The Community College Interview

Mike Phillips
Illinois Valley Community College

Participants will learn about common components of the community college interview process.  A typical interview visit will be described, and sample questions will be presented and discussed.

In 2006, Katryn Wiese described the process quite well, the information below should be taken as an addendum.

At Illinois Valley CC, and all the CC’s with which I am familiar, the mission of the college and the demographics of the students are very similar.  Our application process is similar as well, with the following variations:

!	Human Resources coordinates the process, but does not participate in selection.
!	Selection committees are comprised of the division Dean and two to four faculty members (most from related disciplines, possibly the person exiting the position)
!	The selection committee helps develop the job description and interview questions
!	Applications are reviewed and scored by selection committee, applicants are selected for interview based on the composite scores
!	Phone interview
!	Campus interview: The interview process includes an interview with the committee, a discussion with someone from HR, a teaching demo, lunch with the division faculty (but not the Dean), a writing demo, a campus tour with the Dean, and possible interviews with the VP for Academic Affairs and the College President (see attached schedule page)
!	The decision is made by the Dean with advice from the committee and consent from the VPAA

What we look for:

!	Teaching experience at the college level
!	Breadth in the subject area
!	An understanding of teaching, learning, and assessment
!	Enthusiasm for teaching
!	Experience with technology
!	Enthusiasm for the community college environment and for our college (we do not want to hire someone who plans to leave right away)

Screening score categories: These are taken directly from the job posting, all of the items listed are worth “points,” the more of these items you have, the more likely you are to get an interview.  These same items are discussed by the committee after the interview.
•	Academic Performance: courses taken, interdisciplinary breadth, educated in science, (Master’s degree required)
•	Teaching Experience, college/high school experience a plus, participation in field experiences, courses taught, variety in course delivery methods including on-line
•	Professional Experience in the area of Science: job history, research, field work, resume listings
•	Technology: instructional technology experience, computer literacy, on-line or blended course delivery, GIS, web page development
•	Presentation of File: overall presentation of file, listing of special qualities which may include past or present experiences (things like committee work, student organization involvement, and community involvement)

Some interview questions (for an environmental science faculty position).  Notice that some questions address broad topics of teaching style or discipline knowledge, while others are very specific to the content covered in a course.  Note also the first two questions; these set the tone for the interview.
•	Why do you want to be a community college instructor?  How did you come to this decision? 
•	What have you done to improve your knowledge or skills in the past year?  Give us examples of how you keep current in your discipline.
•	What are the most effective pedagogies and course delivery methods for teaching environmental science?  Explain your answer.
•	Which aspects of resource consumption do you think are the most important to address in an environmental science course?  Why?
•	Which non-Natural Science discipline (i.e. economics, politics, ethics, etc.) has the greatest impact on environmental issues?  How would you cover this area in the environmental science course?
•	Which Environmental Science textbooks are you familiar with?  Which do you prefer?  Why?
•	How do you assess student understanding/learning other than through exams or quizzes?
•	Student interaction is not occurring in your classes.  Is this a problem?  What do you do?
•	Describe the characteristics you possess that demonstrate your ability to work well with students and colleagues.
•	What other obligations do you anticipate and would like to be involved in as a full-time Environmental Science instructor at IVCC?
•	Most likely, all of the candidates interviewed for this position will have the necessary education and experience, so what qualities would you bring to this position that perhaps other candidates would not?    

IVCC
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR

Interview Agenda

1.	Dean Greets Candidate – Lobby				8:05 - 8:10 am

2.	Benefits Review with Human Resources			8:10 - 8:25 am

3.	Meeting with Vice-President of Academic Affairs		8:30 - 9:00 am

4.	Interview with Selection Committee – C-325		9:00 - 10:00 am
		
5.	Break/Teaching Demonstration Set-Up			10:00-10:15 am
	
6.	Teaching Demonstration – A-321			10:15 – 10:45 am

8.	Break/Teaching Demonstration Take-down		10:45 - 11:00 am

9.	Meeting with Environmental Biology Faculty		11:00 – 11:45 am

10.	Lunch with Division Faculty – Board Room		11:45 – 12:30 pm

11.	Writing Exercise – Assessment Center			12:45 – 1:30 pm

12.	Meeting with President					1:30 – 2:00 pm
	
13.	Campus Tour						2:00 – 3:00 pm

14.	Wrap-Up with Dean					3:00 pm
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