SUNY Interview Questions
& Process

It started with a phone call, then a Zoom panel interview where they asked mostly standard questions but a few unexpected ones. After that, I had an in-person interview and was given a small project to finish in under 48 hours. The in-person went well, and they asked for my references. They mentioned it would be a longer process with a decision by the end of March/early April. When I followed up, they said they were still deciding and would have an answer the first week of April. Ultimately, they ghosted me instead of giving a final decision. While most of the panel was nice, one person seemed to want to make it a 'gotcha' moment. It was a negative experience overall, especially from a place that's supposed to be prestigious.

I initially applied for a job in the online programs division and went through three rounds of interviews, which included reference checks. After about a month (it was the holidays), they got back to me saying I did great but recommended me for a different role in the organization. I got an interview for this new position right away and things moved much faster. The interview itself was two and a half hours long, followed by a writing task that I'm confident I did well on. They said they'd be checking my references immediately. This time, they called after a few days to reassure me not to worry about the delay in hearing back, as they were having trouble reaching one of my four references. A few days after that, I received a poorly written, auto-generated email from a no-reply address. I tried to reach out to the director I'd been communicating with for an explanation, but I never heard back. It was a really rude and unprofessional experience.

I applied online through the SUNY Delhi website, and sent in my CV and cover letter. It's REALLY important to make it clear how you'll benefit the college and help out current staff. If you're new to academia, research and get comfortable with a Curriculum Vitae; it's not limited to one page and includes papers, presentations, expertise, and memberships. After applying, I waited over 6 weeks for a response, which is typical for academic search committees who are also teaching classes. I got an email to set up a phone interview. Their system was old and used a speakerphone, making communication difficult. Three people interviewed me with basic questions. Then, I got an email to set up a campus visit and interview. The scheduled time wasn't enough, and parts felt rushed. I had a full campus tour, which was tough in dress clothes during the summer, making me look worn out for my sample lecture. Lunch was with the whole department, and I couldn't eat because I was being asked difficult questions that needed professional answers. After lunch, my lecture was cut short because we ran late. I then had one-on-one interviews with the Division Dean, Human Resources, and the Provost. It was a whirlwind and exhausting, as these were real interviews. The focus was on what I could contribute to SUNY Delhi, what made me unique, and how I'd impact the campus and profession. You're expected to take on a workload to ease their burden, enjoy committee work and advising, and be willing to work more hours than a typical professor.

I found this programmer/analyst role on GlassDoor and was surprised by how quickly I heard back after applying, usually academia is slow. They were nice and clear about the interview, which was a committee one with four people from the unit and folks I'd work with. They told me upfront it's a new position and they're still figuring out what it'll involve, expecting to learn from candidates. They might even restructure it if their initial ideas are off. The questions were great, standard practice ones but really tailored to this job. We talked about how my skills in metadata schemas, content management systems, coding, and learning new software could fit the role's needs, rather than just my resume.