17 History Professor Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re considering a career in history professor, you’re in luck. This career is in high demand due to the increasing number of students who are interested in history. A career as a history professor offers many opportunities to share your knowledge and help students learn about the past.

But before you can start teaching history, you need to be hired. One of the best ways to prepare for a history professor interview is to learn about the types of questions that are commonly asked. This guide will help you do just that. You’ll also find tips for how to answer these questions and what to wear to your interview.

Are you familiar with the AP or IB history curriculum?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience teaching the AP or IB history curriculum. If you do, they may want to know how your teaching style compares to that of their current faculty members. If you don’t, you can explain what kind of curriculum you prefer and why.

Example: “I’ve never taught the AP or IB curriculum, but I am familiar with it. In my last position, we used a similar curriculum where students had to complete projects and write essays throughout the year. I think this is an effective way for students to learn about historical events because they get to apply what they’re learning in class to real-world situations.”

What are some of your favorite primary sources to teach with?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have a passion for history and teaching. They want to know that you enjoy your job, so they might ask about some of the things you like most about it. When answering this question, try to mention primary sources that are interesting or unique.

Example: “I love using historical documents as primary sources because I find them fascinating. One of my favorite documents is The Declaration of Independence because it’s such an important document in American history. It’s also written in a way that makes it easy to understand, which makes it great for students who haven’t studied much American history yet. Another one of my favorites is The Bill of Rights because it outlines many of our basic rights as Americans.”

How do you incorporate technology into your history classes?

Technology is an important part of many students’ lives, so it’s likely that your school will want you to incorporate technology into your history classes. A hiring committee may ask this question to make sure you’re familiar with the latest technologies and how they can be used in a classroom setting. In your answer, try to explain what specific technologies you use and why you choose them.

Example: “I think technology is an essential tool for teaching history because it allows me to bring primary sources into my lessons. For example, I have all of my students complete a project where they create their own historical artifact using modern technology. They then write about the process of creating their artifact and present it to the class. This helps students understand how historians learn about the past.”

What is your favorite period of history to teach and why?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your teaching style and how you connect with students. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time period that you find interesting or exciting to teach about and why.

Example: “I love teaching about ancient civilizations because I find them so fascinating. There are so many different cultures and ways of life that existed thousands of years ago, and I enjoy sharing these stories with my students. It’s also fun to see what kinds of questions my students have when learning about these topics for the first time.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to create an engaging lesson plan.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. To answer, think of a time when you created an engaging lesson for students that was also informative. Explain what steps you took to create the lesson plan and why it worked well.

Example: “In my last position as a history professor, I had to teach a class on the American Revolution. I knew that many students would be bored with the topic because they’ve learned about it in previous classes. So, I decided to make the class fun by creating a game where students could earn points for answering questions correctly. Students loved the idea, and I found out later that many of them remembered the information from the class better than other courses.”

If a student asked you about the cause of the Civil War, what would you tell them?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the Civil War and how you would explain it to students. You can use this opportunity to show that you have an in-depth understanding of the war, its causes and its effects on American history.

Example: “I would tell them that there are many reasons why the Civil War happened. The main cause was slavery, which was legal at the time. However, other factors include the economic differences between the North and South, the election of Abraham Lincoln as president and the tariffs imposed by England on cotton exports.”

What would you do if a student was not doing well in your class?

Interviewers want to know how you would handle a situation like this. They are looking for your problem-solving skills and ability to help students succeed in the classroom. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that the student understands the material and is able to complete their assignments.

Example: “If I noticed that a student was struggling with my class, I would first meet with them one-on-one to discuss their concerns. If they were having trouble understanding the material, I would offer extra help during office hours or find other ways to make sure they understood the concepts. If they were doing well but not performing as well on tests as they could be, I would review their previous work to see if there were any patterns. Then, I would create a study guide based on those patterns.”

How well do you handle criticism?

As a history professor, you may need to give students feedback on their assignments. This question helps the interviewer understand how you react to criticism and whether you can provide constructive feedback to your students. Use examples from past experiences where you’ve received or given feedback to show that you can handle this responsibility.

Example: “I have had many opportunities in my career to receive feedback on my work. I find it helpful to know what areas of improvement are so I can make changes to my teaching methods or course curriculum. In my last position, I was able to implement new ideas for our curriculum after receiving feedback from my department chair. The feedback helped me realize some of the challenges my students were having with the material, which allowed me to create more engaging lessons.”

Do you have any experience publishing articles or books?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience as a historian. If you have published articles or books, share what they were about and how they helped you develop your skills as a historian.

Example: “I’ve had two of my historical essays published in academic journals. One was on the history of the American Revolution, and the other was on the history of the Civil War. I found that writing these articles helped me organize my thoughts and research into coherent arguments. It also gave me valuable feedback from my peers.”

When was the last time you updated your knowledge of current events?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you stay up to date with current events and whether you are likely to be able to keep your students engaged in class. You should answer honestly, but try to show that you have a passion for learning about what’s happening in the world today.

Example: “I subscribe to several news sources on my phone so I can read them while I’m waiting in line or riding the bus. I also watch the evening news every night before bed so I can get an idea of what happened during the day. I find it interesting to see how different stories develop over time, and I think it’s important to know what’s going on in the world.”

We want our history professors to be able to work with other teachers to create a cohesive curriculum. Please tell me about a time when you collaborated with other teachers to create an effective lesson plan.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you worked together to create a lesson plan that was beneficial for students.

Example: “In my last position as a history professor, I collaborated with other teachers to create a curriculum that would allow our students to learn about the different historical eras in chronological order. This helped us ensure that we were teaching all subjects in relation to each other so that students could understand the context of their lessons. We also used this strategy when creating units on specific topics like wars or presidents.”

Describe your process for grading exams and papers.

Interviewers want to know how you grade papers and exams, as well as your process for communicating with students about their grades. This question also allows the interviewer to assess your communication skills and ability to explain complex grading processes in a way that is easy for students to understand.

Example: “I use rubrics when grading exams and papers so that I can communicate my expectations clearly to students. For each assignment, I create a rubric that includes all of the criteria I will be using to evaluate student work. When I return graded assignments to students, I include a copy of the rubric along with their grade.”

What makes you stand out from other history professors?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique qualities and how they can benefit their department. When answering, think of a specific skill or quality that you have that other history professors might not. Try to choose something that is relevant to the position and shows you are qualified for it.

Example: “I am passionate about teaching students about American history because I believe it’s important for them to understand our past so we can make better decisions in the future. In my last job as an AP U.S. History teacher, I noticed many students struggled with understanding the different time periods of American history. So, I developed a curriculum where students could create timelines of historical events and apply what they learned to real-life situations.”

Which historical figures do you most identify with and why?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of your values and beliefs. It’s important to choose historical figures that align with the school’s mission, but it’s also important to be honest about why you identify with them.

Example: “I most identify with Martin Luther King Jr., because I believe in equality for all people. He was a man who stood up for what he believed in, even when it wasn’t popular. His ability to inspire others through his words and actions is something I strive to do every day as a history professor.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a history professor to have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities necessary for this role. A history professor needs to be able to teach students, so it’s important to mention a skill related to teaching in your answer. You can also talk about research or communication skills if they are relevant to this position.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a history professor is the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. I am passionate about history, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I find that when I explain things well, my students understand the material better. Another important skill is being organized. As a history professor, I need to keep track of many different assignments and due dates. I use an online calendar to stay on top of all my responsibilities.”

How often do you plan to update or revise the curriculum for this school?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you plan to change or update your curriculum. It also helps them understand if you will be able to keep up with changes in the field of history and whether you’ll need assistance from other faculty members. Your answer should show that you are willing to make updates as needed, but you may want to mention that you would like to have a committee of professors who can assist you with making these decisions.

Example: “I am always open to revising my curriculum when necessary. I think it’s important for students to learn about current events and historical facts so they can apply what they’re learning to their own lives. However, I do believe that having a committee of historians and educators who can help me revise the curriculum is beneficial. This way, we can all work together to ensure that the curriculum is accurate and relevant.”

There is a gap in the curriculum that you don’t know how to fill. How would you address this issue?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the gap in detail and how you would fill it with an alternative lesson plan or research project that could help students learn more about the topic.

Example: “There is a large gap in my curriculum where I teach American history from 1865 to present day. In this case, I would create a research project for students to complete on their own time. They would have to find information about the period of history they are interested in learning more about and then report back to me with their findings. This would allow them to explore topics they may not have learned about in class and also give them some freedom to choose what they want to study.”