20 National University Interview Questions and Answers

National University is a private, nonprofit university that provides accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. The university has a long-standing commitment to helping working adults earn degrees, and its programs are designed with the needs of busy adults in mind.

While the university offers a wide range of programs, there are some company-specific interview questions that potential students should be prepared to answer. These questions will help the interviewer get a better sense of the applicant’s fit for the program and their potential for success.

National University Interview Process

The interview process at National University can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may be interviewed by a panel of people. The interviews are generally fairly relaxed and casual, with questions about your experience and qualifications for the role.

1. Tell me about a time you helped resolve an issue that was not your responsibility.

This question can help an interviewer determine your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that show you are a team player who is willing to help others succeed.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing the social media accounts of our company. One day, I noticed one of our competitors’ Twitter account had been hacked. The hacker changed their profile picture and bio information, which could have affected their brand reputation. I immediately contacted them through Twitter DM and offered to help fix the issue. They accepted my offer, and together we were able to change their profile back to normal.”

2. Do you have experience working in a team environment?

National University is a private, nonprofit university that provides accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. As such, they value teamwork and collaboration in their employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your experience working with others on projects or how you’ve helped teams achieve goals.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment for the past five years at my current job as an administrative assistant. I work alongside two other administrative assistants and our supervisor to ensure we all stay organized and meet deadlines. We also collaborate on projects together, like creating presentations for clients.”

3. Describe your teaching style.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with the university’s mission. To answer, you can describe a specific time when you used a certain teaching method or explain what methods you prefer in general.

Example: “I believe that every student learns differently, so I try to use different teaching styles depending on my students’ needs. For example, if I’m teaching a large lecture class, I like to use visual aids and group activities to help everyone understand concepts. If I’m working one-on-one with a student, I prefer to have them do most of the work while I provide feedback and guidance.”

4. How would you approach the task of getting students to pay attention during class?

This question is an opportunity to show your teaching skills and how you can motivate students. Your answer should include a specific example of how you got students’ attention in the past, as well as what strategies you used to keep their attention throughout class.

Example: “I find that humor is one of the best ways to get students’ attention during class. I once had a student who was constantly on his phone during my lecture. I decided to make a joke about cell phones distracting us from learning. He laughed along with the rest of the class, and he put away his phone for the remainder of the lecture.”

5. What is your philosophy on education?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your educational philosophy and how it aligns with the university’s mission. To answer, think about what you value most in a student or teacher. Consider sharing an anecdote that illustrates your beliefs on education.

Example: “I believe that education is a lifelong process of learning and growth. I’ve always been passionate about learning new things, so when I was younger, I decided to become a teacher. Throughout my career, I have seen many students who were initially afraid of school overcome their fears and excel academically. Seeing them develop confidence and excitement for learning has made me realize that education can be life-changing.”

6. What type of student do you think would be successful at National University?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what National University offers and how it can benefit students. Use your answer to highlight some of the university’s programs, resources or opportunities that you think would be beneficial for a student who wants to succeed in their studies.

Example: “I believe that anyone who is motivated to learn and grow as a person would be successful at National University. The institution has so many resources available to its students, including career services, financial aid assistance and tutoring support. I know from my own experience that these types of resources are essential to succeeding in higher education.”

7. Why do you want to work at National University?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their organization. Before you go to the interview, make sure you read through the job description and highlight any skills or qualifications that match what they’re looking for. Use these details to explain why you would be a good fit for the role.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about helping others succeed. When I was in college, I worked as an academic advisor at my school’s student success center. I loved being able to help students find the right classes and navigate the university system. Working here would allow me to continue doing something I love while also gaining valuable experience working with adult learners.”

8. What qualities make you an exceptional educator?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy and how you plan to apply it in their university. To answer this question, think of the qualities that make you an effective educator and describe them in detail.

Example: “I believe that a great teacher is someone who can inspire students to be better than they were yesterday. I am always looking for new ways to challenge my students and help them develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. For example, when I taught at my previous school, I noticed that many of my students had trouble with time management. So, I created a course on time management where we discussed different strategies and techniques to help our students manage their time more effectively.”

9. How would you handle a situation where a student was being disruptive or disrespectful?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure and use problem-solving techniques to resolve the issue.

Example: “I have had experience with disruptive students in my previous position as an academic advisor at a community college. I usually start by asking the student to step into my office so we can discuss the disruption privately. Once we are alone, I explain why their behavior is inappropriate and give them a chance to apologize or explain themselves. If they continue to be disruptive after that, I will call campus security to remove them from class.”

10. If hired, what would your primary focus be when educating adults who are returning for their higher education?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the university’s mission and how you would contribute to it. Your answer should include a brief overview of what National University offers its students, as well as why you are interested in working for this institution.

Example: “I believe that adult learners have unique needs when returning to school. I am passionate about helping adults who want to continue their education after raising families or taking time off from school due to work commitments. My goal would be to help these students achieve their educational goals while also providing them with the support they need to succeed.”

11. Do you have any experience with distance learning?

National University is a distance learning institution, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience with online education. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you succeed in your previous educational endeavors. If you don’t have any experience with distance learning, explain why you’re excited about the opportunity to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve never taken an online course before, but I’m very interested in trying out distance learning at National University because of its reputation for providing quality education. I think that being able to complete my degree while working full-time would be beneficial to me as a student.”

12. Would you say that you are better at communicating through written communication or verbal communication?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you prefer to communicate with others. It is important to be honest in your answer, but also consider what the job requires of you. If you are interviewing for a position that involves writing or editing, it can be beneficial to mention that you are better at written communication.

Example: “I would say I am better at verbal communication because I have always been comfortable speaking in front of groups. However, I do enjoy writing as well, so I think my strengths balance each other out. In fact, I find that when I write something down, I am able to speak more confidently about it.”

13. What unique skills can you bring to this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of your most relevant skills and how they will benefit the university.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me great at managing projects and meeting deadlines. I also have excellent communication skills, so I would be able to clearly explain complex ideas to students and faculty members. These skills are what make me such a strong candidate for this position.”

14. Give us examples of your customer service skills and how they will help you succeed as an admissions advisor.

Customer service skills are important for any role in admissions. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal and communication skills, as well as how you would help students with enrollment or registration processes. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to communicate clearly and empathize with others.

Example: “I have experience working in a call center where I helped customers resolve technical issues with their internet service. While the company provided customer service training, I learned that it’s important to listen carefully to what the caller is saying and respond with empathy. This helps me understand the issue at hand and find solutions quickly. I believe these same skills will help me provide excellent customer service to prospective students.”

15. What type of relationship would you like to build with your students?

Interviewers want to know how you plan to connect with your students and help them succeed. Showcase your interpersonal skills by describing a time when you helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve their goals.

Example: “I believe that the most important part of my job is building relationships with my students. I have had many experiences where I was able to help students overcome obstacles in their education, which made me feel very accomplished as a teacher. In one instance, I had a student who was struggling with math. After talking with her about her previous experience with math, I realized she needed more practice with basic arithmetic before moving on to algebra. I created a study guide for her so she could review the basics while also learning new concepts.”

16. When did you first become interested in education?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your background and motivations for becoming a teacher. They want to know if you have always wanted to be an educator or if it is something that developed later in life. Your answer should include the specific moment when you knew teaching was right for you, but also highlight any experiences that led up to that point.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about education. I remember as a child my parents would quiz me on spelling words and multiplication tables every night before bed. I loved learning new things and being able to show them how much I had learned. When I got older, I started tutoring other kids at school who were struggling with their work. That’s when I realized that I really wanted to become a teacher.”

17. Do you have experience with adult learners?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with students who are older, returning to school or in a different stage of life. They want to make sure that you can relate to their adult learners and help them succeed. In your answer, share some personal experiences or stories about how you helped an adult learner succeed.

Example: “I worked at my previous university for five years as the director of student services. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with many adult learners. One of my favorite experiences was when I met with a single mother who wanted to go back to school but didn’t know where to start. She was overwhelmed by all of the information she needed to learn. We talked through her goals and created a plan together. I connected her with resources on campus and within the community so she could get the support she needed.”

18. What would you consider your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know that you’re self-aware and willing to improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, try to think of something that isn’t too serious or personal.

Example: “I would say my biggest weakness is being disorganized. I’m working on improving this by using more apps and software to help me stay organized. I’ve also started keeping a planner with me at all times so I can write down any tasks I need to complete.”

19. Are you familiar with any online learning software such as Canvas or Blackboard?

This question is a great way to gauge your comfort level with technology and how you might use it in the classroom. If you are not familiar with any of these platforms, consider researching them before your interview so that you can discuss their features and benefits.

Example: “I am very comfortable using Canvas as an instructor because I have used it for my current position at XYZ Community College. It’s a great platform for creating online courses and communicating with students through discussion boards and other tools. Blackboard is another learning management system that I’ve heard good things about but haven’t had the opportunity to try yet.”

20. Have you ever worked in a call center before?

This question is a great way to gauge your customer service skills and how you interact with others. If you have experience working in a call center, share what you learned from the position and how it helped you grow as a professional.

Example: “I worked in a call center for two years while I was going through my bachelor’s program. It was an entry-level position where I answered questions about our university’s programs and registration procedures. While this wasn’t my favorite part of the job, I did learn a lot about interacting with customers and providing excellent customer service. This knowledge has helped me become more confident when speaking on the phone or in front of large groups.”