Faculty Interview Questions
Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Faculty interview questions and answers.
- What are your research interests, and how would you integrate them into your teaching and course development? See answer
- Are you familiar with our institution’s goals and mission statement? See answer
- Do you have a teaching philosophy? How would you apply it to our institution? See answer
- How will you assist a struggling student in your class? See answer
- Are you experienced with curriculum development? See answer
- What do you do to meet students’ expectations? See answer
- What is your approach for providing feedback to students on assignments? See answer
- How can your extracurricular interests and hobbies help our students? See answer
- Tell us about your preferred teaching methods. See answer
- What is the most essential aspect of the faculty role? See answer
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What are your research interests, and how would you integrate them into your teaching and course development?
This question can help you to learn if the candidate is passionate about their research. You can gain insight into the candidate’s research topics and understand how they can incorporate their expertise into their teaching.
What to look for in an answer:
- Research-oriented mindset
- Course development skills
- Knowledge of course development
Example:
I have an active research interest in environmental conservation, particularly in reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring a high quality life. I want to teach my students the importance of minimising our carbon footprint as it would impact our planet positively.
Are you familiar with our institution’s goals and mission statement?
An institution’s mission statement is a representation of its values. This question aims to assess if the candidate understands the importance of your institution’s mission and whether they can successfully align with the institution’s goals.
What to look for in an answer:
- Awareness of the institution’s goals
- Alignment with the mission statement
- Thorough research of the institution
Example:
I believe in the university’s mission statement, which states its commitment for providing quality education to all students. I am also aware of the university’s interest in preparing its graduates for the workforce as I have read about the recent plans to hire faculty members in STEM fields.
Do you have a teaching philosophy? How would you apply it to our institution?
An ideal faculty member would have a particularly curated style of teaching. This question helps you to learn more about the candidate’s teaching philosophy and their plans to incorporate it while working for your institution.
What to look for in an answer:
- Confidence and clarity
- Well-defined teaching methodology
- Student-oriented approach
Example:
I believe in creating a safe space for my students so that they can be actively involved in the learning process. So, I encourage students to engage in class discussions and ask questions without fear of judgement.
How will you assist a struggling student in your class?
An effective instructor always strives to guide their students towards academic excellence. However, this question evaluates a candidate’s ability to assist students who might struggle in class.
What to look for in an answer:
- Empathy towards the student’s challenges
- Flexible teaching style
- Helpful nature
Example:
In my previous role, I noticed a student struggling to understand the topics that I was teaching in the class. The student stopped coming to my classes and submitting his assignments on time. After having a heart-to-heart conversation about his performance, I decided to give the student some extra attention and met with him after class every day for a week. During these meetings, I was able to clear his conceptual doubts, and the student was able to pass the class by the end of the semester.
Are you experienced with curriculum development?
Faculty often have to develop their curriculum. This question will help you to assess if the candidate has the experience and skills to craft an effective curriculum.
What to look for in an answer:
- Understanding of students’ needs
- Alignment with the institution’s goals
- Relevant experience
Example:
In my previous role, I was responsible for creating the course material and assignments for my students, developing the syllabus, writing lecture notes, and coming up with tests and quizzes. I have also created online learning modules and other resources that students could access outside the class.
What do you do to meet students’ expectations?
Faculty members need to understand the expectations of their students and deliver it accordingly. This question evaluates the candidate’s ability to plan and deliver lectures that meet students’ expectations.
What to look for in an answer:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Awareness of students’ expectations
- Flexible and adaptable approach for lecture planning
Example:
I begin every semester by conducting a student survey to learn about my students’ expectations. Then I ideate and plan my research accordingly to best fulfil students’ expectations and academic needs.
What is your approach for providing feedback to students on assignments?
This question helps you to gain insight into the candidate’s process to evaluate students’ performance and provide feedback. The candidate should be able to provide constructive feedback to students and help them identify the areas where they need improvement.
What to look for in an answer:
- Effective communication
- Clear identification of students’ weaknesses
- Actionable strategies for improvement
Example:
I ensure that I meet a student if he is struggling to comprehend the concepts being taught in the class. Then, I help them to understand their weak academic and conceptual areas and provide actionable steps that can help remediate the issue.
How can your extracurricular interests and hobbies help our students?
It is important for your institution to have faculty with extracurricular interests to help students develop holistically. This question can help you to learn more about the candidate and if their interests align with your institution’s culture.
What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to lead extracurricular clubs and societies
- Well-rounded personality
- A good fit for the institution’s culture
Example:
I am an eager reader who loves to visit bookstores and libraries. I am also a trekking enthusiast who is into outdoor hiking and camping. Reading and trekking are great hobbies, and I would like to help my students nurture their interest in such activities.
Tell us about your preferred teaching methods.
This question lets you learn about the candidate’s teaching style and strategies. It is essential to learn about the candidate’s teaching methods and determine if they fit your institution.
What to look for in an answer:
- Clear teaching strategy
- Knowledge of different teaching methods
- Relevant experience
Example:
Active learning is a great way to teach students, enabling them to apply their learning to real-life situations. I am also fond of group projects as they bring students together and teach them the value of teamwork and develop their communication skills. In my last role, I utilised active learning and group projects to instruct and guide my students effectively.
What is the most essential aspect of the faculty role?
When hiring for the faculty role, it is vital to hire a candidate who understands the role’s responsibilities. This question helps you to evaluate whether the candidate’s idea of the faculty role aligns with your institution’s goals, values, and needs.
What to look for in an answer:
- A refined understanding of the role
- Cooperation with the institution’s goals and values
- Responsibility and accountability
Example:
In my experience, the faculty role is about inspiring students to become lifelong learners with developed critical skills which can help them to make better decisions in life. Students should feel that learning is fun and interesting. So, I strive to make my lessons more interactive and engaging for my students.
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