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Written assignments for CC interviews?

A reader writes in by email:

I was recently invited to interview for a tenure track community college position. Part of the interview is a prompt and written answer. I have never been asked to complete a written assignment during an interview. What kind of questions or topics are addressed in these? Is there a good way to prepare? What is expected?

I know this sort of thing is common outside of academia, but hadn’t heard of it for an academic interview until now.

Do any readers have helpful insights to share?

Posted in ,

3 responses to “Written assignments for CC interviews?”

  1. Anonymous

    In the same boat. As far as I can tell, this interview process is unique to the California community college system.
    These are good jobs if you can get them but they make you jump through a lot of hoops

    I don’t have any special insight other than digging around on Reddit threads or googling to see if anyone else out there has been through the process.

    Knowing what I know about these specific jobs, I’d be prepared to answer a question about the meaning of diversity and inclusivity to you as an educator.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    In one case I had to write had to write an essay explaining and taking a stance on a specific philosophy topic.

    Reply
  3. Anonynmous

    All CA CC’s require this. Their interview process is pretty intense and extensive. You may be asked questions during your interview about what you would do if a student in your course is experiencing a mental health crisis, or how you remediate racial inequity, or how you would deal with students getting into a heated disagreement about a sensitive topic (i.e. race, gender, etc). Anon’s comment above ‘Jumping thought a lot of hoops’ is very accurate. Their process favors people who already work in CC’s bc those people have learned all the CC ideas about student-centered teaching, which is different from how many four-years approach it. This does not mean they don’t make external hires, just that they have specific ideas about pedagogy.

    Look on reddit, look at the institution’s teaching/faculty development initiatives, etc.

    Reply

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