Things to Consider When Scheduling an On-Campus Interview

Congratulations! You have just been invited to do an on-campus interview! It is official; you are one of the institution’s top candidates. Here are a few things to consider when you are scheduling your on-campus interview.

Can I honestly see myself working for this institution? Hopefully, you asked yourself this question before applying for the position. Now that you have been invited for an on-campus interview, really think about what it would mean for you to take the position. Will you enjoy the location, are your values truly in line with the mission and vision of the institution and the department, what will you need to do to relocate, or what is absolutely necessary for you with regards to benefits of the position?

What is the cost to me? Will the institution be paying for your travel expenses, hotel, and meals? If so, will they pay for them up front or reimburse you? Be aware that some institutions will expect that if you are offered the position and do not accept, you will pay back a portion of your expenses to the institution. (This is another really good reason to be sure that you are interested in the institution.)

When will I receive my itinerary? An itinerary of your visit is an essential piece that will help you to prepare for the variety of interview and dining experiences you will have. If an itinerary is not mentioned by the search committee member that you are contact with, don’t hesitate to ask! Look for my next post that will present you with suggestions on how to prepare for an on-campus interview.

When should I schedule the on-campus interview? This requires an assessment of your availability as well as the dates the institution is holding on-campus interviews. Be sure that you are available the day before and after for travel. If you have had other on-campus interviews prior to this one, consider their time frame for filling the position. Will you have enough time in between interviews to give each institution fair consideration? Consider if there is a possibility that you may be offered a position prior to going on a scheduled on-campus interview. What will your plan be?

Amy Moreno-Kieffer
Co-Editor
Student Affairs Job Hunting Blog

The Situational Interview

Each institution has their own way of interviewing potential candidates prior to inviting them for an on-campus interview. An example involves explaining how you would respond to specific situations that you might encounter in the position. Your future colleagues often create the situations, which can be telling of issues that commonly occur in that department. The committee may send you the situations in advance, so that you have time develop a clear action plan. Here are a couple of tips for preparing for your situational interview:

• Give yourself plenty of time to process each situation
• Talk with your classmates and cohort members about the situations
• Ask your supervisor to discuss the situations and your ideas for responding to each
• Create an outline to respond to each question within the scenario
• Consider the values and mission of the institution and department when responding
• Research department or institution policies that may impact the actions you take
• Finally, practice your answers aloud to ensure that you are concise and to the point

Amy Moreno-Kieffer
Co-Editor
Student Affairs Job Hunting Blog

Tips to Be Successful at a Placement Exchange

On the last night of a recent placement exchange, I sat down with my colleagues (Taren Reker and Rolando Chacon, Iowa State University) and we all brainstormed tips that helped make our experience successful. The following ideas served the three of us well, so I wanted to share our thoughts.

• Use plastic page protectors and a binder: For each interview include the mission, vision, Job description, highlights of your experiences that will be applicable, Institution Lingo, questions for the interview, and any materials received from them
  
• Have a page of inspiration to look at if you need a boost
  
• Write Thank-you’s as soon as possible after the interview. Choose a couple specific ideas that the interviewer mentioned that really made you excited about the position. Be ready for employers to ask for electronic thank-you’s as a way of promoting sustainability.
  
• Do not compare your conference experience to others; every individual has their own fit.
  
• Talk with other candidates. It will make you feel at ease, and you will meet a lot of people in the field. Employers can get a sense of what you are like outside of the interview if they happen to see how you are interacting with other candidates.
  
• If you are able to, attend with someone you know. You can really help each other understand the process. It is comforting to see familiar faces, and have an outlet to talk about your experiences afterwards.
  
• Take mental breaks. Go for a quick walk outside during your off time. A change of scenery can be refreshing.
  
• Arrive to your interview waiting area early.
  
• Bring snacks to eat throughout the day.
  
• You will get a lot of information about each institution, as well as small gifts. Have a bag to store everything throughout the day.

Finally, recognize that you will be a stronger interviewer after this experience. It may be challenging or even overwhelming at times, but remember to be yourself. Pay attention to institutions that you felt a connection with, and those that may not be the best fit. Best wishes on a successful placement exchange!

Amy Moreno-Kieffer
Co-Editor
Student Affairs Job Hunting Blog

WORDS TO AVOID SAYING….

WORDS TO AVOID SAYING….DURING A JOB INTERVIEW

Thanks to Susan Hyde-Wick, Career Counselor, at the Waterbury Campus of the University of Connecticut for passing this helpful information along via Paul Powers, “answer man” for job seekers at Monster.com, and author of Winning Job Interviews. Powers says the following words should be avoided during the job interview. Using them could end up eliminating you from consideration, especially if they’re a pet peeve of the interviewer!

1. People person. Interviewers hear applicants say “I’m a people person” and want to roll their eyes. It’s too general; they’ve heard it before! Instead, mention your strong ability to work and get along well with others. BUT, give specific examples to substantiate your generalization: your ability to work effectively on a team, mediate conflicts, or calm down an irate parent.
   
2. Irregardless. This is not a word. Regardless is the correct word. Another misused word is “literally” as in “I literally was putting out fires all day in my last job”. (Unless you were a fire-fighter).
   
3. Crisis. Use this word only if there was a true crisis, not a hard problem to solve. For example, if you worked on a program and a key presenter didn’t show for a program, it shouldn’t be labeled as a crisis or you might come across as a high-drama alarmist.
   
4. No Way. You don’t want to portray negativity. If what they’re asking of you can’t be done, try to phrase your reply in a more positive way, maybe suggesting an alternative.
   
5. Fired. Employers often ask why you left a previous job. If your position was eliminated or if the entire staff was let go, don’t use the f- word, as it leaves a negative impression and could imply you were to blame.
   
6. Garbage Words. This is my own addition. Such words as “um,” “you know,” and “like.” When job candidates say “you know,” I want to blurt out, “No, I don’t know.” Unless you are comparing something, don’t use “like.” Most times these words are inserted almost as commas or to catch one’s breath. It’s surprising how many garbage words someone can generate in just a few sentences. Being cognizant of these words can significantly reduce their use. Also, taking a breath or pausing will lessen their usage.