Job interview at local college coming up -- Any tips?

[Double J]

I've been trying to break into higher education for months now. Thankfully, I was invited to meet with a committee for an administrative position I recently applied for.

 

I know the rules here are different than those in the private sector.

 

Any tips/suggestions you guys can offer?

 

Thanks in advance.

[BellaDonna]

Learn as much about the college as possible, beforehand. Even though you are applying fora job and you are nto a student there, go online and look at all of the info they give to prospective students and what types of key words they like to use in their mission statements. Then use that same language in your interview.

 

You want to be the ideal employee for their institution and for the population of students they serve.

[annie24]

Learn as much about the college as possible, beforehand. Even though you are applying fora job and you are nto a student there, go online and look at all of the info they give to prospective students and what types of key words they like to use in their mission statements. Then use that same language in your interview.

 

You want to be the ideal employee for their institution and for the population of students they serve.

 

yes, exactly. and find out about the type of position - and ask intelligent questions about that. i'm not sure what sort of position you are applying for - but one example I heard was from a professor who was interviewing a potential professor at a small teaching college. When she asked, "What classes would you like to teach if you got this job?" the candidate looked blank. the candidate should have looked up the courses taught by the department and had a few suggestions. basically, be informed.

[hausser]

I can't talk about Admin specifically but in general employers decide wether they want to hire you or shortlist within the first two minutes, regardless of your CV. May even be shorter than two minutes. They will find ways to justify their decision later.

 

I have just finished employment with a local authority as opposed to private companies (who I have worked for all my working life otherwise) and the big difference is IMO is that government sponsored organisations look for people who will fit in (i.e get on) with everyone else as opposed to private where the emphasis is much more on doing the job and making them money and "niceness" is secondsry.

 

E.g some good sales peoplea re obnoxious assholes but as their numbers are good they stay, they would never last long in your average municipal council.

 

Positive, slightly confident body language. When I was in my early to mid twenties I got 99% of jobs I applied for, very frequently they would cite "confidence" as reason, however see above point about private companies, may be different in state sponsored education. Well groomed and punctual are a given.

 

As contrived as it may sound, learn everything about the place/position and speak in almost gushing tones. You may balk at yourself as the words are coming out of your mouth when you talk the place up but I've never heard of someone not being hired because they didnt know enough about the company/position. On the other hand plenty of people I have heard about not being hired as they couldn't be bothered to learn.

[Applewhite]

I agree with asking smart questions about the position and about what you would and wouldn't be responsible for in the position. Other than that I would not talk just to talk but also be very friendly and open (you have to balance the two somehow). Be confident but be careful not to appear as overly arrogant or as a smart heinie!

[hausser]

To edit my above post, I've never heard of someone NOT being hired because they knew TOO MUCH about the company/organisation.