Sample Interview Questions printable pdf download

Columbia University

Sample Interview Questions

Graduate School of Arts &

Sciences Teaching Center

Questions about Research:

Advancing teaching and learning

1. Could you tell us about your dissertation?

2. Tell us briefly about the theoretical framework you used in

The Teaching Center is the go-to place

developing your research?

for practical advice about teaching. We

3. If you were to begin it again, are there any changes you would

can help you:

make in your dissertation?

▪ Successfully market your teaching

4. How would you explain the broader significance of your research

to an educated layperson?

▪ Deal with anxiety, challenges to your

5. What audiences are you addressing, what are the other hot books

authority, and other classroom issues

or scholars in your field, and how does your work compare with

▪ Design innovative courses, deliver

theirs?

scintillating, substantive lectures, and

lead stimulating discussions and labs.

6. How does your research address culture, language, race, or

ethnicity?

▪ Respond appropriately to shy,

7. What is the most significant piece of scholarship that you have

withdrawn, or disruptive students.

read in the last year?

8. What is the cutting edge in your field and how does your work

▪ Use technology more effectively.

extend it?

9. Describe your current research.

The Teaching Center offers:

10. What are your research plans for the next five years?

▪ Weekly workshops

11. Where do your research strengths lie? Why? What are your

▪ Individual consultations

research weaknesses? And how will you improve?

▪ Certification in pedagogy

12 What facilities do you need to carry out your research?

▪ Observations on your teaching

13. Your current research may require more (financial or

▪ A library of teaching, job search, and

technological) support than this institution is able to provide. How

publishing resources

will you deal with this? Do you have experience applying for

outside funding?

A catalyst for innovation, The Teaching

14. We see that you have done a lot of conference papers and

Center

presentations; we have limited professional development funds.

How do you feel about that as a limiting factor? (Will you continue

▪ Promotes interdisciplinary

to go and pay your own way? Will you resent the limitations?)

15. Tell us about a research project in which you've been involved

▪ Sponsors research in the science of

that was successful and one which was not. Why do you think these

learning

were the outcomes?

▪ Supports improvements in the

assessment of learning outcomes

Questions about Publication:

1. In what journals do you expect to publish your research?

▪ Works collaboratively to improve public

2. How will you go about revising your dissertation for publication?

education through community and

school partnerships

Questions about Research and Teaching:

1. Tell us how your research has influenced your teaching. In what

ways have you been able to bring the insights of your research to

To arrange a one-on-one consultation,

your courses at the undergraduate level?

contact:

2. How would you balance your teaching duties and your own

Steven Mintz

research plans?

smintz@columbia.edu

3. How would you involve graduate or undergraduate students in

212-854-1066

your research?

4. Would you be able to take on a graduate student immediately?

Sample Interview Questions

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