Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Use these questions to determine how a candidate handled situations in the past
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personal traits and cognitive skills
Why this matters
A resident assistant’s ability to do their job well hinges on being able to create a sense of trust and build meaningful relationships with the residents. If students don’t feel comfortable coming to the RA with their problems, then the RA can’t be effective in their role.
What to listen for
- Candidates should outline strategies like personally introducing themselves to all the residents and maintaining a friendly, welcoming demeanor that helps put people at ease.
- Answers should mention that they’d provide clear information about how students can contact them.
Why this matters
A resident assistant’s role is more than that of an advisor and party planner. RAs also need to keep the peace in their hall, whether it’s ensuring residents keep their dorms clean or writing up students for breaking a rule. Candidates should be aware of these less-than-glamorous aspects of the job and be ready to lay down the law when necessary—without turning students against them.
What to listen for
- Look for candidates who stress the need for making policies crystal clear so that everyone understands them.
- Ideal candidates will voice their strong belief in enforcing policies consistently so that no one feels singled out.
Why this matters
Sometimes, a student will share highly sensitive information with their RA. It’s the RA’s responsibility to keep that information confidential, unless they believe the student poses a threat to themselves or others. Candidates should be able to identify the moment at which it becomes their responsibility to share that information with others (such as the school’s counsellors) and should understand how to do it tactfully.
What to listen for
- Candidates must provide a thoughtful, responsible answer, balancing respect for the student’s privacy with concern for their safety.
- Strong answers should mention letting the student know before talking to a counselor on their behalf.
Why this matters
RAs will frequently have to negotiate conflicts between residents, like disputes over property or noise. You want to know that a candidate can act as an effective mediator, able to deescalate a heated situation to help both parties come to an agreement. If they don’t have previous work experience, they may mention a conflict between friends, since they should be able to apply the same skills to the role.
What to listen for
- Look for cues that the candidate is a great listener who does not take sides.
- Great answers will demonstrate that they’re a thoughtful problem-solver who is able to come up with solutions that everyone can get behind.
Why this matters
Students will often come to their RA first when they have an academic question. While the RA won’t always know how to answer them (they can’t know everything), a willingness to help whenever possible is important. This question will help you test for this trait, while also giving you a better sense of the candidate’s personality.
What to listen for
- Answers may cover situations like helping a younger sibling improve their class performance or helping to coach a sports team.
- Look for candidates with a compassionate, encouraging personality.
Why this matters
Some students won’t come to their RA even when they need them most. That’s why part of the RA’s job is to pay attention to unusual behavior and step in before the situation can get worse. A candidate might, for example, have noticed their image-conscious friend forgetting to wash their hair on a regular basis, indicating that they were depressed.
What to listen for
- Answers should demonstrate that the candidate is tactful and able to handle delicate situations with total confidentiality.
- Great answers may mention suggesting helpful resources to the friend after identifying what was wrong.
Why this matters
You want to know your resident assistant truly cares about their fellow students and wants to create a vibrant community for them. This question can help you get to the root of their motivation for becoming an RA. It’s okay if they say they want the experience for their resume, but this shouldn’t be their only drive for pursuing the role.
What to listen for
- Look for signs that the candidate wants to make a difference in people’s lives and is community-minded.
- Be sure you get a sense that they truly enjoy being around people—otherwise, they may not last long in the role.
Why this matters
This question helps screen for empathy and interpersonal skills. Moving to college can be a stressful experience for many students, and it’s not uncommon for some to become unhappy or even depressed about being so far away from home. A great RA will be able to comfort the student and motivate them to persevere, while also taking their mental health into account.
What to listen for
- Candidates may outline strategies like sharing personal experiences to build trust or helping the student acclimatize by getting involved in an activity or club.
- Top answers will reference pointing students toward mental health resources, like the college’s counseling center.
Why this matters
Since RAs are also students, they must be able to balance their various responsibilities effectively. A strong candidate will care about the job and be willing to put in the time and effort to do it well, without jeopardizing their studies or becoming burned out.
What to listen for
- Candidates should show an ability to meet strict deadlines and commit their time realistically.
- Top answers will cover specific time-management strategies that the candidate uses, such as keeping lists, and why they find them helpful.
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