NCEPR: Tips for interviewing in higher ed?

[redheadbaker]

I've worked in corporate settings for most of my career. I have phone screens for graphic designer positions with two different universities this week. 

Anything I should know about interviewing in higher ed that might be different from the corporate world? 

[eddy]

Be prepared for the back end of the decision making to take a very long time. Higher ed is notoriously slow on working through the red tape to make offers. It has gotten better at least at my institution, but still much different than corporate world.

Good luck!

[rupertpenny]

Yeah, it could take forever to hear back.

It isn't likely for a graphic design position, but it's possible they will ask you to do some kind of presentation as part of the interview process. This usually is/should be only for faculty positions, but some schools just like hazing everyone and including one in every interview. It is also possible that there may be questions about diversity, inclusion, and equity. Again, it depends on the school and the job, but I know in my world (university library) we are asking every single person at least one question related to those topics.

[just]

We usually want people moving from corporate to have thought about the differences between the environments. That might be less so in your role, but for my team working with internal HE clients is very different to working with internal/external corporate clients. Things - not just hiring, but decisions, process changes, etc - all take longer. Hierarchies can be much more entrenched depending on the institution. So I'd prepare for that question.

Ditto on the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity - that's a huge focus for us right now. I'd expect all applicants to be able to talk about how their role supports that work and anyone working with tech will need to feel comfortable talking about accessibility requirements.

We always salary screen, but it's extra important for us to do so for those moving from corporate. Usually people move for the benefits and the change in pacing, but many get a surprise when they hear the salary differences between HE and corporate.

[redheadbaker]

Oct 5, 2021 8:46:48 GMT -5 just said:

Ditto on the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity - that's a huge focus for us right now. I'd expect all applicants to be able to talk about how their role supports that work and anyone working with tech will need to feel comfortable talking about accessibility requirements.

This was one of the things specifically in one of the university's job description that made me want to apply I'm very active in advocating for DEI policy changes in our local school district. 

[pixy0stix]

It's been a while, so I'll just reiterate that it's going to take forever for them to get back to you regarding the position.

ETA: I thought of something - there won't be much flexibility, if any, when it comes to benefits and the pay that they offer you. You might be able to negotiate within the range, but if it was advertised as a certain pay range, that's what they're going to offer should it come to that point.

Being in government (which higher ed mimics) we get a lot of people coming in thinking they can negotiate like what is done in the private sector.

[rupertpenny]

just has a good point. Prepare to talk about accessibility as well. There is a huge web accessibility push happening at my institution now.

[ds1013]

Know things about the school - research just like you would a company, but see if there are words that stand out from their site or social media- for my university it is "community", knowing that word lets us know that you get the values of the institution.
I echo the lack of negotiation ability for pay - what they offer is going to be about it for money.
DEI is super important, and your ability to tie it directly to the work you would be doing.

Good luck!

[formerlyak]

Everyone has made great points. I've been in higher ed 20 years and have helped hire many people. One thing I hate in interviews are the people coming from corporate world who think they are superior. I am not saying you will do that, but I've had so many people interviewing for comms jobs who only have corporate experience trying to tell us how we should change things to mimic what they did in corporate world. That's not how it works.

Also, if they ask you about your weaknesses, I'd consider something like, "I have a lot of great experience in [fill in the blank with graphic design skills], but this would be my first job in higher ed, so I'd work hard to learn how to best apply those skills in this new environment."

When they ask why you want to move to higher ed, make sure you have done your homework and can give examples of things you like about their university that draws you to want to work there.

Good luck!

[BeagleMama]

Oct 5, 2021 9:47:13 GMT -5 ds1013 said:

Know things about the school - research just like you would a company, but see if there are words that stand out from their site or social media- for my university it is "community", knowing that word lets us know that you get the values of the institution.

Definitely agree with this. In my experiences on hiring committees, we want to hear that you at least of a cursory understanding of the university history, mission, strategic direction, branding, etc. I can't speak to where you may be interviewing but for myself and my colleagues, choosing to dedicate marketing talents to higher ed often has deep and personal connections to the university's mission and relationships. We want to see that potential employees are on the same page.

[georgeglass]

Do you know what part of the universities the job is for, like will you support alumni, admissions/enrollment, or fundraising - or is it broader?

Can't hurt to get to know some of the award-winning work from www.case.org/
www.case.org/awards/circle-excellence-awards/circle-excellence-award-areas-and-categories

and just knowing about CASE in general.

[bohemianmango]

Lots of good tips. I’ll add to the points about DEI and accessibility. Depending on the university and department, there may be some emphasis on Universal Design for Learning. CAST has great info on UDL. www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl

[redheadbaker]

Oct 5, 2021 14:17:33 GMT -5 BeagleMama said:

Oct 5, 2021 9:47:13 GMT -5 ds1013 said:

Know things about the school - research just like you would a company, but see if there are words that stand out from their site or social media- for my university it is "community", knowing that word lets us know that you get the values of the institution.

Definitely agree with this. In my experiences on hiring committees, we want to hear that you at least of a cursory understanding of the university history, mission, strategic direction, branding, etc. I can't speak to where you may be interviewing but for myself and my colleagues, choosing to dedicate marketing talents to higher ed often has deep and personal connections to the university's mission and relationships. We want to see that potential employees are on the same page.

One of them is my alma mater. 

[penelope]

Where I am the interview is just as much about finding the right person as being able to disqualify others. So, if they say "please provide an example of a time..." provide an example!!! If it's to provide an example of a time you used software to solve a problem, tell the problem and how you solved it. Don't just explain how well you know the software (people do this all the time in interviews). I'm not sure if that makes sense but.....If it comes down to a tie between two candidates and the search committee is split, something as simple as not answering the actual question could be the deciding factor. My advice is, listen to the actual question and answer the question asked.

I've also been on committees that have narrowed it down to two people and the scales tipped for one of them based on the questions asked at the end. When someone says no, they have no questions (or worse yet, ask how soon they can use vacation time, etc.) and you're comparing it to someone that had well researched questions about the university / department / position it matters.

And I agree, be prepared to wait a while before hearing an answer. Here everything has to be approved at multiple levels and it can take a while.

[mrsukyankee]

penelope, my husband entirely agrees with you on this (he hires a lot of people).

[rubytue]

Oct 6, 2021 11:36:20 GMT -5 penelope said:

Where I am the interview is just as much about finding the right person as being able to disqualify others. So, if they say "please provide an example of a time..." provide an example!!! If it's to provide an example of a time you used software to solve a problem, tell the problem and how you solved it. Don't just explain how well you know the software (people do this all the time in interviews).

I totally get what you are saying. We recently asked an interviewee to tell us about a document he wrote (we are very writing intensive engineering). He spent 10 minutes describing the engineering problem and what was wrong with someone else’s documentation, and then was like “does that address it?” Ummm. No. Not in the lease. 

Listening and answering the question asked is a key skill for any interview. 

[redheadbaker]

I had the phone screen with my alma mater this morning and it went really well! She said she'll email me to schedule the next step in the process