Faculty Interview Prep Questions

You are a recently minted graduate and ready to enter the world of academia. You have a couple of interviews lined up and anticipate they will ask you, Do have any questions? How do you know what you don’t know? 

Listen keenly in the interview and take notes. Once you have heard what they have offered, here’s a practical checklist you could keep on your phone and use during the interview.

Technology & Course Management

• What learning management system do you use—Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or something else?

• Is there a standard course shell or template I will receive?

• Could you send me a sample syllabus that includes the university’s required policies?

• Are there specific syllabus statements or policies I am required to include?

• Who reviews or approves the syllabus before the semester begins?

• Who do I send my finalized syllabus to, and when is it due?

• How are grades entered—through the LMS or another university system?

• Is there a specific grading system or grading scale I am expected to use?

• Are attendance, midterm, and final grades submitted through a separate system?

Onboarding & Getting Started

• What does the new faculty onboarding process look like?

• Is there an orientation for new faculty?

• Who will be my main contact if I have questions during my first semester?

• Will I receive training on the university’s technology and academic systems?

• When will I receive access to the LMS and other systems?

Email, Accounts & Technology

• Who sets up my university email account?

• When should I expect to receive my email and login credentials?

• Will I have access to Microsoft Office/Google Workspace and other faculty software?

• Will I have access to the library’s research databases from off campus?

• Is there a faculty portal where I can access important forms and information?

Office & Meeting Students

• Will I have a faculty office?

• Is the office shared or private?

• Will I have access to a space where I can meet privately with students?

• When will I receive my office assignment and keys/access card?

• Are there office hours I am required to hold?

Parking & Campus Access

• How do I get a parking permit/decal?

• Is parking free for faculty, or is there a fee?

• Where are faculty typically expected to park?

• How do I get my faculty ID?

• Will my ID provide access to buildings after hours?

Contract, Payroll & Benefits

• When should I expect to receive my contract?

• Who should I contact if I have questions about the contract?

• When will I receive information about benefits and enrollment?

• When is the first paycheck?

• Is there anything I need to complete before I can be placed on payroll?

Teaching Expectations

• How many courses/credits is a typical teaching load?

• How many students are typically in each class?

• Are courses already developed, or am I expected to build them from scratch?

• Are textbooks and course materials selected by the department or faculty member?

• Are there required assessments or learning outcomes for the course?

• How are student evaluations conducted?

Department & Faculty Life

• What meetings am I expected to attend?

• How often does the department meet?

• Are faculty expected to serve on committees during their first year?

• Are there department or university events where faculty are expected to participate?

• Who should I go to for departmental questions versus university-wide questions?

Research & Professional Development

Since you're transitioning into an academic position, I'd definitely ask these too:

• What research support is available to faculty?

• Is there funding for conferences or professional development?

• Are there internal grants for research or teaching?

• What research databases, software, or other resources are available?

• What are the expectations for scholarship and service?

• Is there a formal mentoring program for new faculty?

The 10 I Would Prioritize

If you don't want to overwhelm the interviewers, I'd have these 10 at the top of your list:

1. When will I receive my contract?

2. When will I receive my university email and system access?

3. What LMS do you use, and when will I get access to my courses?

4. Could you provide a sample syllabus with all required university policies?

5. Who reviews my syllabus, and when is it due?

6. How and where are final and midterm grades entered?

7. Will I have an office or a private space to meet with students?

8. How do I get my faculty ID, keys/access card, and parking permit?

9. What does new-faculty orientation/onboarding look like?

10. Who will be my primary contact when I have questions during my first semester?

One particularly useful question to add is: “What is something you wish new faculty knew before starting here?” That question can uncover all sorts of practical information that isn't in the faculty handbook.