By Mike Simpson
Working as a college counselor is extremely rewarding, permitting you to play a essential position within the success of scholars. Whereas alternatives are plentiful, candidates want to face out from the competitors in the event that they’re going to land a brand new place. Since that’s the case, you have to just be sure you’re prepared for the college counselor interview questions that’ll get tossed your approach.
Thankfully, with a little bit of preparation, it’s straightforward to prepare for what’s forward. If you wish to be a part of the ranks of the 118,000 college counselors supporting Okay-12 colleges or are concerned with furthering your profession, right here’s all the pieces you have to find out about tackling college counseling interview questions.
The right way to Reply Faculty Counselor Interview Questions
Earlier than we check out the highest ten college counselor interview questions and solutions, it’s good to take a second to speak about your interview technique. Whereas most of the interview questions for college counselors are predictable, there’s all the time an opportunity that the hiring supervisor will ask you one thing sudden. With the suitable methods by your facet, you’ll have the ability to deal with these unanticipated questions.
In lots of circumstances, working as a college counselor comes with many challenges. Whereas the beneficial ratio of scholars to highschool counselors is 250:1, the common ratio in excessive colleges is nearer to 430:1. Because of this, many college counselors have very full plates.
Why does that matter? Primarily, it’s as a result of hiring managers need to discover candidates that may deal with intense workloads whereas remaining compassionate and supportive, which generally is a tall order.
Nonetheless, college counselor candidates additionally have to showcase greater than that. The power to work successfully with directors, academics, college students, and oldsters is paramount. Because of this, you’ll encounter questions targeted on these areas.
Moreover, the hiring supervisor will need to see that you’ve got stable methods for managing frequent eventualities. Lastly, information of relevant legal guidelines is deemed a should, so that you’ll normally want to debate these, as effectively.
So, how do you create excellent solutions? By beginning with analysis.
Begin by reviewing the job description fastidiously to find out about any must-have abilities or expertise. Don’t simply take a look at the listed necessities, too, as different elements of the job description could embody insights into traits the hiring supervisor needs to seek out or the college’s tradition.
After that, spend time on the college’s and district’s web sites. Find out about their missions and values, in addition to any instructional struggles or priorities. That approach, you may incorporate a few of these particulars, too.
In terms of methods to reply the college counselor interview questions, conventional ones are fairly easy. The hiring supervisor will ask when you’ve got a talent or sure forms of expertise. Then, you may both say sure and comply with that up with an instance or no and rapidly pivot to showcase your willingness to study.
With behavioral and situational interview questions for college counselor positions, you’ll want a special approach. By combining the STAR Methodology and the Tailoring Methodology, you may create thorough, related, compelling solutions that enhance your odds of impressing the hiring supervisor.
Prime 10 Faculty Counselor Interview Questions
In lots of circumstances, college counselor interviews are extremely comparable, as most hiring managers have the identical broader objectives. Because of this, you should utilize most of the extra frequent college counseling interview questions to organize.
Right here’s a take a look at our prime ten college counselor interview questions and solutions.
1. Why did you determine to grow to be a college counselor?
In lots of circumstances, this query is used as an icebreaker. It permits the hiring supervisor to study extra about your core motivations and keenness for the work. Ideally, you’ll need to supply a private story that showcases why you took an interest on this area.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“My preliminary curiosity in turning into a college counselor started in highschool. Throughout my sophomore yr, I used to be fighting a house matter, inflicting my grades to drop dramatically. Considered one of my academics took discover of the change and referred me to the college counselor for assist.
In the end, that faculty counselor was a blessing. She took the time to get to know me, demonstrating a transparent curiosity within the challenges I used to be going through, and I rapidly considered her as a trusted confidante. She made suggestions, linked me with assets, and gave me the instruments to beat my difficulties. In the long run, I grew to become a profitable pupil as soon as extra due to her, and that impressed my want to do the identical for others.”
2. What do you get pleasure from most about working with college students, and what do you get pleasure from least?
In lots of circumstances, this two-part query feels difficult, primarily as a result of the second half requires talking about elements of the job you dislike. Nonetheless, you may craft a powerful reply that doesn’t contain badmouthing college students.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“What I get pleasure from most about working with college students is the power to offer younger individuals with essential assist. Many college students face robust obstacles and challenges, together with academically, socially, and emotionally. Having an opportunity to offer them with assets and steerage is extremely rewarding.
Moreover, I significantly get pleasure from having the chance to forge robust relationships with college students. I get the occasional go to or message from former college students, thanking me for offering them with the assist they wanted to finish college and, in the end, launch profitable lives. That makes any of the challenges I expertise extremely worthwhile.
As for what I get pleasure from least, the one factor that sometimes will get to me is once I put in a big quantity of effort to assist a pupil, and the scenario in the end doesn’t resolve. It leaves me questioning if I took the mistaken path, even when I do know that I exercised sound judgment and gave it my easiest. It’s merely disheartening to see an adolescent proceed to battle, so I think about that probably the most difficult facet of working with college students.”
3. Are you able to inform me a few time whenever you efficiently resolved a battle between a trainer and a pupil?
Faculty counselors typically play a significant position in resolving conflicts between college students and academics. With this query, you need to present an instance of a time whenever you succeeded in tackling these difficult conditions.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“In my final place as a college counselor, there was a battle between a more recent pupil who had transferred in that yr and an English trainer. The coed was a senior, had a stable educational document, and was even taking AP English.
In line with the trainer, the coed was disengaged throughout a module a few particular e book. The coed was typically shirking requests to participate in classroom discussions or comparable group actions regarding the e book, which was disruptive.
After talking with the trainer concerning the points, I requested about their efficiency in regard to their homework assignments, checks, quizzes, and comparable work. The trainer admitted the coed was receiving very excessive marks.
I then spoke with the coed to see why they weren’t engaged. It turned out that this was the coed’s third highschool, and the opposite two had been in different states and used totally different approaches to the curriculum. This was the coed’s third time overlaying this e book, as the opposite two colleges additionally used it, simply at totally different grade ranges. In the end, the problem was boredom.
I met with the trainer and pupil to current what I’d realized. Collectively, we had been then capable of create a plan that allowed the coed to discover different works for particular person classroom assignments in change for participating in group discussions whereas this e book was the main focus. In the end, it boosted the coed’s engagement and prevented disruptions, resulting in a optimistic final result.”
MIKE’S TIP: Should you’re searching for your first job as a college counselor, it’s possible you’ll not have an instance to offer. If that’s the case, you should utilize one among two approaches. First, you may let the hiring supervisor know that, as a brand new counselor, you don’t have any expertise resolving conflicts between a trainer and pupil, and comply with that up with the steps you’d take in the event you encounter that scenario. Second, as an alternative of outlining the way you’d hypothetically deal with it, you may talk about a time the place you performed a task in resolving one other sort of battle, equivalent to between two former work colleagues or two college students on a mission you labored on in school. Both choice allows you to showcase your abilities, so select the one which showcases you in the most effective gentle.
4. If a pupil expressed an curiosity in dropping out, what would you do?
For candidates which are making use of for college counselor positions in excessive colleges, there’s a great probability you’ll encounter this query. The hiring supervisor needs to know that you’ve got a technique in place for aiding college students who imagine that dropping out if their most suitable choice.
Ideally, you need to steadiness empathy and assist with a agency perception that finishing highschool is the coed’s most suitable option.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“If a pupil informed me they had been fascinated about dropping out, my first step can be to ask them why. That offers me a chance to see what’s probably motivating their resolution, permitting me to find out what sort of assist or assets could assist them overcome obstacles and full their training.
At that time, I’d work to develop a assist system for the coed whereas additionally guaranteeing that they know I’m accessible. Moreover, I’d join them with numerous assets. For example, in the event that they had been struggling academically, I’d discover tutoring choices or interact with the academics to see if they may present further help.
In the end, the purpose can be to create a path for them to graduate, guaranteeing the coed had all the pieces they wanted to succeed.”
5. How does the college counselor assist the college’s total mission?
Right here, the hiring supervisor is attempting to see in the event you perceive the core position of a college counselor within the broader context of the college’s mission. Typically, meaning specializing in educational and social success, in addition to forging connections and offering entry to assets to offer emotional assist.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“General, I imagine college counselors assist a college’s mission by offering assist, steerage, and entry to assets that assist college students obtain educational objectives whereas making a tradition that’s supportive, inclusive, and protected. Advocacy and collaboration are massive elements of the job, guaranteeing college students’ wants are met and that any conflicts or challenges are promptly and accurately addressed.
Moreover, college counselors play a significant position in aiding academics. Whereas college counselors can lay the groundwork for enhancements within the classroom, academics are those who must execute many plans. Because of this, open communication with academics is important, in addition to offering them with assist.
Lastly, college counselors additionally work with dad and mom to encourage involvement. Since parental engagement is a big a part of the success equation, it’s a essential accountability that may additionally assist the college’s mission.”
6. What would you do if a pupil didn’t need to speak to you?
In lots of circumstances, college counselors spend a big period of time working with college students who’re experiencing emotional or social struggles. Whereas some could also be fast to open up, others will resist the concept. Because of this, the hiring supervisor needs to know that you’ve got a fundamental technique for encouraging them to debate their challenges so to present help.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“First, I firmly imagine that attempting to drive a pupil to discuss their challenges is usually ineffective. As a substitute, I start by guaranteeing college students view me as a protected particular person to speak to, so I give attention to creating a normal rapport to extend their consolation stage.
Moreover, I make it possible for they know I’m all the time accessible and that I’m keen to adapt to their wants. For instance, in the event that they’re involved concerning the social ramifications of assembly in my workplace throughout college hours, I’ll discover another location – equivalent to an unoccupied classroom – or make myself accessible after hours to provide them a way of privateness.
In lots of circumstances, college students initially want some area. In the event that they aren’t prepared to speak instantly, then I’ll preserve specializing in the rapport and plan for normal check-ins. That approach, as soon as they’re prepared, I’ll be there.”
7. What are you aware about FERPA?
This is without doubt one of the college counselor interview questions designed to check your information about relevant legal guidelines. This one focuses on the Household Academic Rights and Privateness Act (FERPA).
The hiring supervisor’s purpose is to make sure you have a stable thought of what it entails and the way it applies to your position as a college counselor. Whereas FERPA is advanced, your reply might be easy. A easy overview is often sufficient so long as it reveals you’re aware of the legislation.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“FERPA is a federal legislation that focuses on privateness. It gives dad and mom with particular rights concerning their minor pupil’s instructional information, together with the power to view them, request sure adjustments, and management the disclosure of knowledge. As soon as a pupil turns 18 or begins attending a postsecondary college, the rights outlined beneath FERPA are transitioned to the coed, giving the coed management, together with limiting or eliminating parental entry to information.
There are some exceptions in FERPA concerning the discharge of information with no dad or mum’s or eligible pupil’s consent. Nonetheless, which organizations can entry the information with out consent varies based mostly on the scenario, so it’s essential to evaluate any request for legitimacy.”
8. How would you deal with it in the event you couldn’t attain the dad and mom of an at-risk pupil?
In lots of circumstances, college counselors have to interact with dad and mom as a part of offering assist to college students. Whereas some dad and mom are extremely engaged, others aren’t. At occasions, that may imply that folks received’t reply to calls or messages from you, and the hiring supervisor needs to know you could have a plan for coping with that.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“If I repeatedly tried to achieve the dad and mom of an at-risk pupil and am in the end unsuccessful, my first step can be to get help from college directors, as dad and mom could take a name from a principal or comparable authority. In that case, I’d coordinate with the administrator to rearrange an avenue for me to attach with the dad and mom.
My purpose can be to stay versatile, as the shortage of contact may very well be resulting from circumstances I’m unaware of. Because of this, I’d supply to have the dialogue every time and wherever is greatest for them, as establishing communication is extra essential than my comfort.
Ought to that show ineffective, I’d discover different avenues. For instance, if there was an upcoming parent-teacher convention, I’d coordinate with the academics to create a chance for me to talk with the dad and mom. If I’m capable of attain different relations, I’d strive that method, as effectively.”
9. What would you want to perform throughout your first 30 days on the job?
With this query, the hiring supervisor is attempting to gauge a handful of issues. Together with assessing your normal imaginative and prescient, they need to see when you’ve got a plan that might in the end show you how to succeed.
Whereas it looks as if you must talk about adjustments you’d make or numerous methods that would profit the scholars, it’s typically higher to steer off your reply with one thing else. Usually, your major purpose initially must be to get to know the scholars, permitting you to see what adjustments or methods may be helpful.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“Throughout my first 30 days on the job, my major focus can be on attending to know the scholars, each as a complete and as people. Studying concerning the college’s present tradition firsthand will give me essential insights, permitting me to find out which methods may go greatest.
Moreover, I’d work to ascertain an organizational system that may guarantee I can discover essential data with ease. Lastly, I’d familiarize myself with the assorted assets within the space which are accessible to college students. That can assist me decide what assist mechanisms are at their disposal, permitting me to make sounder suggestions.”
10. Should you witnessed any bullying, what would you do?
Faculty counselors typically have obligations relating to making sure bullying incidents are addressed. Because of this, the hiring supervisor could ask this query to see when you’ve got a plan for fast intervention and any wanted follow-up.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“If I witness an incident of bullying, my first step is to intervene. My normal method is calm however authoritative, guaranteeing that the scholars who’re doing the bullying know that the habits is unacceptable.
Subsequent, I’d schedule occasions to fulfill with the entire concerned college students. For the coed that was focused by bullies, my foremost purpose can be to assist them heal after the occasion, in addition to develop instruments that may assist them both keep away from or navigate comparable conditions.
Then, I’d meet with the scholars who had been doing the bullying. Together with reasserting that such habits is unacceptable, I’d converse with them to try to decide what spurred their actions. At occasions, the underlying trigger is sudden, so speaking with them may give me essential insights.
Lastly, I’d mediate a dialogue between the scholars with the purpose of stopping such occasions from occurring once more. The precise method would differ relying on the character of the scenario, however the intention can be to revive a stage of peace, guaranteeing that they’ll coexist with out incident.”
5 Good Inquiries to Ask on the Finish of a Faculty Counselor Interview
Once you get to the tip of your college counselor interview, you’ll sometimes get an opportunity to ask the hiring supervisor some questions. By having clever questions prepared, you may collect extra insights concerning the place and faculty. Plus, it helps you come throughout as engaged, making you a stronger candidate.
With that in thoughts, listed below are 5 good inquiries to ask on the finish of a college counselor interview:
-
- What’s the largest problem this college faces in the present day, and the way can the brand new college counselor assist resolve it?
- How would you describe the tradition at this college?
- Are the dad and mom of scholars right here usually engaged and concerned? If not, what obstacles to dad or mum involvement are most typical?
- What’s the student-to-school counselor ratio at this college?
- Are there any upcoming adjustments on the college that the brand new counselor ought to pay attention to?
Placing It All Collectively
At this level, you must have a stable thought of methods to method college counselor interview questions. Use the entire data above to your benefit. That approach, you’re extra more likely to impress.
—
Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and profession professional and the pinnacle author at TheInterviewGuys.com.
His recommendation and insights have been shared and featured by publications equivalent to Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and extra in addition to instructional establishments such because the College of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.
Study extra about The Interview Guys on our About Us web page.
