These job interview questions and answers will help you prepare for the education job interview. As you know, the unknown fear is one of the greatest causes of not receiving a teaching job offer after an education job interview.
Besides being well-groomed and punctual, you need to be mentally prepared for any job interview question. Take job interview preparation seriously, keep in mind, it can either secure a job offer or remove you from the shortlist of candidates.
When you know what will probably be asked during the interview, you will be more confident and give the right answers. Not thinking through the kind of questions that are going to be asked will only leave you vulnerable.
Do not be fooled by how simple some of the questions may seem – the reality is – even the simplest questions may carry a lot of weight in the final recruiting decision.
Questions to Expect at a College Professor Job Interview
Tell Us About Yourself
This question catches many people off guard, given that it is open-ended. One may respond that is contrary to what is expected and give too much or too little information.
While answering this question, you should give prominence to your most important achievements and most significant skills. It should be short and clear. Back it up with facts and examples. There is no harm in finding out whether they need you to provide more detail if they think your response was too short. But be cautious not to give irrelevant information that has nothing to do with a college professor’s career.
Why Should We Have You in Our Institution?
The best answer you could give to this question is: because you are the best. Of course, just that statement alone will not be adequate. It is always more appealing to recruiters for you to recognize other candidates’ abilities but then go on to insist you have additional qualities to make you more suitable for the job. Give some examples to back up your credentials.
What Are Your Long-term Goals?
While answering this question, you should consider your main objectives in life and give an example of what you are currently doing to achieve them. Invoke the college or university in the articulation of your goals.
Talk about the steps you will take to become an effective professor at the institution. Including the particular institution in your long-term goals shows you have your career in mind and the institution.
Was the Education You Completed Relevant to Your Career?
This question might seem difficult, but it is straightforward. It basically requires you to connect the various courses and activities you took back in school to your abilities as a professor or instructor.
For instance, did you gain hands-on experience? Did you ever hold a leadership position while at the campus? Backing up your description with examples and illustrations is always advisable in all answers you give as well.
What is Your Weakness?
At first glance, this question is very tricky. Remember, the interviewer wants to dig up a possible conflict to hiring you. Never make the mistake of giving your strength as your weakness because it misses the point. For instance, I’m too hard-working, or I’m a perfectionist. This is a bit of a cop-out, and interviewers will see right through it.
Don’t want to give an example that could hurt your job performance. For instance, saying you are never on time. Instead, give a weakness you can provide a resolution to. For example, you should say that your weakness is failing to keep dates, but you have since dealt with it by walking with a pocket diary.
Can you think of any other questions that would be beneficial to fellow job seekers? Learn how to close an interview to put yourself in the driver’s seat. Comment and share below! Take a look at these links for help as well as reaching out to Candace directly.
