Here's how you can prepare for a Higher Education interview.

I mean, if you haven't fully researched the company, do you really want to work there? Higher ed is different here because in higher ed jobs, you should understand what the job does in relation to the academic stakeholders. These stakeholders are almost always faculty, students, or alumni. If you understand what the job does to serve those groups, you're going a long way on the interview. If you can bill yourself as the answer to the questions the posted job poses to address academic stakeholders, you will have a strong interview and maximize your chances of hire.

: Personal narratives add depth and authenticity to your job interviews. By reflecting on your experiences, you can: - **Demonstrate Value**: Showcase how your unique skills and background make you the ideal candidate. - **Build Connections**: Share stories that resonate with interviewers on a human level, creating a stronger connection. - **Highlight Growth**: Emphasize how challenges you've faced have contributed to your professional development. - **Convey Passion**: Let your enthusiasm for the field shine through, showing interviewers your genuine interest and motivation. By weaving your personal story into the interview conversation, you create a memorable and persuasive presentation of your candidacy.

I just talked about this. "Be the answer". You have to build that in a narrative. It's ironic I talk about narratives in my college admissions consultation work but it's the same principle. "Hey place, take me because I come from 'A,B,C', and because of this I do 'D,E,F,J,M,N,Q'". Done on purpose because you can get hired without checking every box. You want to check the biggest ones but if you can show that the boxes you check make you the answer to the question, then the question of "Will you take me?" is most likely to be "Yes."

Preparing questions could be very helpful for practicing. These days many available AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini etc. can be of very help in preparing such questions for your interview. Once you have the questions, you can make personalized answers for these questions.

After the interview do not neglect to send a thank you note. This can be sent via email, but consider writing one by hand and mailing it or dropping it off. A handwritten note of gratitude with mention of a few specifics about the interview is especially well received by a hiring committee. You can even send personalized notes to each committee member. A thank you note suggests something important about your character and the thoughtfulness and personal regard you will bring to your working relationships.

Preparing for interviews one should always keep the Murphy's law in back their mind. Double check everything you need before the day of interview let it be documents or technology. If the interview is online make sure that you have backup internet and electric supply (this matters specially in LMICs). If it's face to face then be sure you know the address and the venue.

Body language matters. The selection panels include psychologists which are there to read the body language of the applicants and d their say carry significant weightage in the final decision. Once you have prepared for the technical aspect of the interview, and shave made sure you have everything in order for the big day, then be confident about yourself. In oriental cultures 'bragging' about oneself is considered wrong, and humbleness is praised. Interviews are neither the place nor time to be humble. Present your best self.

One tip I found useful to help calm my nerves is to remember that I am also interviewing them to see if I feel like I would be a good fit. While I am not asking too many questions, I am listening for how answers are shared, what is not said, and I’m reflecting on the interviewers’ body language.