The Top 10 Montclair State University Interview Questions and How to Ace Your Interview

Interviewing for a job at Montclair State University? You’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will reveal the top 10 most commonly asked interview questions at Montclair State along with tips and examples to help you craft winning responses.

As New Jersey’s second largest university with over 20,000 students, Montclair State is a thriving hub of academic excellence and innovation. Competition for jobs here is stiff, so standing out during the interview process is key.

While every position and department will have its own unique questions, certain themes and areas of assessment tend to come up frequently across MSU interviews according to insider perspectives shared on Glassdoor. Mastering these will put you ahead of the curve and one step closer to joining the Montclair State community.

Let’s dive right in to the top 10 questions

1. Why are you interested in working at Montclair State University?

This question allows you to demonstrate your passion for the university and the alignment between your goals and MSU’s values. Be specific by highlighting particular programs or attributes that resonate with you. For example, you might say:

“I’m deeply impressed by Montclair State’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. As someone who values those principles, I’m excited to contribute to fostering an environment where all students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed.”

2. What experience do you have that makes you a strong candidate for this position?

This is your chance to connect the dots between your skills, accomplishments, and the role you’re applying for. Pick 2-3 key requirements from the job description and provide examples of times you demonstrated those abilities:

“I have 3 years of experience managing events budgets up to $50k in my previous role at ABC Company. I spearheaded vendor negotiations to reduce spending by 15% while maintaining high quality. This budget management expertise would enable me to optimize resources in this Events Coordinator position.”

3. How would you handle a difficult coworker?

With this behavioral question, hiring managers want to know you can deal with workplace challenges professionally. A strong answer involves:

• Understanding their perspective
• Open communication
• Finding common ground

For example: “First, I would request a one-on-one meeting to better understand their viewpoint. Without judgment, I would hear them out, then share my perspective. From there, I would work to find where our approaches align regarding team and student success. I would also establish open lines of communication moving forward and set shared goals we both have buy-in on.”

4. How do you prioritize tasks when everything seems high priority?

At busy MSU, juggling multiple priorities is key. Demonstrate your time management and organization skills by walking through how you:

• Categorize based on importance/urgency
• Use tools like lists and calendars
• Communicate with managers on priorities
• Remain flexible to changing circumstances

“I use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on urgency and impact. I set daily goals each morning and track them in my calendar, re-prioritizing as needed. For high-priority projects with tight deadlines, I create project plans to streamline workflows and accelerate progress. I also communicate regularly with leadership on priority projects. This structured yet flexible approach enables me to stay focused when facing multiple urgent tasks.”

5. What is your teaching philosophy?

For faculty roles, interviewers want to understand your approach to educating students. Share methods you use to:

• Make content engaging
• Support diverse learning styles
• Encourage critical thinking

“My teaching philosophy centers around student engagement through variety and active learning. I incorporate case studies, hands-on activities, and open-ended discussions to pique students’ curiosity and interactivity. Understanding students have diverse learning styles, I utilize visual aids, peer learning, and experiential projects to provide a multi-modal experience. My goal is to create a stimulating environment where students take ownership of their education and feel empowered to think critically.”

6. How do you stay current in your field?

MSU prides itself on academic excellence, so continuing education is a priority. Discuss how you actively participate in:

• Conferences and presentations
• Academic journals and publications
• Professional development courses
• Industry groups and networking

“I make it a priority to continuously expand my knowledge in my field through multifaceted approaches. I regularly present at industry conferences and attend training workshops to remain up-to-date on emerging issues and methodologies. Additionally, I serve as a peer reviewer for two academic journals related to my expertise area which provides valuable insight. Outside of formal education, I sustain connections through several professional associations and mesh insights from these networks into both my research and teaching.”

7. Tell me about a time you successfully persuaded a resistant person to get on board with an idea or initiative.

MSU values collaboration and relationship building. This question assesses your ability to gain alignment and commitment from others. Use the STAR method to describe how you:

• Understood their viewpoint
• Communicated benefits
• Addressed concerns
• Achieved agreement

“When our team proposed transitioning to a new registration system, one of the department heads was skeptical and resistant to change. I scheduled a 1-on-1 meeting to understand his concerns, which centered around the time investment required to learn the new technology. I then highlighted specific benefits the system would provide, such as automating manual processes to save time long-term. To address his primary hesitation, I suggested phasing in the rollout and having his team attend personalized training sessions. This tailored approach resonated with him and ultimately secured his buy-in and support.”

8. How would you contribute to Montclair State’s diverse community?

Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental values at MSU. Share how you would proactively promote these on campus through your work. Examples might include:

• Ensuring events/curricula represent diverse groups
• Participating in cultural awareness training
• Fostering an inclusive environment on your team

“I would contribute to MSU’s diversity by advocating for traditionally marginalized groups across campus programs and initiatives. For example, I would conduct outreach to ensure student government elections and educational events reflect the full diversity of the student body in both programming and promotion. Within my department, I would support DEI training for my team and collaborate cross-functionally to amplify voices and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented.”

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hiring managers want to gauge your long-term fit and growth potential. In your response, convey your aspirations aligned with continued impact and growth at MSU.

“In 5 years, my goal is to be thriving in a Senior Accountant role here at Montclair State, having advanced from Accountant to Lead Accountant. I hope to serve as a mentor to junior staff while continuing to maximize process efficiency and cost savings through improved financial systems and controls. I’m committed to growing my expertise and value to MSU through continued education and innovation in improving university operations and decision making with data insights.”

10. Do you have any questions for us?

This is your chance to show thoughtfulness and enthusiasm by asking smart, well-researched questions based on your personal motivations. Focus on the department, team, growth opportunities, or organizational strengths and priorities you would find helpful to better understand.

Some examples:

• “How would you describe the culture on your team?”
• “What are some of the key initiatives or goals for your department this year?”
• “What professional development opportunities are available for helping employees advance their careers here?”

With preparation and practice, you can feel empowered to ace the interview process at Montclair State. Mastering expected questions along with your own thoughtful inquiries will leave a lasting positive impression and put you on the path to joining the diverse and accomplished MSU community. We wish you the very best!