20 Florida State University Interview Questions and Answers

Florida State University is a well-renowned research university, and as such, they have high expectations for their employees. If you’re interviewing for a position at Florida State University, you can expect to be asked questions about your research experience, your teaching experience, and your knowledge of the university’s research programs. In addition, you may be asked questions about your experience working with students, as well as your ability to work independently. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions that you may be asked.

Florida State University Interview Process

The interview process at Florida State University can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as a research assistant or teaching assistant, you may be contacted weeks after applying and asked to participate in a phone or Zoom interview. The interviewer will ask questions about your resume and may also ask a technical question or two about your area of expertise. For other positions, such as a campus recreation staff member or night staff member, you may be asked to participate in a group interview followed by a brief individual interview. The questions asked during these interviews will be mostly related to your past work experiences and availability.

1. Why do you want to work at Florida State University?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their organization. They want to know what attracted you to the position and why you are a good fit for their team. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description so that you can reference specific requirements or expectations. In your answer, explain how your skills and experience match up with what they’re looking for.

Example: “I am very interested in working at Florida State University because of its reputation as one of the best public research universities in the country. I have always been passionate about education, and I think it would be an honor to work here. I also love the idea of being part of such a large community of students, faculty and staff who all share the same goal of providing quality education.”

2. Tell me about your experience as a graduate assistant or research assistant.

This question is an opportunity to discuss your experience working with faculty members and other professionals. You can use this time to highlight any skills you developed while assisting others, such as communication or organization.

Example: “I was a research assistant for my advisor during my undergraduate studies. I learned so much from her about how to conduct research and write papers. She also taught me how to work independently and manage my time effectively. This skill has helped me in all of my previous positions.”

3. What is the difference between a GA, TA and RA?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the university’s academic structure. You can answer this question by defining each role and explaining how they differ from one another.

Example: “A GA, or graduate assistant, is someone who works as an instructor for undergraduate courses. They are typically recent graduates who have completed their master’s degree program. A TA, or teaching assistant, is someone who assists professors with grading assignments and exams. They may also lead discussion groups in place of instructors. An RA, or resident advisor, is someone who lives on campus and provides support to students living in residence halls.”

4. Do you have any teaching experience?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching experience and how it relates to the position. If you have previous teaching experience, share what you learned from that experience and how it can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve had several experiences as a teacher throughout my career. In high school, I was an after-school tutor for students who needed extra help with their classes. This helped me develop my communication skills and understand different learning styles. Later, I became a TA at Florida State University where I taught undergraduate courses on computer science.”

5. How would you handle an upset student in your class?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation in the classroom. Use your answer to highlight your communication and problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I have had students get upset with me before, but I always try to listen to their concerns and address them calmly. If they are having an emotional reaction, I will take a few moments to let them collect themselves and then ask what specifically is upsetting them. Once I know what’s going on, I’ll explain my reasoning for whatever action I took and offer to make it right if there was any misunderstanding.”

6. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with difficult people?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when faced with challenging situations. In your answer, try to describe a specific situation where you had to deal with difficult people. Explain what steps you took to resolve the issue or manage the person’s behavior.

Example: “I once worked in an office where one of my coworkers was very rude to me on a regular basis. I tried to ignore her at first, but she continued to be disrespectful toward me. Eventually, I decided to address the issue head-on. I asked her if there was something wrong between us. She said no, but then proceeded to tell me about all of her problems. After listening to her for a few minutes, I realized that she just needed someone to talk to. From then on, we became much better friends.”

7. What are some of your strengths that make you qualified for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they can help you succeed in the role. Before your interview, make a list of your strengths that relate to the job description. When answering this question, try to focus on skills that are relevant to the position and highlight your ability to perform the job’s duties.

Example: “I have excellent communication skills, which I believe will be beneficial for this position. As an event planner, it is important to be able to communicate effectively with clients and vendors. In my previous role, I was responsible for communicating with many different people at once, so I am confident that I can handle multiple conversations during events.”

8. Have you received any awards or fellowships?

This question is a great way to show your dedication and passion for academics. If you have received any awards or fellowships, be sure to mention them in your answer.

Example: “I was recently awarded the Dean’s Scholarship at my university. This award is given to students who excel academically while also contributing to their community. I am very proud of this achievement because it shows that I can balance both my academic and extracurricular life.”

9. If hired, what would be your approach to conducting research?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your research methods and how you would apply them in a university setting. To answer, think of the steps you take when conducting research and explain each one.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to conduct thorough research before making any conclusions or recommendations. When I’m working on a project, I first read through all available information to get an idea of what others have said about the topic. Then, I analyze the data myself to see if there are any patterns or trends. Finally, I write up my findings and share them with my team.”

10. If someone came up to you asking for help on their project but was not following the guidelines you gave them, how would you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with others and help them succeed. It also allows you to demonstrate how you would handle a conflict situation.

Example: “If someone came up to me asking for help on their project but was not following the guidelines I gave them, I would first ask if they understood what I had told them about the assignment. If they said yes, then I would explain it again in more detail. If they still didn’t understand, I would offer to meet with them one-on-one or in a small group setting to go over the assignment together.”

11. How organized are you?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you manage your time and responsibilities. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific strategies or tools that you use to stay organized.

Example: “I am very organized when it comes to my work. I have a planner where I write down all of my assignments and due dates so I never miss anything. I also use an app on my phone that helps me keep track of everything I need to do for school. This has helped me become more efficient with my time and avoid missing deadlines.”

12. What is your availability like?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are available for the job. They want someone who can work full-time and be committed to the position. When answering, make sure to mention your availability in a positive way.

Example: “I am currently working as a substitute teacher, so I have flexible hours. However, I would like to find a permanent teaching position because I enjoy working with students. I am available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but I could also work some evenings or weekends if needed.”

13. Have you ever worked in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important skill for many jobs, including those at universities. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with others and that you can do so effectively. In your answer, explain what it means to work in a team and how you’ve done so successfully in the past.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment throughout my entire career. I started out as a research assistant on a project where I was one of five people on the team. We all had different roles but we also collaborated on our projects. For example, I would collect data while another person analyzed it. Then, we presented our findings together.”

14. In addition to this job, will you be taking classes?

This question is asked to determine your commitment to the job and how you will balance school with work. If you are currently enrolled in classes, be sure to mention that you plan on continuing your education while working at Florida State University.

Example: “I am currently a junior majoring in business administration. I have been accepted into the honors program for my degree, so I will continue taking classes until graduation. My goal is to graduate from Florida State University with my bachelor’s degree by May of next year.”

15. This job requires long hours, can you manage working those types of hours?

Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for the workload that comes with working at a university. They want to know if you can handle the long hours and still be productive. In your answer, explain how you’ve managed similar work schedules in the past.

Example: “I understand that this job requires long hours, but I’m prepared for it. In my last position, I worked 50-hour weeks regularly. I have no problem staying late or coming in early when needed. I also understand that sometimes emergencies come up, so I am always prepared to stay as long as necessary.”

16. Are you available to travel to conferences if needed?

If you are interviewing for a position that requires travel, the interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have any concerns about traveling. If you do not have any concerns, be sure to mention how much you enjoy traveling and learning from other professionals in your field.

Example: “I am more than happy to travel to conferences as needed. I find it very beneficial to attend these events because they allow me to learn new techniques and strategies from other professionals. In fact, I would love to attend a conference with Florida State University so I can meet some of the faculty members and students.”

17. We want our graduate assistants to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a self-starter and can work independently. You should highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for this type of environment.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently, especially when it comes to research projects. I have always been passionate about learning new things, so I enjoy researching topics on my own time. In fact, I often find myself looking up information on various subjects just because I’m curious.”

18. Who do you look up to in academia?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your academic goals. It’s important to answer honestly, but it’s also helpful to mention someone who is a little more senior than you so that they may be able to recognize them as well.

Example: “I have always admired Dr. Jane Doe for her work in psychology. She has been such an inspiration to me because she was one of my professors when I first started college. Her passion for teaching really inspired me to pursue this career path.”

19. Describe your past experiences working with professors.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your communication skills and how you interact with authority figures. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific professors who helped you develop professionally or personally.

Example: “Throughout my college career, I have had many wonderful experiences working with professors. In my first year at Florida State University, I took an accounting class taught by Professor Smith. During that semester, I was having trouble understanding some concepts in the course. I went to see Professor Smith during office hours one day after class, and he spent over an hour explaining the concept to me until I understood it fully. He really helped me understand the material for the rest of the semester.”

20. What skills do you feel you could bring to this department?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the department and university. It’s also a chance to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to this position.

Example: “I feel my communication, organization and time management skills would be beneficial to this department. I’ve worked in a fast-paced environment before, so I’m used to prioritizing tasks and working quickly. My experience as a team leader has taught me how to delegate work effectively and communicate with others about their roles.”