APPLICATION #1 Put time and effort into your application Make a statement from the beginning. Get your resume and cover letter reviewed by the career center and/or your RA. Provide thoughtful, creative, and grammatically correct responses to the application questions. #2 Show your ability to be a good leader Remember that leadership is not about always taking full control and making your voice heard. It is important to make valuable contributions, but it is equally important to acknowledge that there are other opinions in your group. Take time to listen to your group members and attempt to implement their ideas, that is the sign of a truly great leader. #3 Team-work Being a team player is an essential part of being a staff member of Residential Life. The activities in the group interview process are designed specifically to highlight your ability to work well with others in completing a task. Maintain your composure, find your functionality in the group and work with others to achieve the goal. Don’t be afraid to work with others and acknowledge their contributions. Individual Interview #4 Utilize your resources The career center is extremely useful. Schedule a mock interview to practice potential interview question and the career center will review your answers and tell you what you did well and how you can improve. This is useful not just for the RA interview process but also give you the confidence for any interview you do in the future. #5 BE CREATIVE, STAND OUT The individual interview is the last chance you have to leave a lasting impression and wow the Residential Life staff that are conducting your interview. This is a much more intimate setting with you, one complex director, and one current RA. Make yourself memorable, because the Res Life staff will conduct hundreds of interviews for just a few openings, you want to make yourself stand out so that when they are choosing the new RA’s they remember you. The best way to stand out is to be creative, make your presentation interactive, and let it show some personality. Refrain from making an “about me” slide-show. #6 Practice, practice, practice The staff conducting your interview can tell whether or not you prepared. If you put forth the effort to practice, it will show that you not only care about getting the position but also will show effort while in the RA role. Make sure you practice in front of friends, family, RA’s, etc. #7 Be confident We are not searching for flaws. As your interviewers, all we want is for you to succeed. Remember that we are rooting for you and there is no need to be nervous in front of us! Strut your stuff and show off how well you have prepared for this interview. Crush it! The more confidence you show, the more you will stick out in our minds as a great potential candidate! FINAL OVERALL ADVICE #8 Put your heart into it, show your true self Be yourself. Don’t put up a façade just to be who you think we are looking for. We strive for a diverse group of individuals with varying personalities. Be honest with yourself and with us during your interview because it will show authenticity and that goes a long way! #9 To quote Michelle Obama… Authors note* Do NOT be discouraged if you don’t get the job the first time around. It’s a
rigorous interview process with hundreds of competitive applicants. I applied for the RA job twice and got put on the “alternate list” both times. I was given the opportunity to learn and grow on my own before taking on this huge responsibility. I am confident that I’m a better RA now because of it. Count your blessings and know that you gave it your all. Never give up! ☺♥ -RA Macie
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