17 Student Success Advisor Interview Questions and Answers

Student success advisors work with students who are struggling in their classes, helping them to identify and overcome the obstacles that are preventing them from succeeding. They also work with students who are interested in transferring to a four-year university.

If you’re interviewing for a student success advisor position, be prepared to answer questions about your experience working with students, your knowledge of college transfer requirements, and your ability to provide support and guidance. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the academic programs offered at this institution?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have researched the institution and its academic programs. It is important for student success advisors to be familiar with the academic offerings at their institutions because they often help students choose courses, majors or other academic pursuits. In your answer, try to mention specific academic programs that interest you.

Example: “I am very familiar with the academic programs offered at this institution. I was a psychology major here myself, so I know how valuable it can be to get advice from someone who has been through the program before. I also took several classes in business administration, which led me to pursue an MBA. I think my knowledge of these programs would make me a great resource for students looking to explore different academic options.”

What are some of the most important skills you think a student success advisor should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications they’re looking for in a student success advisor. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific skills that are listed in the job description or highlight any skills you feel make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills a student success advisor should have is patience. Working with students can sometimes be challenging, so I think it’s important to have patience when helping them overcome challenges or answer questions. Another skill I think is important is organization. As a student success advisor, I would need to keep track of many different things at once, so organization is essential. Finally, I think communication is another key skill. Being able to communicate effectively with students, faculty members and other staff members is vital to my ability to do my job well.”

How would you help a student who is struggling academically?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would approach a student who is struggling in school. It’s important to show that you have the skills and knowledge to support students with academic challenges. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to help this student succeed.

Example: “I would first ask the student why they are having trouble academically. I would then try to find out if there was anything going on in their life that could be affecting their grades. If it seems like the student just needs more time to study or practice, I would offer them extra tutoring sessions. If the student has an upcoming test, I would also give them tips for studying effectively.”

What is your experience working with students who have disabilities?

Student success advisors often work with students who have disabilities, and employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working with these students. In your answer, explain how you would help a student with a disability succeed in school. Share any experience you have helping students with disabilities.

Example: “I worked as an academic advisor for three years at my previous university, where I helped many students with disabilities. One of the most common disabilities I encountered was ADHD, which is something I am familiar with. When I met with students who had ADHD, I made sure they understood their accommodations and what steps they needed to take to ensure they were succeeding in class. I also encouraged them to reach out to me if they ever needed help or advice.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a student develop an academic plan that helped them achieve their goals.

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to learn more about your experience working with students and helping them achieve their academic goals. Use examples from past experiences that highlight your ability to help students develop plans for success, manage time effectively and stay motivated in the classroom.

Example: “In my previous role as an advisor, I worked with a student who was struggling in one of her classes. She had always done well in school but was having trouble understanding some of the concepts in her class. We met several times over the course of a few weeks to discuss her progress and how she could improve her grade. After studying harder and asking questions during class, she raised her grade by two points.”

If a student came to you with questions about campus resources, how would you help them?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would use your knowledge of campus resources to support students. Use examples from your experience as a student success advisor or similar role to highlight your ability to connect students with campus resources and services.

Example: “I have worked in my current position for two years, so I know all of our campus resources well. If a student came to me with questions about campus resources, I would first ask them what they were looking for. Then, I would search through our database of resources to find the best match for their needs. If I couldn’t find an exact match, I would look at other resources on campus that could be helpful.”

What would you do if a student came to you with a problem and you didn’t know the answer?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle situations when you don’t have all of the answers. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to do research and learn new things in order to provide quality support for students.

Example: “If a student came to me with a problem and I didn’t know the answer, I would first ask them if they knew the answer themselves. If not, I would tell them that I would find out what I could about their situation and get back to them as soon as possible. I would then look up resources on campus or online to find the information needed to help the student.”

How well do you handle stress while working with students and meeting deadlines?

Student success advisors often work with students who are under stress. They may be worried about grades, upcoming exams or other academic challenges. The interviewer wants to know how you can help your students manage their stress and stay focused on achieving their goals. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a student overcome stress and achieve their academic goals.

Example: “I understand that working as a student success advisor is stressful because there are so many deadlines and tasks to complete each day. However, I find that my ability to remain calm in high-stress situations helps me better support my students. For example, last semester I had a student who was very stressed out over an upcoming exam. I listened carefully to his concerns and offered advice for managing his stress levels. He took the advice and passed the exam.”

Do you have any suggestions for ways we could improve the student experience at our institution?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your ability to think critically and offer constructive feedback. It also shows that you are invested in helping students succeed. When preparing for this question, consider what about your institution’s student experience could be improved and how it might benefit from changes or additions.

Example: “I noticed that there aren’t many resources available for students who need help with time management skills. I would suggest creating a course on time management strategies that students could take as an elective. This could help them develop better organizational habits and improve their academic performance.”

When working with a group of students, how do you keep everyone engaged?

Student success advisors often work with groups of students, so employers ask this question to make sure you can keep a group focused and on task. When answering this question, explain that you use your interpersonal skills to help the students feel comfortable talking in front of the group. You should also mention that you have presentation and public speaking experience, which helps you lead discussions and facilitate productive conversations.

Example: “I find that when working with a large group of students, it’s important to get everyone involved and engaged. I do this by making eye contact with each student as they speak and asking them questions about their thoughts or opinions. This makes the students feel more confident and comfortable sharing their ideas, and it also allows me to learn more about what they think about the topic at hand.”

We want to increase the number of students who complete their programs within the standard time frame. How would you approach this challenge?

Student success advisors often work with students who are struggling to complete their programs within the standard time frame. This question helps an interviewer understand how you would approach this common challenge and what strategies you might use to help students overcome it. In your answer, explain which steps you would take to ensure that students stay on track and successfully complete their degree program in a timely manner.

Example: “I would first assess why students aren’t completing their programs within the standard time frame. I would then create a plan for helping them overcome these challenges. For example, if many students were failing because of financial reasons, I would offer additional resources like scholarships or grants to help them pay for their education.”

Describe your process for keeping track of student progress and updating student records.

The interviewer wants to know how you organize your work and keep track of important information. Showcase your organizational skills by describing a system you use for keeping records up-to-date, organized and easily accessible.

Example: “I have developed my own method for tracking student progress throughout the semester. I start with an excel spreadsheet that includes all students in the class, their current grade and any notes about their performance or attendance. Then, I create individual folders for each student where I can store documents like assignments, quizzes and tests. This allows me to quickly access student records when needed.”

What makes you stand out from other student success advisors?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you a valuable asset to their team. When answering this question, think of the most important qualities that make you an effective student success advisor. You can also mention any certifications or training programs you have completed.

Example: “I am passionate about helping students succeed in school. I believe that every student has the ability to achieve academic success if they are given the right tools and resources. In my previous role as a student success advisor, I noticed many students were struggling with time management. So, I developed a program to help students develop better time-management skills. This program was so successful that it became part of our curriculum.”

Which student success strategies do you find work best?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with student success strategies and how you implement them. When answering, consider which strategies you’ve used in the past that have helped students succeed. You can also mention any strategies you plan on implementing if they’re new to your role.

Example: “I find that having a strong relationship with students is one of the most important factors when it comes to helping them succeed. I always make sure to get to know my students as individuals so I can better understand their needs and help them overcome challenges. Another strategy I use is encouraging students to take advantage of all resources available to them. For example, I encourage students to attend every class, meet with professors for extra help and utilize campus tutoring services.”

What do you think is the most important thing a student success advisor can do for their students?

This question can help an interviewer understand your philosophy of student success and how you would approach the role. Your answer should show that you value helping students develop their academic skills, plan for graduation and navigate university life.

Example: “I think the most important thing a student success advisor can do is listen to students. I believe that many students come to us with problems they are struggling with, but sometimes they don’t know what resources are available to them or even what questions to ask. As a student success advisor, I would make sure to take time to really hear my students out so that I could better understand their needs and refer them to appropriate resources.”

How often do you think a student should meet with their student success advisor?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan your time and schedule meetings with students. Your answer should show that you are organized and able to manage multiple tasks at once.

Example: “I think it’s important for a student to meet with their advisor at least once per semester, but I also encourage them to reach out if they need additional support or resources. In my previous role as a student success advisor, I met with each of my students twice during the fall semester and once in the spring. This helped me get to know each of my students better while providing them with enough one-on-one attention.”

There is a miscommunication between a student and their professor. How would you handle it?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I once had a student who was struggling in their math class. They were failing the course, but they didn’t know it because they hadn’t taken the final exam yet. The professor told them that they needed to retake the class or take summer school. The student became very upset and said they couldn’t afford summer school. I explained to the student that if they failed the class, they wouldn’t be able to graduate on time. We talked about other options, such as taking online courses during the summer so they could still graduate on time.”