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General Knowledge

Can you give us an overview of how an academic department functions in the University?
What is your commitment to and understanding of Affirmative Action as it relates to students, staff, faculty and recruitment?What about retention, staff development or promotion?
Describe the type of relationship you think should exist between staff and students on this campus.

Administration

How do you make sure that your employees are accountable?
What do you typically do when you hear of a problem in your area?
How useful have you found written procedures and guidelines in helping you manage your area?
Do you believe that the chain of command is important? Why? When do you think it might inhibit organizational effectiveness?

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Communication

How would you define effective communication? What skills do you have that make you a good communicator?
How do you choose which medium/media to use to reach your various audiences? What are the strengths and weaknesses associated with each medium?
What are some of the strategies you have used to communicate technical information to a wide variety of people with differing levels of expertise?
How often in your professional experience have you encountered conflict between yourself and the subject of your story? Describe one such example.

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Ability to Learn

Give an example of a situation at your previous employer when you have had to keep up with changes in technology, terminology,and information specific to your field?
How quickly have you learned new processes for a job?What did you have to learn?
How soon could you learn this job well enough to become productive?
If time did not permit a training period on a new job, how would you go about learning the things expected or required of you?
Give three examples of your adaptability.
Describe the most recent formal learning experience you’ve had.
What are your long-term professional goals? How do the duties and responsibilities in this position relate to that goal?
What do you consider to be important attributes of a supervisor?
What kind of supervisor do you enjoy working for most? Least?

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Overall Job Performance

How do you typically handle yourself in a fast-paced environment?
How would you describe your work pace: fast,moderate, slow, or if it varies and under what circumstances?
What are your strengths? Why?
What are your weaknesses? Why?
How do you handle a heavy workload with many deadlines?
In all jobs there are heavy periods and light periods. What do you do in such cases?
You are given several rush projects to be completed in a short period of time. How would you establish priorities? Why?
How would you describe your organizational abilities?
How would you describe your attendance and punctuality habits?How would you describe your work habits?How would you describe your own performance standards?

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There are several pages of questions. Because each position is unique, these questions may or may not suit your specific needs. You might begin sorting out the questions by choosing only categories pertinent to a particular job/position. You may need to adapt or rephrase the questions to the specifics of your position.

The questions are divided into the following categories:

- Previous Job Experience & Performance
- Expectations for This Job
- Management Attitudes
- Decision Making; Problem Solving; Analytical Skills
- Interpersonal Communication Skills; Dealing with Conflict

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Here are some specific examples of appropriate questions to ask during a job interview:

Job Performance

* How do you normally handle yourself in a pressured and fast-paced environment?
* What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why?
* How do you describe your work and organizational habits?

Creativity/Initiative/Innovation

* What are some ideas that you have contributed to your previous work?
* What have you done to make your job easier and more interesting?
* Describe an example of how you exercised innovation in your work.

Ability to Learn

* Do you easily adapt to changes in your work? Give examples how you are able to cope with it.
* Are you willing to have ongoing training as part of your job?
* Are you a fast learner or a slow learner? Give examples to support this.

Interviewers for job openings should be well-trained on the questions that they should ask. This is critical in evaluating applicants for the job. Since each position is unique, the questions have to be picked out to apply to a specific position. Choose from within these categories:

Previous work experience
Expectations for the possible job offer
Attitude as an employee
Decision making skills
Communication skills
Conflict resolution skills
Motivation/Goal orientation
Ability to learn
Cooperation
Dependability
Flexibility
Financial management
Honesty
Teamwork attitude
Technical skills
Initiative or Creativity
Planning/Oversight
Leadership qualities

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At the end of any interview, most often than not, you will be asked if you have any questions regarding anything pertaining to your interview. The common answer to this is obviously… “No, I think everything was covered”. Surprisingly, this should NOT be the answer.

Some rules to remember:

• Ask questions. Find out as much as you can what you are going in to.
• Formulate questions that are relevant to your job or anything pertaining to the interview.

The types of questions you ask will be determined by the conversation and types of questions asked of you during the interview. You should be aware of the interviewer’s body language to know how many questions to ask, relaxed and willing to talk? or in a hurry and running late? Lastly, make sure your questions are quick and straight to the point, it gives them the impression of your serious interest with the company.

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Employers are looking for people who will solve their problems. You have to present your case accordingly.

How?

By answering these questions and including the answers in your resume:

What kind of problems did you solve on the job?

How did the company benefit from your performance?

How did you do the job differently and better than the person before you did?

Did you introduce a new program or system?

If yes, what were the results of it? (Be specific regarding the results.)

What were you most proud of in your job?

What would your supervisor and your co-workers say they would miss most about you when you leave?

How did you make a difference in your job?

How did you affect the company’s bottom line?

Did you save money for the company? How much?

Did you earn money for the company? How much?

Good luck to you! Go get them!

Interpersonal Communication Skills/Dealing with Conflict

Tell me about a job experience when you had to speak up in order to be sure that others knew what you thought or felt.
Describe how you would endeavor to convince your boss to grant you additional funds for a purpose you have-in-mind.
Describe some projects you worked on that required strong writing skills. What was the level of your responsibility? Who was the primary audience?
How would you characterize your written and oral communication-skills?
What do you require from a supervisor?
Would you rather work on a team or on your own?
Describe what a “team” environment means to you.
What experience have you had working as a member of a team? What are theadvantages?

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