How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you improved communication between yourself and a colleague, student, or faculty.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Academic Dean job interview.
7. Tell me about a time when you improved communication between yourself and a colleague, student, or faculty.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Possessing the skills to improve communication in the workplace is a precious asset. As an academic dean, you will work closely with faculty, staff, and students, and you must communicate clearly and effectively with diverse groups. Being able to provide an example of when you successfully improved communication with others demonstrates your ability to work collaboratively and your commitment to achieving positive outcomes. It can also show that you can adapt to different communication styles and solve complex problems. Give an example where you improved communication by describing the situation, what measures you took to improve communication, and the result.
Talk to the interviewer about your ability to enhance communication in the workplace.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 6th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"In my previous position, I had a professor who kept missing important email updates that I had sent out. This was causing some issues in our work, as they would often be working off outdated information. Instead of getting frustrated or upset, I decided to try a different approach.
I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the professor to discuss the issue. During the meeting, I explained how important it was for us to be on the same page and how their missing email updates were causing some problems. I asked if there was anything I could do to help improve the situation.
The professor acknowledged that they had been struggling to keep up with their email inbox and suggested that we have a weekly check-in meeting to review any critical updates or changes. This way, they wouldn't miss anything important, and we could ensure that we were both up-to-date on everything we needed to know.
Since implementing this solution, our communication has improved significantly, and we haven't had any issues with missed updates. It shows that sometimes the best way to improve communication is to have an open and honest conversation about the problem."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"In my current position, I have one particular board member who is an exceptionally brief communicator. If I ask two questions, he will answer just one. I learned quickly that he would not acknowledge anything he did not have a direct answer for. I began to ask him questions in a different way. For example, I will say, 'Do you have an answer for me on question X?' and he will say yes or no. We then go from there. This is a useful method of communication for that particular individual."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 6th, 2023
Experienced Example
"Before becoming an academic dean, I had a student struggling in one of my classes. I knew that effective communication was key to helping this student succeed, so I made a point to reach out to them and ask how they were doing. We had a few conversations where I listened to their concerns and offered advice on how to improve their study habits. I also checked in with them regularly to see how they were progressing. By taking the time to communicate with this student and offer support, I was able to help them overcome their challenges and ultimately succeed in my class. It was a rewarding experience to see how effective communication can impact a student's academic success."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 6th, 2023
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