- What can you tell me about yourself?
- What interests you about this position?
- What qualities make you an effective lecturer?
- What interests do you have outside your work?
- What is one skill you’re currently improving?
- What do you know about our department?
- How would your past faculty describe you?
Being a teacher might be one of the most fulfilling careers in the world landing your first job as a teacher can be hectic. It’s up to you as a teacher to instill vital skills in your students and give them a bright future.
Interviewing for Academic Faculty Positions
In-depth questions
Your responses to in-depth interview questions can offer insight into your teaching methods and involvement with the department. Consider preparing yourself to answer questions that resemble the following:
Tell me about a time you implemented feedback from your students.
Higher education institutions often allow students to evaluate the courses they enrolled in and the teaching styles of their professors. Faculty members receive feedback and can determine how they can improve their classes. Show the hiring committee that youre receptive to constructive criticism and prioritize your students opinions by adjusting the format of your courses.
Example: “I taught an online course one semester, and I delivered assignments on an asynchronous schedule so students had the freedom to complete tasks when they saw fit. I learned from the course evaluations that the students preferred a synchronous schedule because it made it easier for them to ask questions in real time and collaborate with their classmates since everyone was working at the same pace. From the following semester to the present, I week with my students as a group in a virtual conference call when introducing new topics.”
Questions about experience and background
The interviewer may pose questions that encourage you to elaborate on the employment history, education and skills you highlighted in your resume and teaching portfolio. Heres a list of possible questions:
Here they want you to talk about your past admin experience if you have any, and to show your enthusiasm for this side of things! Fake it if you have to. Pretending that you are desperate to become the new admissions officer will help you to get the job if that’s what they are looking for. If you have experience of running your own courses, managing an entire programme, or doing a specific administrative task then mention that. If you can, give an example of a contribution or innovation that you instituted in that role. If you are at the very start of your career then simply show even more enthusiasm and emphasise the transferable skills that are vital in these roles, i.e. being efficient, well-organised and a good communicator.
This question is obviously asking you to look forward to the future, so drawing up one year, five year and ten year research plans is helpful before going into an interview. (If you are completing a PhD and looking for your first job this might sound a little excessive, but believe me, it will make you stand out and be taken seriously). They will not just want to hear about the topics you wish to cover but will crucially be interested in two other areas: research funding and your output (i.e. publications). As well as telling them about your exciting projects, tell them how you’re going to pay for them (which grants you will apply for) and what published benefits there will be in concrete terms. Aim high at this point; you don’t want to sell yourself short. You can write that monograph or get an article into a world-renowned journal. The scope of your ambition will help to sell you as the ideal candidate here, so don’t worry about sounding arrogant.
You want to seem keen and flexible and show that you are happy to fit in with the department’s teaching requirements but they also want to hear about new courses that you would like to offer. In order to answer this question, you need to look at the department’s current undergraduate curriculum. That way you can be sure the courses you have invented will fit in with what they offer now. So if the department already has a course on Nazi Germany, do not propose to offer a new one. You have to be careful here: do not let your creativity run away with you. If you do get the job, your new colleagues might say ‘I loved that course you proposed in your interview, can you run it next year?’
This question is not requesting that you attack the character of your fellow candidates or compare yourself negatively to them. It is short-hand for ‘why should we hire you?’ or ‘why are you special?’ Again think about the person specification and make sure you know what sort of academic they are looking for. Tailor your own responses to that as much as possible. Make sure you give examples from your own history to support your assertions. So, for example, if it is an up and coming department looking for a high-flying researcher to boost their reputation, emphasise your role in this. If there is anything you do that makes you stand out, for example a skill or area of experience, mention that here too.
Good answer: ‘in the next year I will be finishing up the revisions on my manuscript for x book which is due for publication on x date. I have several other projects on the go that I wish to pursue after that [give details]; if my funding applications to the x and y grant bodies are successful I should be able to see those projects to publication by [give date].’
What are the Roles of the Lecturer?
The interviewer is attempting to gauge your understanding of the field. If you’ve ever worked in this sector before, you’ll be familiar with the many jobs. That is what the interviewer is looking for.
Sample Answer
“Lecturers are subject matter experts who create, develop, and deliver content through a variety of ways and platforms. They develop course materials, instructional content, and curriculum, as well as perform research and fieldwork, interact with students, aid with application processes, and attend conferences, seminars, and workshops.”
Why are You Interested in This Role?
This is arguably the most often asked teacher question; therefore whoever is questioning you has most likely heard every story in a book… Providing the conventional response of “because I enjoy assisting others in their learning” will not work here. You would like to deliver an honest, emotional response that demonstrates why you chose this field.
Sample Answer
“When I was in class ten, I was having trouble with my Math class. My teacher began to pay special attention to me, I recall. I was depressed at first and thought I would flunk this course. But, thanks to my Math teacher’s extra attention and effort, I began to excel and passed the subject with flying colors. From there on, I decided to become a teacher in the future and help other kids.”
FAQ
What questions will I be asked on faculty interview?
- Describe your teaching style.
- Describe your teaching philosophy.
- What technology applications have you utilized in the classroom?
- How do you engage students, particularly in a course for non-majors?
- Share your ideas about professional development.
What are the 10 most common teacher interview questions and answers?
- What would my goals be for the first year?
- What’s the average classroom size?
- What’s the school’s culture like?
- Do you have an active PTA?
- What are the other teachers like?
- How is the interaction between the school and the parents?
How do you introduce yourself in a faculty interview?
- Start with a smile on your face & give details about Name, Place after greeting.
- If necessary only add your family details.
- Tell about your educational details.
- Share about why you want to do JOB so.
- About your Project in Brief.
- The person who inspired you a lot.
How do you interview for a faculty position?
- Most universities use a search committee. …
- The pool of applicants is ranked. …
- Interviews are completed. …
- Professional presentation. …
- Learn about each department where you plan to interview. …
- Prepare a research presentation. …
- Prepare answers to questions you may be asked.
