Join our Wildcat Pack

We want your interview experience to be informative, engaging, and transparent. Throughout the process, we strive to:

• Keep you informed about the interview process and what to expect.
• Communicate frequently with relevant details and updates.
• Create an environment where you feel confident and prepared to showcase your skills, experiences, and knowledge.
• Provide space for you to ask questions and get to know us as individuals and as a team.

To ensure you feel prepared, we will provide:

• The number of questions and estimated length of the interview.
• The general topics of the questions.
• A tentative timeline for the interview process.
• General understanding of who will be present at each interview.

• We will begin with introductions and an overview of the interview format.
• If your interview is virtual, we will paste questions into the chat for easy reference.
• If your interview is in person, we will provide a written copy of the questions.
• We will offer a time check about halfway through the interview.
• You will have the opportunity to ask us questions at the end.

• Many of our questions are based on the position description. Familiarize yourself with the role’s functional areas and reflect on relevant experiences and skills that align.
• Consider examples that highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, qualifications, work approach, values, and professional philosophy.
• Be ready to articulate how you would apply your expertise in the position.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask us—this is also your opportunity to get to know us. Here are some tips regarding questions:
  • Ask open-ended and intentional questions to determine if a job is a good fit for you.
  • Ask questions that help you align your values with the organization's values.
  • We love sharing about our own professional journeys, our students, department, institution, and Tucson Community, just to name a few.
  • We want you to ask questions that help you make well-informed decisions on your next place of employment!
  • Review the website to generate ideas (but we suggest asking questions that are not already explicitly answered on the website).

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We want to get to know you—share your story and experiences in a way that reflects who you are. By staying authentic, thoughtful, and engaged, you can ensure a strong interview experience.

• Our questions typically fall into four categories: traditional, behavioral, situational, and competency-based.
• Consider using structured response techniques, such as the S.T.A.R. Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), to effectively communicate your experiences.
• Stay engaged and adaptable—listen carefully, ask for clarification if needed, and feel comfortable in taking a moment to pause to take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding.
• We understand that technical difficulties may arise during a virtual interview. If issues occur, we will work with you to troubleshoot and find a solution. Don’t let technical challenges affect your confidence—we’re here to support you.

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Here are growth opportunities we've noticed during past candidate interviews, along with some actionable tips for improvement:

1. Lack of Specific Examples
   • Responses can be too general or vague.
   • Tip: Use the S.T.A.R. Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide structured, clear examples in your answers.
2. Not Connecting Responses to the Role
   • Answers may not clearly demonstrate an understanding of the position.
   • Tip: Relate your experiences directly to the job description, showcasing how your skills will benefit the role.
3. Not Showcasing Skills and Impact
   • Candidates often focus on listing responsibilities rather than showcasing their accomplishments.
   • Tip: Highlight your achievements and explain how your contributions made a meaningful difference in your previous roles.
4. Pacing Issues
   • Some candidates either provide overly brief responses or run out of time.
   • Tip: We’ll provide the number of questions and the expected length of the interview ahead of time. Use this to manage your time and provide thoughtful answers.

Tucson is a globally-recognized food destination. Tucson is the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in North America; recognized for its history of culinary distinctiveness. Explore The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food, where you can eat tacos, the original chimichanga, and the Sonoran hot dog.

Visit the white dove of the desert, the San Xavier Del Bac Mission. Get up-close to a mountain lion at the open-air Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Wander one the world’s largest aerospace museums: The Pima Air and Space Museum. Or, look to the stars from Kitt Peak National Observatory. See more of Tucson’s must-sees.

Many compare Tucson to Austin and Portland – it’s a little quirky, and has a lot of character. A college town through-and-through, Tucson welcomes and supports University of Arizona students. There are more than 1 million people who live in the Tucson metro area, and whether you’re a local or an out-of-state student, you’ll feel at home.

Surrounded by five breathtaking mountain ranges, Tucson is an outdoor playground. Cycling is popular here – from cruising on campus to biking the 131-mile Loop. Wildcats love hiking Tumamoc Hill, near downtown; to the waterfalls of Seven Falls; and among the pine trees on Mount Lemmon. Also on Mount Lemmon: skiing and snowboarding.

Tucson is cooler and wetter than Phoenix, thanks to its 2,643-foot elevation and the surrounding mountains. Tucson is in the Sonoran Desert; however, the University of Arizona is in the city’s metropolitan center. Tucson’s heat is at its peak from June through August; however, spectacular summer monsoons lower temperatures.

There are many annual events to look forward to in Tucson. Admire glittery jewels at the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase – the largest and oldest in the world. A beloved tradition is the Tucson Rodeo & Parade, which began in 1925. The All Souls Procession honors and remembers, and ends with an urn lit ablaze.

Tucson’s name is derived from the Tohono O’odham Cuk Ṣon, meaning “(at the) base of the black [hill],” a reference to Sentinel Peak – otherwise known as “A” Mountain. The Santa Cruz River valley has been home to cultures including the Paleo-Indians and the Hohokam. Tucson was officially founded by the Spanish in 1775, when Hugo O’Conor authorized the construction of a military fort: Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón.