your three biggest weaknesses?
- What has been your biggest challenge?
- Why did you choose your field of study?
- What things are most important to you in a job?
- What are your short-term goals? Long term goals?
- Tell me about your research/dissertation.
- Why did you choose your dissertation topic?
- What contribution does your dissertation make to the field?
- What are your research plans for the next (x) years?
- What facilities/travel/resources do you need for your research?
- What are your plans for securing funding to support your research?
- What characteristics do you think are important to be a good teacher?
- Are you a good teacher? Explain why and how.
- What is your teaching philosophy?
- How do you feel about teaching [names an introductory level course]?
- Do you have any new courses you'd like to develop?
- How would you instruct and guide undergraduate research?
- What are your other interests?
- How would you describe your ideal job? What type of institution do you prefer to work at?
- How do you feel about this institution/community? Do you think you could live in this small, rural town?
- What are your salary requirements?
Questions You Should be Asking
You should be asking questions during your interview, especially during those moments when an interviewer asks the inevitable, "Do you have any questions for us?" Prepare a few questions in advance. In general, take advantage of your opportunity to learn more about the position, campus, and environment, and ask questions that will help you determine if it will be a good "fit" for you should you receive an offer. Follow up on things you learn during your visit—about campus and departmental structure, service commitment of faculty, and any programs that you find particularly interesting. It is usually not a good idea to inquire about salary or benefits during an interview. It is also best to be evasive if someone asks you about your salary requirements. Wait until you have an offer, then begin the negotiation process.
A Few Sample Questions
- What does the department or campus do to orient new faculty members?
- Does the campus or department have formal faculty mentoring programs? Informal mentoring?
- How would you describe the culture of your department/college/campus?
- Why do you enjoy working here?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the campus and/or department?
- Are faculty evaluated annually? What is the evaluation process like here? How is promotion and tenure handled?
Illegal Questions
Certain interview questions are legally out-of-bounds, as defined by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is illegal (and inappropriate) for employers to consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin when making an employment decision. A few questions that you should not be asked include:
- Are you a U.S. citizen? (It is acceptable for an interviewer to ask if you are authorized to work in the U.S.).
- Where were you born? What is your native language?
- How old are you?
- Are you married? How many children do you have?
- Do you have any disabilities? (It is acceptable to ask if an applicant is able to perform the essential functions of the job).
That said, you may be asked illegal questions, particularly in social situations by well-meaning (but ignorant) interviewers. For example, during a campus visit lunch, a committee member might mention something about her children, then inquire if you also have children. When responding to such questions, assess the situation and do your best to understand the concern or reason for the question. Sometimes you may determine that you are comfortable answering the question. Other times, you may want to try to deflect the inquiry. In general, avoid responding with a combative tone.
It is acceptable to volunteer information that would be illegal for interviewers to ask.
References
Broughton, Walter, and William Conlogue. "What Search Committees Want." www.mla.org/resources/jil/jil_jobseekers/jil_jobseekers_pro.
Dantzig, Jonathan A. Landing an Academic Job: The Process and the Pitfalls, http://quattro.me.uiuc.edu/~jon/ACAJOB/index.html, University of Illinois, 1995.
Goldsmith, John A., John Komlos, and Penny Schine Gold. The Chicago Guide to Your Academic Career: A Portable Mentor for Scholars from Graduate School through Tenure. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001.
Heiberger, Mary Morris and Julia Miller Vick. The Academic Job Search Handbook, 3d ed. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001.
Sheehan, Eugene P., Teresa M. McDevitt, and Heather C. Ross. "Looking for a Job as a Psychology Professor? Factors Affecting Applicant Success." Teaching of Psychology 25.1 (1998): 8-11.