Question Overview: RAs are constantly making tough choices, from enforcing the rules to dealing with conflicts between residents. This question reveals how a candidate will handle these situations.
Sample Answer: I had to decide whether or not to report a student for smoking marijuana in his room. I knew that if I reported him, he would be kicked out of the dorm, but I also knew that he was a great resident who had never caused any problems before. Ultimately, I decided not to report him because he was a good guy who made a mistake.
Question Overview: This is a great opportunity to get a sense of a candidate’s motivations and interests. It’s also an opportunity to learn about their understanding of the role and their expectations for the position.
Sample Answer: I want to be an RA because I want to make a difference in the lives of students. I’m passionate about helping people, and I think this position would allow me to do that on a daily basis. I’m also interested in becoming an RA because it would give me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and learn how to manage a team.
Question Overview: This question is designed to help you learn more about the candidate’s personality and work style. It also gives you the opportunity to assess whether or not they have the skills and experience you’re looking for.
Sample Answer: I’m a great communicator and I’m always willing to help out my friends. I’m also very organized and I’m able to stay on top of my workload. I’m a hard worker and I’m always willing to go above and beyond for my friends.
Question Overview: RAs are often the first people students turn to when they need help. This question reveals how a candidate would react in a crisis situation.
Sample Answer: I would assess the situation and determine the best course of action. I would then contact my supervisor and follow his or her instructions. If the situation was serious enough, I would call 911.
Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn about a candidate’s self-awareness and self-confidence. It also helps you gauge their enthusiasm for the position.
Sample Answer: I’m a great fit for this position because I’m outgoing and love interacting with people. I’m also very organized and have a knack for problem-solving. I’m very excited to be an RA because it will give me the opportunity to help residents and build community.
Question Overview: Favoritism is a serious issue for RAs. This question reveals a candidate’s ability to set aside personal relationships and treat everyone fairly.
Sample Answer: I would make sure that I was aware of my friend’s behavior and enforce the rules fairly. I would also make sure that my friend knew that I was not going to treat him differently than any other resident.
Question Overview: Residence life is full of surprises, and this question helps you find out how a candidate will react to the unexpected.
Sample Answer: I was working at a summer camp for children with special needs when one of the counselors quit unexpectedly. I had to quickly take over her duties and organize a new staff schedule. I was able to handle the situation by staying calm and thinking through my options.
Question Overview: A program is a great way to get residents involved in the hall and build community. This question reveals a candidate’s ability to think creatively and develop an effective marketing plan.
Sample Answer: I would create a program that would encourage residents to get to know each other on a deeper level. I would plan a weekly trivia night, where residents could win prizes for their floor. I would also create a Facebook page for my hall and use it as a platform to advertise programs and events.
Question Overview: This question reveals a candidate’s understanding of the role of an RA and their ability to effectively communicate their strengths and weaknesses.
Sample Answer: A great RA is someone who is a leader, has strong communication skills and is able to work with a variety of people. I think I have all of these qualities. I’m a leader because I’m always willing to help out my friends and I’m always looking for ways to improve my community. I have strong communication skills because I’m always willing to talk with my residents and listen to their concerns. I’m also able to work with a variety of people because I’m open-minded and friendly.
Question Overview: This question reveals a candidate’s character and passion. It also gives you an opportunity to learn more about the candidate’s personal life.
Sample Answer: My proudest achievement is my involvement in the Special Olympics. I’ve been volunteering with the organization for five years and have been a coach for the past three. I love working with the athletes and helping them achieve their goals.
Question Overview: This question reveals a candidate’s problem-solving skills and ability to think on their feet.
Sample Answer: I was in a difficult situation when I was a freshman in high school. My parents were going through a divorce and I was struggling to balance my schoolwork with my extracurricular activities. I had to make a lot of sacrifices, but I was able to get through it by prioritizing my time and asking for help from my teachers.
Question Overview: This question reveals a candidate’s personal preferences and helps you understand if they’re a good fit for your school.
Sample Answer: I’ve heard great things about the community at _____ Hall. I’m really interested in working there.
Question Overview: This question reveals a candidate’s awareness and appreciation of diversity.
Sample Answer: I’ve experienced diversity in my own life by having friends from different backgrounds and cultures. I’ve also dealt with diversity by working with people from different backgrounds in my job at the student center.
Question Overview: This question reveals a candidate’s creativity and passion for the position. It also helps you gauge their ability to think outside the box and plan innovative activities that will benefit the residents.
Sample Answer: I would host a huge carnival on campus with free food, games and prizes. I’d also organize a talent show with prizes for the best acts.
Question Overview: Social justice is the fair and equitable treatment of all people. This question helps you find out if a candidate has a clear understanding of the term and how they would apply it to their work as an RA.
Sample Answer: Social justice is the fair and equitable treatment of all people. It’s about ensuring that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. I would use this definition to help me create a safe and inclusive environment for all residents in my hall.
Question Overview: Self-motivation is the ability to take initiative and complete tasks without being told what to do. This question reveals a candidate’s self-awareness and their ability to take initiative.
Sample Answer: Self-motivation means that I am able to take initiative and complete tasks without being told what to do. I am a very independent person who is confident in my abilities and willing to take on new challenges. I am also very organized and have a strong sense of time management.
Question Overview: Being unbiased is essential to being an effective RA. This question reveals how a candidate would handle a situation where they’re forced to take a side.
Sample Answer: I would try to understand both sides of the situation and then come up with a solution that works for everyone. I would also try to find out why the conflict occurred in the first place so that I could prevent it from happening again.
Question Overview: Diversity is a hot-button issue on college campuses, and RAs are often the first point of contact for students who are struggling with issues of race, gender, sexual orientation and more. This question reveals how a candidate would handle these situations.
Sample Answer: I would make sure to listen to everyone’s point of view and try to understand where they’re coming from. I would also encourage residents to share their feelings with me so that I can help them work through their problems.
Question Overview: This question reveals how a candidate handles conflict and how they resolve disputes.
Sample Answer: I was working at a summer camp and had to mediate between two kids who were fighting over a toy. I asked them to describe what happened and then I asked each of them what they thought the other person’s intentions were. After that, I asked them to come up with a solution together. They ended up sharing the toy and were able to resolve the conflict.
Question Overview: Diversity is a broad term that encompasses many different aspects of a person’s identity. This question reveals how a candidate defines diversity and what they believe diversity means to the college community.
Sample Answer: Diversity is the acceptance of people from different backgrounds and cultures. I believe that diversity makes our campus stronger and more inclusive.