20 Kean University Interview Questions and Answers

Kean University is a world-class, research-intensive public university located in New Jersey. With over 16,000 students and 2,700 faculty members, Kean is one of the largest universities in the state.

The interview process at Kean is highly competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions. In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Kean University interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Kean University Interview Process

The interview process at Kean University can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as Usher, Cashier, and Box Office Associate, the process is relatively simple and straightforward. There will generally only be one interview and you will be told if you got the job or not shortly thereafter. For other positions, such as Academic Specialist or Assistant Professor, the process may be more involved. There may be multiple interviews, both in person and over the phone, and the hiring process may take longer to complete. Overall, the experience seems to be positive, with most people finding the process to be fair and efficient.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of higher education?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your thoughts on higher education and how you feel it can be improved. This is also a good opportunity to show that you are passionate about improving the educational system as a whole.

Example: “I believe that there needs to be more emphasis placed on teaching students practical skills rather than theoretical ones. I think this would help prepare them for their future careers, which in turn could lead to better job satisfaction and retention rates. Another thing I’d like to see change is the cost of tuition. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for many people to afford college, so I think we need to find ways to make it more affordable.”

2. How will you encourage students to achieve their academic goals?

The interviewer wants to know how you will help students succeed in their academic pursuits. Use examples from your experience that show you can motivate and inspire students to achieve their goals.

Example: “I believe the most important thing I can do for my students is listen to them. When a student comes to me with an issue, I make sure to give them all of my attention so they feel heard. This helps me understand what’s going on in their lives and allows me to provide support when needed. In addition to listening, I also encourage students to set realistic but challenging goals for themselves. I want them to be excited about learning and strive to reach their full potential.”

3. Describe a time when you had to motivate a student who was not performing well in class.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to motivate and inspire students. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped a student overcome challenges or improve their performance in class.

Example: “I had a student once who was struggling with the material I taught in my history class. The student would often ask questions during lectures and seemed confused about the material we were covering. After talking with the student one-on-one, I learned that they were having trouble understanding the material because of a learning disability. I worked with the student to create a study plan that included extra credit assignments and other ways for them to learn the material. By helping the student understand how to overcome their challenges, they were able to perform better in class.”

4. Why do you want to work at Kean 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 would be a good fit for Kean University. Before your interview, research the school’s mission statement and values. Use these as a guide when answering this question.

Example: “I am passionate about working at Kean University because I believe higher education is an important part of our society. As someone who has always been dedicated to learning, I think it would be rewarding to work with students on their educational journey. I also love that Kean University is a diverse campus where people from all backgrounds can come together to learn. I feel like I could make a difference here by helping students succeed.”

5. Tell us about a time when you disagreed with a colleague, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It can also show them your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you disagreed with someone but were able to resolve the issue in a positive way.

Example: “In my previous position as an admissions counselor at a local college, I had a colleague who was very strict about deadlines for applications. She would often tell students that they needed to submit their application within two weeks or risk losing their spot. While I understood her reasoning behind this policy, I felt like she could have been more flexible with some students.

I approached her privately and explained why I thought we should consider being more lenient with our deadline policies. After discussing it further, she agreed that there may be room for improvement. We decided to change our policy so that students could apply up until one month before the start of the semester.”

6. Provide an example of a time where you were able to help someone improve academically.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to motivate others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific steps you took to help them improve their grades or academic performance.

Example: “In my first year of teaching, I had a student who was struggling with math. He would often miss class and didn’t understand basic concepts. After talking with him about his struggles, he told me that he wasn’t able to afford tutoring services at school. So, I decided to tutor him myself after school for two weeks until he understood the material. After those two weeks, he was able to pass the course.”

7. What is your teaching experience?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. If you have teaching experience, share what grade level or subject you taught and how long you were in that position. If you don’t have any formal teaching experience, you can still answer this question by describing your most recent job where you worked with students.

Example: “I’ve been teaching at my current high school for three years now. I started out as an English teacher but then moved into AP Literature and Composition when there was a vacancy. I love working with teenagers because they’re so eager to learn and grow.”

8. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your greatest strengths are so that you can use them on the job. They also want to know about any weaknesses so that you can work on improving them. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths first.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to communicate with others. I am always willing to listen to other people’s ideas and opinions, and I try to make sure everyone feels heard when we’re discussing something. My weakness would probably be my perfectionism. While I do like things done well, sometimes I spend too much time editing or re-editing my work instead of just submitting it.”

9. What are some strategies that you use to keep your classes engaged?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you plan your lessons and keep students focused. Your answer should include a few strategies that you use to engage students, such as using visual aids or encouraging class discussions.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to keep my classes engaged is through active learning exercises. For example, I once had a student who was falling asleep in class because he wasn’t getting enough sleep at night. To help him stay awake, I asked him to solve math problems on the board while I solved them on the computer. This helped him stay awake and learn more about solving math equations.”

10. Do you have any experience working with diverse populations?

Kean University is a diverse campus, and the admissions committee wants to make sure you can work with students from different backgrounds. Show them that you are willing to learn about other cultures and respect others’ differences.

Example: “I have worked in my current position for five years now, and I’ve seen many different types of people come through our doors. We have a large population of international students, and I love learning about their culture and customs. In fact, I recently started taking Spanish lessons so I could better communicate with some of our Hispanic students.”

11. If hired, what would be your approach to mentoring graduate students?

Mentoring is an important part of the academic experience, and employers want to know that you can help students develop their skills and knowledge. Use your answer to highlight your ability to mentor others and provide guidance as they complete their degree program.

Example: “I believe mentoring is a two-way street, so I would make sure to listen to my graduate students as much as I offer advice and guidance. I think it’s important for mentors to understand what challenges their students are facing and how they’re feeling about their studies. I also plan to be available to meet with students outside of scheduled meetings if they need additional support or resources.”

12. What is your philosophy on dealing with difficult or unruly students?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to deal with a difficult student or group of students.

Example: “I believe that every student deserves respect regardless of their behavior. I would first try to understand the reason for their actions before taking any disciplinary action. If they are acting out because of personal issues, I will work with them to find resources on campus to help them resolve these problems. If they are acting out due to academic reasons, I will make sure to provide extra support until they feel comfortable in class.”

13. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question is an opportunity to show your critical thinking skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a problem that was challenging but also one that you were able to solve.

Example: “In my previous position as a marketing manager for a small business, I had to create a new campaign strategy when our company’s budget was cut by 50%. This was not something we could avoid, so I immediately began brainstorming ideas with my team on how we could still reach our target audience while working within these constraints. We decided to focus more heavily on digital advertising and social media rather than print ads. In the end, we were able to successfully implement our new strategy without losing any customers.”

14. What kind of support can you provide for students who need additional assistance outside of class?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might support students who need additional assistance with their studies. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you are willing to go above and beyond for students in need of extra support.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working one-on-one with students, which I find is often more beneficial than group study sessions. In my last position, I had several students who needed extra help outside of class. For these students, I would meet with them once or twice a week after school to work on specific assignments or concepts they were having trouble understanding. This allowed me to provide individualized attention to each student while also helping them develop important study habits.”

15. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict in the workplace. It’s important that you show your ability to work with others and resolve issues. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific steps you took to solve the problem or what you learned from the experience.

Example: “In my last position as an administrative assistant, I was working on a project with two other employees. One of them had been out for a few days due to illness, so when they returned to work, they were behind on their part of the project. They asked me if we could extend the deadline by a week, which would have put us all behind schedule. I talked to the other employee who was ahead of schedule and he agreed to help us finish the project early.”

16. Tell us why you think you would be a good fit for this position.

Employers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the position and company. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly. Review the qualifications and experience they are looking for in a candidate. Use these details to explain how your background makes you qualified for the role.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for this position because of my extensive knowledge of Kean University. I graduated from here with a degree in business management. Throughout my time as a student, I took several classes that relate to this position. For example, I learned about marketing strategies and customer service skills. These courses helped me develop valuable skills that I can use in this role.”

17. What are some ways you like to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in your field?

Employers ask this question to see if you are passionate about your field and how you stay up-to-date on the latest trends. They want to know that you have a passion for what you do, so they can be sure you will put in the effort to succeed at their university. When answering this question, it is important to show that you are passionate about your career and that you are willing to learn new things.

Example: “I love my major and I am always looking for ways to improve myself as a student. I subscribe to several newsletters from professors who teach classes similar to mine. I also follow some of the top professionals in my field on social media to get an idea of what they are doing and how I can apply those ideas to my own work.”

18. Are you comfortable with giving presentations in front of large groups?

This question is a good way to assess your public speaking skills. If you are interviewing for an academic position, it’s likely that you will need to give presentations in front of large groups of students and faculty members. Employers want to make sure you have the confidence and ability to do this effectively.

Example: “I am very comfortable giving presentations in front of large groups. In my last job as a professor at a community college, I gave several lectures each week to hundreds of students. I find that if you practice enough, you can get used to presenting in front of any size group. I always try to be friendly and engaging when I present so that everyone feels welcome.”

19. Have you ever been asked to change something about your teaching style by a supervisor?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to constructive criticism. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where your supervisor gave you feedback and you implemented their suggestions.

Example: “In my first year of teaching, I noticed that some students were distracted during class because they would use their phones. I asked them if they could put their phones away for the duration of class, but many of them said they needed their phones for note-taking or other reasons. So, I decided to allow them to keep their phones on silent mode as long as they kept them in their bags. This helped me address their needs while also ensuring they weren’t distracting others.”

20. How would you describe your communication skills?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to communicate with others and collaborate on projects. Use examples from past experiences that highlight your communication skills, such as active listening, speaking clearly and concisely and communicating in a professional manner.

Example: “I have always been someone who enjoys talking to others and learning about their lives. In my previous position at a local coffee shop, I was often asked to take orders over the phone for customers who were ordering ahead of time. This required me to listen carefully to what they wanted, ask clarifying questions when needed and relay all information back to the baristas so they could prepare the order correctly. I also had to speak clearly and loudly enough so that the customer could hear me.”