Now that I’m out of college, I was both excited and nervous about my CUNY (City University of New York) interview. Since this is one of the biggest public university systems in the country, getting a job here seemed like a great way to start my career in higher education. But I knew there would be a lot of competition and that I needed to do my best to get ready for the interviews.
After doing extensive research online and tapping into my own campus recruiting experience, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide on acing your CUNY job interview. In this article, we’ll cover:
- An overview of CUNY’s hiring process
- The most common CUNY interview questions with example answers
- Tips and strategies to help you prepare
Whether you’re interviewing for an administrative, faculty, or staff role, these insights will help you stand out as a top candidate. Let’s dive in!
What to Expect in the CUNY Interview Process
The CUNY interview process is thorough, often involving multiple rounds such as:
- Initial phone screening
- In-person interviews (one-on-one and panel style)
- Skills assessments or writing samples
From start to finish the process can take several weeks or even months. It’s important to be patient and properly prepared each step of the way.
In early rounds, expect more behavioral-style questions about your background, skills, and experience. As you advance, be ready for scenario-based, technical, or role-specific questions to evaluate your capabilities.
Interviewers are always looking for people who will fit in well with CUNY’s diverse community and commitment to making education available to everyone. They want to see your passion for the institution’s mission.
13 Most Common CUNY Interview Questions and Answers
Let’s now dive into some of the most frequently asked CUNY interview questions along with tips on how to craft winning responses:
1. Why are you interested in working at CUNY?
This is often the very first question asked. Essentially, the interviewer wants to gauge your passion for CUNY’s mission and how well your goals align with the position.
Example response: I’m excited by CUNY’s reputation as a leading public university system committed to delivering an excellent and affordable education. Having attended [CUNY College] myself as a first-generation college student, I experienced firsthand the transformative power of CUNY’s academics and diverse community. I’m passionate about increasing access to higher education and would love to contribute to supporting current and future generations of students in reaching their full potential. This role perfectly aligns with my strengths in XYZ and long-term career goals in higher education.
2. What do you know about our department/college?
This is where they check to see if you’ve done enough research on the college or department you’re applying to. Demonstrate this knowledge while highlighting your fit.
Example response: From my research, I understand that the College of Education at Hunter College aims to develop exceptional teachers and education professionals through rigorous, innovative academic programs. In particular, I’m impressed by the Education Leadership program and the college’s ranking as having one of the top graduate education programs in the nation. My background and skills in XYZ make me well-suited to contribute to the department’s commitment to shaping the next generation of transformative educators and leaders.
3. How does your experience make you a strong candidate for this role?
This is your chance to connect the dots between your background and the position’s requirements. Focus on the most relevant skills and accomplishments.
Example response: Through my three years of experience as an administrative coordinator at XYZ University, I’ve built a strong foundation in student services and administrative tasks that make me an excellent fit for this role. In particular, I’m highly experienced in managing student records and accounts receivable systems, planning large campus events from conception to execution, and supervising new office staff – all key aspects of the administrative coordinator position here. Given my familiarity with university systems and passion for helping students, I’m confident I can excel in this role and become an asset to the department.
4. How would you handle an angry or upset student?
For student-facing roles, expect scenarios about navigating challenging student interactions. Show empathy while confidently outlining your approach.
Example response: Dealing with upset students requires empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution skills. I would start by letting the student voice their concerns and frustrations without interruption. From there, I would apologize for their experience, express understanding of the situation, and work collaboratively to brainstorm solutions or compromises when appropriate. If policies prevent certain resolutions, I explain these reasons while ensuring the student feels heard and providing alternative options when possible. My goal is that by the end of the interaction, the student feels their concerns were addressed, while adhering to university protocols.
5. Tell me about a time you successfully collaborated with a team.
Collaboration is key at CUNY, so expect questions testing your teamwork skills. Pick an example highlighting your unique contributions.
Example response: As part of a recent Public Health capstone course, I worked on an interdisciplinary team of six students to develop a health education workshop for teenagers. The team had differing skillsets, from research to presentation development to marketing. I utilized my strengths in project management to create a shared task list and calendar, facilitating seamless collaboration. During planning, I led brainstorming sessions to bring our ideas together into a cohesive workshop. I also regularly checked in with each member to provide support as needed, ensuring we synergized our work. Our team ended up successfully executing the workshop to rave reviews from our instructor and teen participants.
6. How would you incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into your work?
CUNY prioritizes DEI efforts, so they want to know you share this commitment. Share examples of how you’ve promoted these values in past roles.
Example response: Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion has been a key priority throughout my career. As a residential advisor, I planned educational programs on cultural awareness and advised our Hall Council on creating inclusive programming. I also ensured equitable workloads between myself and co-workers to prevent burnout, especially for those balancing additional responsibilities related to their identities. In this role, I would continue seeking out training and learning opportunities related to DEI, actively listening when students share experiences of exclusion, and using an equity lens when reviewing policies or cohorts to ensure they promote fairness and representation.
7. Describe your teaching style and philosophy.
For faculty roles, interviewers want to understand your approach to educating students. Share methods that tie back to CUNY’s public education mission.
Example response: My teaching philosophy centers around creating an engaging, empowering classroom that makes education accessible and impactful for all students. To accomplish this, I use a mix of lectures, Socratic questioning, discussions, and experiential learning. I provide individual support through office hours and detailed feedback, helping each student grow. Recognizing diverse learning styles, I present information in multiple formats like visuals, readings, and podcasts. My ultimate goal is that students not only gain core knowledge but also build critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills to thrive beyond the classroom.
8. How do you stay current in your field?
Demonstrating passion for continuous learning is key for faculty roles. Share the resources and strategies you use to stay updated.
Example response: Staying current in my field involves actively engaging with the latest research through journal articles, books, conferences, and webinars. I maintain memberships in several key industry organizations which provide access to publications and events. At conferences, I make an effort to attend sessions outside my immediate subfield to expand my knowledge across disciplines. I also leverage social media by following thought leaders and fellow researchers in my field. Finally, I regularly meet with my own mentors – experienced educators who provide invaluable perspective on the latest breakthroughs and innovations in our industry. Together, these efforts allow me to provide cutting-edge instruction informed by the latest theories and best practices.
9. How would you contribute to our university community outside of your direct department?
CUNY wants team players who will engage in the broader college community. Share examples of campus involvement or the initiatives you would champion.
Example response: In addition to my core departmental responsibilities, I’m passionate about contributing to the wider student and university community. I would be eager to volunteer for student-led organizations, committees focused on sustainability, and campus events that bring our community together. Having helped organize a popular TEDx conference at my undergraduate institution, I’m especially interested in spearheading similar enrichment programs here. I’m also excited to mentor students outside my field of study who may be navigating the college experience for the first time and help guide them toward success.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Show stable career plans aligned with the role and gaining new skills.
Example response: In the next 5 years, I see myself continuing to develop as a skilled and valued member of the CUNY community. I’m excited by the mentorship and professional development opportunities here that can expand my capabilities in areas like XYZ. As I build deeper expertise within the CUNY system and higher education field, I hope to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles within the college an
Prepare for the interview in advance
- Find out about the company on their website, social media, and in recent publications. Match your skills (see Explore Your Interests) to the job. Set up a practice interview with a career counselor. Print out several copies of your resume after having a career counselor look it over (see Develop a Career Toolkit). If it applies to your field, make a portfolio.
- Remember to smile, shake hands firmly, and introduce yourself. Take a deep breath and remember everything you’ve studied and practiced. Use details from your resume to show why you’re a good fit. Ask well-thought-out questions, take notes, and ask for business cards and next steps before you leave.
- Within 24 hours, send a well-thought-out thank-you email (PDF). Think about both the good and bad parts of your interview.
Why Did You Choose This University? BEST ANSWER to this University Admissions Interview Question!
FAQ
Does CUNY do interviews?
How long does it take to get hired by Cuny?
How to answer why should we hire you?
What is the star method when interviewing?
What was the interview process like at CUNY?
I interviewed at CUNY (City University of New York) in Mar 2022 Very bureaucratic administration at CUNY made for a very slow interview process even by being hired internally. There were two rounds of interviews, one with HR and one with hiring manager. There was a four month gap between those two interviews.
Who can apply for an internship at CUNY?
Internships are designed for CUNY undergrads who have had no prior paid internship experience. Our applications for the Neighborhood Mobilization Industry Hub are open until March 17th! Applications for all other Industry Hubs have closed. We will be reviewing submissions and inviting applicants to interview over the coming weeks.
Why do students choose the City University of New York?
Every year, thousands of students choose The City University of New York for a multitude of reasons that can be summed up as one: opportunity. Affordable and high-quality CUNY degrees and certificates help our students land the jobs of their dreams – or help them get that promotion to take their career to the next level.
Why should you choose CUNY?
Affordable and high-quality CUNY degrees and certificates help our students land the jobs of their dreams – or help them get that promotion to take their career to the next level. With over 1,750 programs across 25 colleges, whatever you’re looking for, CUNY’s got you. Apply now:
