20 Northeastern University Interview Questions and Answers

Northeastern University is known for its experiential and research-based approach to education. As such, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. When it comes to interviewing for a position at Northeastern University, applicants can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the university and its values.

In this article, we will provide some examples of Northeastern University interview questions that applicants may be asked. We will also offer some tips on how to answer these questions in a way that will impress the interviewer.

Northeastern University Interview Process

The interview process at Northeastern University can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as a COOP Coordinator or Data Scientist, you may be required to take an online test and participate in multiple interviews. For other positions, such as a Student Ambassador or Graduate Teaching Assistant, you may only be required to participate in one interview. Overall, the interview process is generally professional and organized.

1. What is your biggest accomplishment?

This question is a great way to learn more about your candidate’s background and accomplishments. It can also help you determine if the candidate has any experience that relates to the position they’re applying for. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include an example of how you achieved your accomplishment.

Example: “My biggest accomplishment was when I graduated from my undergraduate program with a 4.0 GPA. This was something I had been working toward since high school, so I was very proud to have accomplished it. Throughout college, I took challenging classes and participated in many extracurricular activities. I think these experiences helped me achieve such a high GPA.”

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know that you’re committed to their university and the field of study you’ve chosen. They also want to see if your goals align with theirs.

Example: “I hope to have graduated from Northeastern University with my bachelor’s degree by then. I would like to continue working as an intern at this company for another five years, where I can learn more about the industry and develop my skills. After that, I’d love to work here full-time.”

3. What are some of the challenges you have faced while working as a research assistant?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Use examples from your past experience to highlight how you overcame challenges, used teamwork or developed new skills.

Example: “In my last position as a research assistant, I was tasked with organizing data for an important presentation that our team had to give at a conference. Unfortunately, when we started going through the data, we realized there were some errors in it. We spent several hours trying to figure out what went wrong before realizing that one of the researchers had entered the wrong information into the database. Once we figured this out, we quickly fixed the issue and gave the presentation without any issues.”

4. Can you describe three different teaching styles and explain when they would be appropriate to use?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to adapt to different learning styles and needs of students. In your answer, try to describe the three teaching styles and provide an example of when you’ve used each one in a previous role.

Example: “I believe that there are three main teaching styles—direct instruction, active learning and inquiry-based learning. Direct instruction is best for when I need to teach new information or skills to my students. Active learning is great for when I want to engage students with hands-on activities and group work. Inquiry-based learning is useful when I want to encourage critical thinking and problem solving.”

5. How would you handle an undergraduate student who was struggling with course material?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your teaching skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to work with students who are struggling in class and provide strategies for helping them succeed.

Example: “I have had the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses before, so I understand that it can be difficult when students don’t grasp course material right away. If I encountered a student who was struggling with coursework, I would first make sure they understood the concepts we covered in class. Then, I would offer extra help sessions or office hours where I could meet with them one-on-one to go over any questions they might have.”

6. What are your thoughts on the future of university education?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for education and how you can contribute to the future of higher learning. Your answer should include a few examples of what you think will be important in university education in the next five years, as well as some ideas on how you would implement these changes if you were hired.

Example: “I believe that universities need to adapt their programs to better suit the needs of students. For example, I have noticed that many students struggle with time management skills, so I would like to see more classes offered on this topic. Another area where I feel there is room for improvement is online resources. Many students are hesitant to use online tools because they don’t know how to navigate them effectively. I would love to develop a program that teaches students how to use technology to enhance their studies.”

7. What are the most important skills for someone working as a teaching assistant or graduate teaching assistant?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your communication, organization and time management skills.

Example: “The most important skill for someone working as a teaching assistant or graduate teaching assistant is excellent communication skills. You need to be able to clearly explain concepts to students and help them understand course material. Another important skill is strong organizational skills. Teaching assistants are responsible for managing their time and keeping track of assignments and deadlines. Finally, I think it’s essential that teaching assistants have good problem-solving skills because they may encounter challenges with students.”

8. What experience do you have designing curriculums and lesson plans?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with curriculum design and how you might approach designing a new program at Northeastern University. Use examples from past projects to highlight your ability to create effective curriculums, lesson plans and other educational materials.

Example: “In my last position as an English teacher, I was responsible for creating all of the curriculum and lesson plans for each class period. This included developing unit plans that covered different topics in literature and writing styles. I also created assessments and grading rubrics for students to use throughout the year. These tasks helped me develop my organizational skills and learn more about what types of programs are available at universities.”

9. Tell me about a time you had to work with a group that did not get along, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about how you helped the group come together and achieve their goals.

Example: “In my last internship, I worked on a team of five people who all had different ideas for what they wanted to accomplish. At first, we were not communicating well and would often get frustrated with each other. After talking with my supervisor, we decided that we should create a plan for our project and then hold a meeting where everyone could share their ideas. This allowed us to understand each other’s perspectives and find ways to incorporate everyone’s ideas into the final product.”

10. Describe your experience working with students from other cultures.

Northeastern University is a diverse campus with students from all over the world. The university wants to ensure that you can work well with people of different backgrounds and cultures. When answering this question, describe your experience working with students who are different than you. Explain how you used your cultural background to help others understand yours.

Example: “I have worked in international schools for the past five years. In my last position, I was responsible for teaching English as a second language to students from around the world. It was important to me that everyone understood what I said during class. To do so, I would use examples from their home country or culture to explain new concepts. This helped many students feel more comfortable in class.”

11. Why do you want to work at Northeastern University?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their organization. Before your interview, research the university’s mission statement and values. Use these to explain why you are a good fit for Northeastern University.

Example: “I am interested in working at Northeastern University because of its commitment to experiential learning. I believe that students should be able to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations. In my last role as an academic advisor, I worked with many students who were unsure of how to make the most of their college experience. I helped them find ways to get involved on campus and develop skills that would help them succeed.”

12. What type of experience do you have using Microsoft Office Suite?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you use Microsoft Office Suite. You can answer this question by describing the types of projects you’ve worked on using Microsoft Office Suite, such as creating presentations or writing reports.

Example: “In my current role as a marketing specialist at XYZ Marketing Firm, I have used Microsoft Word for writing reports and proposals, Microsoft PowerPoint for creating presentations and Microsoft Excel for analyzing data and making graphs. In previous roles, I also used these programs to complete similar tasks.”

13. Are you able to work independently?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a self-starter and can work independently. You should highlight your ability to manage your time, prioritize tasks and complete projects on time.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently because I have done so for the past three years as a full-time student. In my current role, I also work independently by managing my own schedule and completing assignments and projects before deadlines. This has helped me develop good time management skills and learn how to balance multiple responsibilities.”

14. What do you think makes a good teacher?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy. They want to know what you value in a teacher and how you would apply those values to the classroom. In your answer, try to describe specific qualities that make a good teacher. You can also mention any teachers who inspired you or helped you succeed.

Example: “I think a good teacher is someone who cares deeply about their students. A great teacher wants to see each student succeed and will work hard to help them reach their goals. I believe it’s important for teachers to be approachable and available to talk with students when they need help. I am always willing to stay after class if a student has questions.”

15. How do you plan to continue learning and growing academically?

Northeastern University is a research university that values academic growth and development. They want to ensure you have the ability to continue learning and growing as an individual, which will help you succeed in their program. When answering this question, explain how you plan to continue your education after graduation.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in my school’s honors program, where I take challenging courses and complete independent projects. This has helped me develop valuable skills like time management and critical thinking. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in business administration at Boston College. I feel this will give me the opportunity to further develop my leadership and communication skills.”

16. Do you consider yourself to be a self-starter?

This question is designed to assess your ability to take initiative and complete tasks without being told what to do. Employers want to know that you can work independently, but also collaborate with others when necessary.

Example: “I consider myself a self-starter because I have always been motivated to learn new things and achieve my goals. In high school, I was the first in my family to graduate from college, so I had no one to tell me what to do or how to do it. However, I did have some great mentors who helped me along the way. Now, I am comfortable taking on challenges and figuring out solutions for myself.”

17. What types of programs can you teach?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your teaching experience and skills. To answer, you can list the subjects or courses you have taught in the past. You can also include any certifications you have that relate to the subject matter you would teach at Northeastern University.

Example: “I’ve had a lot of success with my students in the past, so I am confident I could teach almost any course. In my last position as an English teacher, I was able to teach AP Literature and Composition, Introduction to Poetry and Creative Writing. I also hold a certification in English Language Arts from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.”

18. Give us an example of a time where you had to make a decision without consulting your direct supervisor.

This question is designed to assess your ability to make independent decisions and how you used your critical thinking skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you made a decision that was in the best interest of the company or organization but did not involve your supervisor.

Example: “When I worked as a marketing intern at my previous job, I noticed that our social media accounts were not being updated regularly. This meant we weren’t engaging with our followers on social media, which could have affected our sales numbers. So, I decided to take it upon myself to create a plan for updating our social media accounts daily. My supervisor approved my idea, and I created a schedule where I would update our social media accounts every day.”

19. What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your interests and personality. You can talk about any hobbies or activities you enjoy, such as sports, music or theater. If you have a job, you can mention that too.

Example: “I love playing soccer in my free time. I play for my high school team and it’s something I look forward to every week. It’s also a great way to stay active and meet new people. Another thing I like to do is read. I’m currently reading ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I’ve always been interested in classic literature.”

20. Have you ever been involved in any academic committees? If so, tell us what role you played.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your leadership skills and ability to work with others. If you have experience working on academic committees, share what your role was and how it helped you develop your skills.

Example: “In my last position as an admissions counselor at Boston University, I served on the university’s recruitment committee. This committee met once a month to discuss new strategies for recruiting students from diverse backgrounds. We also discussed ways we could improve our outreach efforts to prospective students who may not be aware of all the opportunities available to them at BU.”