Why are you the best academic dean for us?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example
Community Answers

The interviewer wants to know why you are the best choice for this position to see what makes you stand out from other candidates. They seek someone with the qualifications, experience, and skills to lead the academic department effectively. You must highlight your strengths and their alignment with the role's requirements. Be sure to provide specific examples of your accomplishments and how they demonstrate your ability to excel in this position. Ultimately, the interviewer wants to be convinced that you are the best candidate for the job, so be confident in your abilities and make a compelling case for why you are the right person for the role.

"I feel that being newer to my career as an academic dean gives me an advantage over many other applicants. I plan to carve out a long-term career with your university while incorporating fresh perspectives that a more tenured dean will likely not possess. In this position, I will work tirelessly to create a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters learning and growth for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances."

"I am the best academic dean for you because I am highly educated, having recently completed my PhD in Education. I would be a diverse leader for the student body, as I have traveled all over the world and speak four languages fluently. I also stand out because I have been a professor at two of the most well-respected universities in the United States."

"I was recognized as our state's most effective academic dean for four consecutive years. In my current school, I cut out a great deal of overspending while increasing fundraising dollars year after year. This has resulted in our university having a surplus of funds that the school has not seen in nearly 15 years, and I look forward to doing the same for your university. Additionally, I have worked as a professor for many years and have a deep understanding of what students need to succeed. I am dedicated to ensuring all students have access to the resources and support they need to achieve their academic goals. I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment that fosters creativity and intellectual growth. Overall, I am confident that my skills and experience make me the ideal candidate for the position of academic dean at your institution."

Anonymous Answer

"I could say that I am the best Dean for you because of my in-depth knowledge of curriculum at all levels, or my experiences in serving language learners at all levels, but that is not the best reason I'm your person. What makes me the best is my passion and love of instruction. My excitement and my ability to motivate others, as well as my ability to think outside the box to meet student needs, are qualities that will make me a great Dean."

Kevin's Feedback

Highly impressive how you solidified the fact that you’re qualified through experience, while adding in more heartfelt reasons why you’re the best for the job. This answer is well rounded and will make an impact on the interviewer. Take a look at how I’ve adjusted your answer to drive the marks of your success home.

"There are many qualified individuals who also share my in-depth knowledge of curriculum at all levels, and my experience serving language learners at all levels. But I feel what sets me apart is my overwhelming passion and love of instruction. My excitement and my ability to motivate others, as well as my ability to think outside the box to meet student needs, are qualities I feel too many in the job are missing. Whether they’re burnt out in the jobs or they're just doing it for the money, I have a genuine passion for my work, and find my career most rewarding. There might be others who share this as well, but I identify these points as some of what sets me apart."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"My skill sets and experience are the perfect matches for the job requirements. As a former Dean of the School of Business, my work ethic makes me an ideal candidate for the position. For example, I led my Business program through its reaffirmation of accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP) single handily. Upon the review of the On-site Team of Evaluators, the program was reaffirmed of its accreditation. Moreover, I upgraded graduation requirements that gave confidence to our students that they could compete on the graduate level and I also mentored junior faculty to become Major Coordinator, Department Chairs as well as Deans."

Kevin's Feedback

Excellent response! It is evident that your professional experience aligns very well with this role, and you're able to provide specific examples to illustrate this. I've modified your answer for clarity and flow.

"This opportunity is very much in line with my career goals and aspirations. As a former Dean of the School of Business, I single handily led my Business program through its reaffirmation of accreditation through the ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs). I upgraded graduation requirements to encourage our students to compete on the graduate level. I mentored junior faculty to become Major Coordinator, Department Chairs as well as Deans. I feel my work ethic, skill sets and experience makes me a well suited candidate for the position."

Anonymous Answer

"I would say I'm the best dean for the College of Marin because I am highly educated and bring a wealth of experience in both administration and teaching. While I don't come from a community college background, I have gone from a public but privileged institution in my early career to a private but pell-grant (40% of our students are Pell-grant) eligible institution. This has honed my skills in working with diverse groups in the classroom and in my office."

Cindy's Feedback

No doubt! Outline the "whys" behind your assertion and help it "live" for the interviewer.

Anonymous Answer

"I feel that as your Academic Dean and being newer in my career, I could offer different perspectives, outlooks, and understand what students are dealing with in today's academic environment."

Stephanie's Feedback

That's wonderful that you would bring new perspectives and an understanding of the student population--these are important traits for an academic dean to have! Since you have so much professional experience in non-academic environments, you may want to consider highlighting that and what you've learned from other spaces that you'd translate into this role. After all, it sounds like you're not actually new in your career, just in this particular career. Don't be afraid to highlight the skills you've learned in other places.

Anonymous Answer

"I can hit the ground running. I have a clear vision for this engineering program at CSU because I know its strengths and weaknesses and how THIS college fits into the region and within the CSU strategic themes of CSU 2.0. Because I know the strengths and weaknesses, and I know the people and structures here and in the community, I can develop the strategies to progress quickly towards this vision. And, I have experience at all levels of the college, as a well-respected teacher, a funded researcher, academic associate dean, department chair, and interim dean, with accomplishments at each level."

Chad's Feedback

Great answer! Highlighting your experience in various roles, as well as showcasing your institutional knowledge by referencing the CSU 2.0 plan, is a smart approach to take in response to this question, and will make an impact on the interviewer. To further strengthen your answer and position yourself as a top candidate, consider elaborating on a specific strategy you would implement to address a weakness of the college. If you would like to read more about answering this question ("Why should we hire you?"), we have a guide that you may find helpful - https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How to Answer: Why Should We Hire You?/

Anonymous Answer

"1)my experience in various areas

2)my outstanding funding and research records

3)my education, training in various cultures

4)my experience in management and administration

5)most importantly, my passion, motivation, and my dedication"

Chad's Feedback

This is a great start. It sounds like you have a wealth of related professional experience to draw upon, but your answer is lacking the details that would help you stand out from the crowd and position yourself as a top candidate for the job. To increase the impact of this response, highlight how your experience, education, funding, and research records, will benefit the institution if you are hired. We have a guide that you may find helpful in crafting your response to this type of question ("Why should we hire you?") - https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How to Answer: Why Should We Hire You?/

How to Answer: Why are you the best academic dean for us?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Academic Dean job interview.

16. Why are you the best academic dean for us?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Written by Krista Wenz on June 9th, 2023

Entry Level Example

Written by Krista Wenz on June 9th, 2023

Answer Example

Written by Krista Wenz on June 9th, 2023

Experienced Example

Written by Krista Wenz on June 9th, 2023

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Kevin's Feedback

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

Kevin's Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Cindy's Feedback

No doubt! Outline the "whys" behind your assertion and help it "live" for the interviewer.

Anonymous Answer

"I feel that as your Academic Dean and being newer in my career, I could offer different perspectives, outlooks, and understand what students are dealing with in today's academic environment."

Stephanie's Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Chad's Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Chad's Feedback

Next Question