20 Wake Forest University Interview Questions and Answers

Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1834, the university is ranked 27th among national universities by U.S. News & World Report.

If you’re hoping to land a spot at Wake Forest University, you’ll need to ace your interview. The interview process for Wake Forest is notoriously competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Wake Forest interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Wake Forest University Interview Process

The interview process at Wake Forest University can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as adjunct instructor, the interview may be conducted over the phone due to safety measures during COVID. The scheduling is done over email and interviews are set up within a few days. Associate Director interviews consist of three rounds. The questions are mainly behavioral-based interviews. Admissions Counselor interviews are mostly behavioral based. They focus on questions that help them understand how you experienced undergrad at WFU..and what you will share with prospective students. Librarian interviews are surprisingly enjoyable, despite the usual length and intensity that’s expected from higher education. Three different sessions culminate with a full-day interview. It seems as though the search committee and hiring manager really care about the comfort of the candidates. Staff Accountant interviews are friendly and respectful. They ask questions regarding my background and explain the work environment in detail and what they expect. Visiting Assistant Professor interviews are easy, online. The questions asked are as expected. The interviewer panel is patient and mature. Teacher – Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow interviews had just one interview- on zoom. The interviewer told me the interview is supposed to be informal and made me feel like my application was strong and they really wanted me

1. What is your experience with research?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with academic research and how you might fit in at Wake Forest. Academic institutions often value students who are actively involved in research, so it’s important to highlight any relevant experiences you have.

Example: “In my first year of college, I was lucky enough to be selected for a summer internship where I worked on a team researching new ways to treat cancer. It was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to learn more about the medical field while also developing valuable skills like communication and teamwork. Since then, I’ve continued to work as part of a research team here at school, which has helped me develop my own ideas and theories.”

2. How would you go about recruiting participants for a study?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work with a diverse group of people. They want to know that you can collaborate with others and communicate effectively. In your answer, explain how you would find participants for a study and what steps you would take to ensure the process is as easy as possible for everyone involved.

Example: “I would first identify the type of participant I’m looking for. For example, if I was conducting research on college students, I would look for those who are currently enrolled in classes at Wake Forest University. Next, I would create an online survey using SurveyMonkey or another similar platform. Then, I would share the link to my survey through social media and email listservs. I would also post flyers around campus and encourage anyone interested to fill out the survey.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset client, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. This is an important skill for customer service professionals, as they will likely have to deal with upset customers at some point in their career. Your answer should show that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging situation.

Example: “When I worked as a server at a restaurant, I had a regular customer who would often get drunk and make inappropriate comments to me. One night, he made a comment about my appearance that was particularly offensive. Instead of getting upset or defensive, I calmly told him that his behavior was unacceptable and asked if we could discuss the matter privately after our shift. He agreed, and we met up later that evening. I explained that while I appreciated his business, I did not appreciate his comments. He apologized and promised to never behave inappropriately again.”

4. What are some of the things that you think need improvement in this department?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you handle constructive criticism. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you can offer solutions to problems.

Example: “I think there are some areas where we could improve our communication with students. I’ve noticed that sometimes it takes a while for professors to respond to emails or messages from students, which can make them feel like they’re not valued as customers of the university. I think if we had more regular meetings between faculty members and student representatives, we could foster better relationships and ensure that students know their voices are heard.”

5. Why do you want to work at Wake Forest University?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their organization. They want to know that you have done research on the school and understand what makes it unique. When preparing for this interview, read through the job description and familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of the role. Consider how your skills and experience align with the position’s requirements.

Example: “I am passionate about education and believe that Wake Forest University is a great place to work because of its commitment to student success. I also love the idea of working at a smaller university where students can get one-on-one attention from professors. In my last role as an academic advisor, I noticed that many students were overwhelmed by the college application process. I enjoy helping others navigate the admissions process and would like to do so again.”

6. Do you have any experience working as a teaching assistant?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience working with students and how you interact with them. If you have worked as a teaching assistant, describe what your responsibilities were and how they helped prepare you for this role.

Example: “I’ve had two different experiences working as a teaching assistant in my college’s biology department. In my first position, I was responsible for helping students understand concepts through group discussions and one-on-one interactions. My second position was more focused on grading papers and exams to ensure that students understood the material we covered in class. These experiences taught me how important it is to be patient when explaining information to students and how to manage multiple tasks at once.”

7. Describe one of your most successful projects and what made it so successful.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are capable of taking on challenging projects and achieving success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the project in detail and explain what made it so successful.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner for a large company, I was tasked with planning a corporate retreat for 500 employees. This task seemed overwhelming at first, but I took it one step at a time and delegated tasks to other members of my team. The result was a fun-filled weekend where all employees were able to relax and enjoy themselves.”

8. What would be your approach to managing a team of graduate students?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would manage a team of students. Use examples from past experiences where you managed a group of people or projects, and highlight the skills you used to help others succeed.

Example: “I have experience managing teams in my previous roles as an academic advisor and teaching assistant. In both positions, I helped my colleagues develop their professional goals and supported them through challenging situations. For example, when one of my graduate student advisors was struggling with her dissertation, I met with her weekly to discuss her progress and offer advice on how she could overcome her challenges. She eventually finished her dissertation and graduated.”

9. Give us an example of a time where you were able to make improvements to a process or project.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to take on challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you were able to improve the efficiency of a process or project.

Example: “At my current job, I noticed that we had a lot of paperwork that was being duplicated between departments. This led to some confusion as well as wasted time and resources. So, I decided to create an online database where all information could be stored digitally. This saved us a lot of time and money by eliminating the need for paper copies.”

10. What kind of problems might arise when working on a group project? How can these issues be resolved?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to work with others and resolve conflicts. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to collaborate with a group of people, including how you resolved any issues that arose during the project.

Example: “In my last internship at an advertising agency, I worked on several projects in teams of three or four. One time, one of my teammates was late for our weekly meeting twice in a row. This caused us to miss deadlines for two different client campaigns. We talked about it as a team and decided to switch up our responsibilities so we could meet all of our deadlines. My teammate took over some of my tasks while I helped out with their workload.”

11. Are you comfortable working with children?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience working with children. If you have no prior experience, it’s important to highlight any skills or qualities that make you a good candidate for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked as a camp counselor for the past three summers and I love it. The kids are so much fun and they’re always eager to learn new things. I’m great at keeping them engaged and making sure they’re having fun while learning. I also enjoy being able to help them develop their social skills and build confidence.”

12. What do you know about our university’s mission statement?

The university’s mission statement is a good way to learn about the values of Wake Forest. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have researched their school and understand its goals. Before your interview, read through the university’s website or look at their social media accounts to find out what they value most. Use these values to answer questions throughout the interview.

Example: “I know that Wake Forest University has a strong commitment to community service. I also know that it values diversity and inclusion. These are two things that are important to me as well, so I think I would fit in here.”

13. Have you ever worked with people from different cultural backgrounds?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with people from different backgrounds. It’s important to show that you’re willing to learn about other cultures and respect others’ differences.

Example: “I have worked with people from many cultural backgrounds, including my current team of five developers who are all male. I’ve learned a lot about their perspectives on life and work, and they’ve taught me new ways to communicate effectively. We also have two female designers who are younger than us, so we try to be more patient when explaining things to them. I think it’s important to understand where someone is coming from and what their background is.”

14. What is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your biggest weakness at some point during the interview process. Employers ask this question to learn more about how honest you are with yourself and others. They also want to know if you can overcome weaknesses or use them as strengths. When answering this question, try to think of something that isn’t too negative but still shows you’re aware of your shortcomings.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my perfectionism. I strive for excellence in everything I do, which sometimes leads me to overwork myself. In the past, I’ve learned to set realistic goals for myself so I don’t get overwhelmed.”

15. If hired, what would you like to accomplish in your first year?

This question is a great way to learn more about the goals of the candidate. It also allows you to see if they have realistic expectations for their first year on campus. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would like to accomplish in your first year and how that aligns with the job description.

Example: “I would love to get to know my students as soon as possible. I plan to meet with each student within the first month of school so we can discuss any concerns or questions they may have. I would also like to implement an online portal where students can submit feedback and suggestions.”

16. Can you tell me about a time when you were not happy with the results of a project, how did you manage it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. Use examples of times when you faced a challenge, analyzed what went wrong and implemented strategies for improvement.

Example: “In my first year as an event planner, I was working on a large-scale corporate event that required me to coordinate many different vendors. One vendor didn’t deliver all of their supplies, which caused some delays in our setup process. I immediately contacted the client to let them know about the delay and assured them we were doing everything we could to get back on schedule. We managed to complete the setup before the start time of the event.”

17. What is your availability?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn about your availability and how you might fit into their schedule. It’s important to be honest, but also consider what they’re looking for in an answer. If they ask this question, it’s likely that they are looking for someone who can work during normal business hours.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. I have no issues working overtime if needed, however, I do not work weekends.”

18. Have you ever managed a budget before?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to manage a budget and how you would handle managing one at Wake Forest University. Use examples from previous jobs or school experiences where you had to create a budget, monitor spending and make adjustments as needed.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating monthly budgets that included all expenses for our department. I also monitored our expenditures each month to ensure we were staying within our budget. If we went over budget, I worked with other managers to find ways to cut costs without affecting operations. This helped us save money while still providing excellent service to students.”

19. When was the last time you took initiative on a project?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your leadership skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project and how you were able to complete it on your own.

Example: “When I was in high school, my English teacher assigned us a group project that involved creating an advertisement for a product or service. My group members and I had different ideas about what we wanted to create our ad about, so I took initiative and decided on a topic for our project. We created a commercial for a local restaurant, which ended up being one of the highest-scoring projects in class.”

20. What kind of leadership style do you think works best?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for their organization. It’s important to show that you’re willing to work with others and understand how your leadership style could affect those around you.

Example: “I think it’s important to have an open-door policy when leading a team. I always make sure my team knows they can come to me with any questions or concerns, and I try to respond as quickly as possible. I also believe in delegating tasks so everyone has a chance to learn new skills and take on more responsibilities. This helps build confidence and makes employees feel like they are part of something bigger.”