If you are planning to appear for an interview for the post of academic advisor, you must have proper knowledge of child psychology and related fields. The other important areas include the maintenance of student records and effective communication with the parents or guardians. This role requires a lot of patience and hard work since dealing with students is no easy task. It is essential to prepare the academic portfolio well in advance.
Regularly meeting new people is also a crucial aspect of this job. Thus, the interviewer would try to decipher whether the aspirant is an introvert or an extrovert. Ambiverts also fare well in such jobs since too much talking leads to ignorance regarding the other party. Though natural traits cannot be worked upon, one can hone the presentation skills before the interview. This is sure to increase the chances of selection.
The Top 21 Interview Questions To Prepare Well
1. Elaborate On The Essence Of Effective Time Management By Students.
Sample Answer
Time management is essential for students since their input at the school and college level determines the output in later years when they will have to earn a living for themselves. Even the brightest minds should focus on better utilization of free time and plan breaks accordingly. I would suggest youngsters work as per the Pomodoro technique, if possible. This helps manage academics and extra-curricular activities efficiently.
2. Will You Be Able To Implement Age-Specific Parameters?
Sample Answer
Yes, this assertion can be substantiated by my experience, as mentioned in the resume. Since I have spent time with kids of all ages during my past work, I can easily handle them as per their requirements.
I feel that the best way to implement such measures is to create slabs of five years each and work accordingly. If any student is unable to understand like other students of the same age, the plan of the penultimate slab should be brought to light.
3. Imagine A Scenario In Which One Of Your Clients Is Unable To Cope-Up With The Academic Expectations. Provide A Solution For The Same.
Sample Answer
The answer to this question depends on the intensity of expectations. If the expectations are low and the client puts other activities over their studies, he or she should switch over. If the expectations are beyond manageable intensities, the student should begin ignoring them and focus on the course instead.
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4. How Would You Cater To The Needs Of Specially-Abled Students?
Sample Answer
While dealing with specially-abled students, extra care is to be taken. They should be heard diligently and then the solutions should be explained in whatever mode they prefer. In addition, a separate dedicated session should be conducted for their mental wellbeing.
5. Mention The Most Important Trait Of An Academician.
Sample Answer
The most important trait of an academician is effective listening. There is a lot of hue and cry about public speaking as a means of effective communication but the essence lies in listening first.
6. Are Grades More Important Than Intrinsic Knowledge?
Sample Answer
Grades have no importance in my opinion. The intrinsic pool of knowledge a student has a high value in the real world. Grades would matter only if the examinations were designed to test the applications of knowledge instead of solely testing the rote learning skills of the students.
7. Describe The Importance Of Psychometric Aptitude Tests.
Sample Answer
Psychometric aptitude tests hold high significance in the daily lives of academic advisors. While deciding the right career path, the scores on these tests help both the advisor and the student. They also act as proof to be shown to the guardians in support of the students’ aspirations.
8. What Is More Important – Planning Or Implementation?
Sample Answer
According to me, planning is more important than implementation. The plan is the basis of implementation since it is more closely related to the results. In other words, a good plan leads to good implementation in most cases unless the executors are ignorant of their jobs.
9. How Effectively Can You Draft A Course Curriculum For Students?
Sample Answer
I have been involved in the creation of courses for college students for the past two years. Therefore, it is a work in my comfort zone. I try to include more factual questions so that subjectivity in answers can be reduced.
10. Do You Have Any Experience As An Academic Advisor? State In Brief.
Sample Answer
No, I have no prior experience as an academic advisor.
11. What Are Your Top Two Strengths And Weaknesses?
Sample Answer
My top two strengths include consistency and softness of speech. On the other hand, my top two weaknesses are over-sensitive nature and perfectionism.
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12. What Changes (Positive Or Negative) Will This Job Bring In Your Life?
Sample Answer
This change will bring both positive and negative changes to my life. I would be able to pursue my dream career but at the same time, discontinue my online webinars. This does not ail me much since this job is worth sacrificing those sessions.
13. How Can Students Learn From Their Failures?
Sample Answer
Learning from failures is possible only if the student interprets that failure as his or her own instead of passing the blame to situations or other people. I feel that the questions one gets wrong in the test are remembered for a longer time than the correct ones.
14. Is This The Role You Originally Opted For Or Is It The Last Resort?
Sample Answer
I originally opted for this role since I am passionate about understanding the psyche of young minds. In addition, this role allows me to enhance my communication skills.
15. What Would Be Your Message To Fellow Academic Advisors?
Sample Answer
They should try to understand the other party completely before jumping to any sort of conclusion.
16. Is Setting Goals Really Worth It?
Sample Answer
As far as the goals are realistic, they are worth the hype. Students mostly set unrealistic goals after getting attracted by fiction stories and other sources. This is the cause of all their miseries. Goals should be of two types, that is, short-term goals and long-term goals. The former should be dealt with in bits and pieces.
17. What Has Been Your Worst Experience In This Field Till Date?
Sample Answer
A few months ago, a student tried to blackmail parents for switching the career field. The issue reached me and the whole blame was then transferred on my shoulders. I produced the documentation of our conversation to the authorities in the natural state. The student was then sent for counseling.
18. How Will You Tackle Repetitive Questions?
Sample Answer
I would tackle repetitive questions by understanding the hidden meaning. Also, I would introspect a bit and try to step into the shoes of the student so that I can provide a better solution. In case the student is still not satisfied, I would try to reframe the question for him/her.
19. As An Academic Advisor, What Would Be Your Priorities While Dealing With Students Who Are New Admissions?
Sample Answer
Dealing with new admissions would require an introductory approach. Instead of expecting them to act as per the guidelines, I would focus on making them understand how the system works. Further, I would help them out in all possible ways if they would be facing issues while adjusting to the new curriculum.
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20. Suppose You Had A Bad Start To A Day Which Devastated Your Mood And A Student Needs Your Help Urgently. How Will You Manage Such A Situation?
Sample Answer
I will try my best to set aside the ill effect of the bad mood. Then, I would patiently listen to the problems faced by the student and even ask him/her to repeat the same. If the solution can be postponed, I would prefer to do so. Else, I would apply existing knowledge and help out the student to the best of my intention.
21. If A Student Comes To You Seeking Advice For Curbing Distractions, What Would Be Your Probable Suggestion?
Sample Answer
In such a case, I would suggest the student firstly accepts the fact that there are distractions instead of shunning the same. Once the existing issues are identified, proper tips will be formulated like the silencing of notifications, studying at the same place, and others. This will be a subjective suggestion based on the mental capacity of the student.
References
- https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA18960226&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00131172&p=AONE&sw=w
- https://meridian.allenpress.com/nacada-journal/article-abstract/29/1/5/36370
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Sandeep Bhandari is the founder of PrepMyCareer.com website.
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