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.

"Working in housing has been incredibly fulfilling because of the opportunity to create meaningful support systems for graduate students, particularly international students. I love being able to bridge gaps in cultural understanding and ensure that students feel welcomed and valued. Additionally, leading professional development efforts for Graduate Assistants has been rewarding, as I get to help them navigate their careers and grow as professionals." — Diamond Bolden

"What I love most about working at The University of Arizona is all of the amazing people I have been surrounded by and continue to be! Our work can be challenging but having that community to support you who understands the challenges of the work we do makes every day better. Being able to build strong professional and personal relationships within your peer group is amazing." — Garrett Tomlin

"From my experience, the housing team works well together by communicating clearly and supporting one another. People are willing to step in when help is needed and share ideas to improve our work. That collaboration helps create a consistent and supportive environment for both staff and students." — Felina Herrera

"As a full-time Community Director also enrolled in the Higher Education PhD program at the U of A, my role has been flexible in being able to accommodate my class schedule changing each semester. Living on campus makes the late-night classes more manageable and gives me something else to connect with my student staff about. Plus, the decrease in graduation student fees and QTR coverage made going back to school an easy financial decision!" — Nat Sabinsky

"As a full-time housing staff member taking graduate courses, I have felt able to be fully immersed as a student. This is through support from my teammates and supervisors, like when there are projects or tasks in housing that relate to my academic pursuits - I often get asked for my expertise or to help out. In addition, the housing role helps cover my tuition, and the housing team supports my needs as a student like being able to change my work hours around for classes. It shows that housing cares about me as a professional and an academic." — Hannah Gentry

"Moving from Illinois and being away from family was a big transition, but being able to bring my dog, Chip, has made it so much easier. He’s even had play dates with other pro-staff dogs, which has been a fun and comforting part of our routine. I also have a husband, and the live-on policy has allowed me to continue my profession while accommodating the needs of my family. These benefits have truly made a positive impact on our experience here." — Felina Herrera

"Our housing team stands out when it comes to professional support and development because there are things in and outside of our roles that can help us grow. For example, I have funds to help me attend, learn, and present at a professional conference. But I also have the ability to advocate to supervise a graduate student or full-time staff member, or to run/co-run a housing committee. These varieties of professional support and development opportunities show housing's desire to help us all continue to grow."— Hannah Gentry

"Working in campus housing has given me incredible opportunities to grow in leadership, problem-solving, and student support. I’ve had the chance to advise Hall Council, host a large campus-wide event, and attend NACURH where I also served in an advising role. Additionally, attending the NASPA conference helped me gain valuable professional development. My experience at the University of Arizona has truly shaped me into a more confident and capable higher education professional." — Felina Herrera

"Be open to the possibilities of learning about different aspects of our work as student affairs professionals! While there are some tasks every CD is responsible for, there are also many opportunities to work in specific areas of your professional interests. From committees to building wide events and staff supervision, there is flexibility in the CD experience. Plus, we are a very interdisciplinary routine, and there is much to be learned from our peers!" — Nat Sabinsky

"I would encourage anyone considering this role to embrace adaptability and be open to learning. Housing is a fast-paced environment, but it offers immense growth in leadership, crisis management, and student engagement. The team here is supportive, and there’s a strong emphasis on professional development, making it a great place for those looking to advance in higher education." — Diamond Bolden